AFROLECTIONS
AFRICAN
FASHION AN
October 22nd 2016 would go the down in the history and memories of the Soldee Trading management and staff as a day to fondly cherish and remember. It was the company’ s second successive Annual dinner and Staff awards event. Following the inaugural edition in 2015, the company pushed up the bar with the launching of its sports, fashion and publishing subsidiaries at the event that was hosted at the 350-capacity Silverton Recreation Centre outskirts of Pretoria. Chaired by His Excellency, Mr. Kwesi Awhoi, Ghana’ s High Commissioner to South Africa, the event was attended by members of the international diplomatic corps, families, friends, suppliers and partners. Also in attendance were Mr. Geoffrey Mphatswe, Mr. South Africa top finalist, Mrs. Adele De Beer, Mrs Africa top finalist, Prophet Samuel Akinbodunse, Pastor of Freedom for All Nations and Mr. Olaniyi TheVoice Abodedele, publisher of The Nigerian Voice newspapers among other guests. Welcoming the guests to the event, Mr. Sola Solarin, the chairman thanked everyone for honouring the company with their presence. He also thanked the staff and company partners for their teamwork spirit and support throughout the year. In his address to the gathering, the Ghana High Commissioner, His Excellency Kwesi Awhoi represented by his Deputy, Hon Francis Osei Sarfo congratulated Soldee for being able to put together this kind of vision that embraces all things African. He alluded to the foremost African and Ghanian leader, Kwame Nkrumah who had the earliest vision of a united Africa as inspiration from which Africans must continue to draw strength and courage. 10 out of 55 Soldee staff members were recognised and honoured with different category of awards. Miss Nelly Galoisy was the star of the night as she won the Most Outstanding Staff of the Year and Best Department categories, while Mr. Daniel Smith and Mr. Ade jointly won the award for Innovation and Creativity. Mr. Victor Erinfolami took home the award for Accountability and Mr. Bankole was honoured with the Best Marketer of the year. An award, he considered a testament to the fact that nothing is impossible given the negative opinions that followed his relocation to South Africa. As a socially responsible company, Soldee Trading recognises and promotes talents, and it is no surprise that more than ten established and upcoming musical artistes performed at the event. Headlined by Shola Sax-the saxophonist, Morf, Rhyzo and group as well as other Afro Highlife bands, all had time on the stage to entertain guests at the event. Apart from the awards and rich African cuisine, the launch of the Soldee’ s fashion subsidiary- DIDA Clothiers- was one of the major highlights of the night with its mini fashion show. DIDA Clothiers is an Afro-centric fashion and design company, out with a mission to produce modern and smart African clothing and designs of international standards. Over 10 young African ladies and men strut the runway parading colourful, smart and casual wears and dresses made of different African prints and textile. Exciting twist at the runway was the surprise appearance of a plus-size lady and a child-boy models who exhibited the dynamics of DIDA Clothiers as designers who cater for different sizes and ages. Amidst fashion, food and music, a mercurial football juggler took the stage and held the August gathering spellbound with his football juggling skills as Soldee Football Club was officially launched by Mr. Ashleigh Mokoena, a gentleman of the South African Police Service. The pre-launch of the company’ s new addition- Afroflections magazine capped the night of glory and beauty. The magazine was launched by Honorable Francis Osei Sarfo, the Ghana Deputy High Commissioner. Shola Sax-the saxophonist dishing lyrical tunes with his saxophone with the support of the African highlife band got the crowd dancing till the wee hours of the morning.
12 AFROLECTIONS MAGAZINE FEBRUARY 2017