President Cyril Ramaphosa’s 34-member cabinet has turned the latest register of members’ interests into a liquor logbook.
Of all the members, Sunday World counted 76 bottles of alcohol received as gifts. Three others scored only entertainment tickets, where champagne usually flows.
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen is the cabinet’s undisputed wine king.
His register shows 12 bottles of wine from Cape Point Vineyards, another 12 assorted bottles from winemaker Tim Hutchinson, and a staggering 24 bottles of pinotage from the Pinotage Association for trade promotion with China.
Steenhuisen leads the charts with his collection of 48 bottles. Unlike most colleagues, Steenhuisen’s gifts have no declared value.
The unknown figures make it difficult to tally the total worth of his haul, but the sheer volume secures him the cabinet’s biggest private cellar, enough to see him through many political debates uncorked.
Lamola boasts global haul
Foreign Relations Minister Ronald Lamola follows with a global haul.
He bagged Nemiroff De Luxe Vodka from Ukraine, Gere Villányi Franc wine from Hungary, Don Papa rum from the Philippines, and Glenfiddich single malt from Zimbabwe.
Yemen added Poliakov Vodka with Chivas Regal, while Georgia sent Telavi Wine Cellar vintage with grape chacha vodka.
Japan threw in Johnnie Walker Black Label, Assupol gifted Glenfiddich 15 Year Single Malt, and China provided Ningxia Changyu Longyu dry red wine.
In total, Lamola declared 11 bottles of whisky, wine, vodka, and rum valued at over R10 000, creating a diplomatic drinks cabinet with an international flavour.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber’s stash may not rival Steenhuisen’s count, but his 12 bottles score in value. He reported receiving two boxes of wine, each containing six bottles.
The stash is valued at R6 876 and was presented by a well-wisher “to express appreciation for the work I do and the progress we have made as a department”.
Mashatile’s refined collection
Deputy President Paul Mashatile also boasts a refined collection. His register lists Thelema.
The collection includes a Mint Cabernet Sauvignon paired with Lindor chocolates (worth R1 000) from China’s Trade Council, a bottle of wine and bowl from Japan (worth R2 000), and Hibiki Suntory whisky paired with an Edo glass (worth R2 000).
In total, Mashatile took home three prized bottles.
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille declared a lighter pour. Among fabrics and souvenirs, one gift stood out: Amazonian Kachaca spirits valued at R800, which were presented during the G20 Tourism Ministerial Meeting.
The Brazilian cane spirit, best known in caipirinhas, gave her register a cocktail twist amid international diplomacy.
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy landed at the bottom of the booze table.
She received just a single bottle of wine worth R650 from the Chinese embassy, making her one of the lightest contributors to the cabinet’s alcohol stash.
Not every minister scored bottles. Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson declared no liquor but enjoyed a R1 500 hospitality ticket to the Hollywoodbets Durban July.
The glamorous horse racing event is famed for its champagne-fuelled parties, where cognac flows as freely as betting slips.
Concert and hospitality tickets
Small Business Development Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams also skipped the wine list but splashed out on entertainment.
Her register shows DStv Delicious tickets worth R85 000, Chris Brown concert tickets valued at R22 800, and soccer match tickets pegged at R6 600, perks totalling a hefty R114 000.
Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina found her register pouring juice instead of gin.
She declared four hospitality tickets to the Cape Town Jazz Festival worth R4 600, which were sponsored by the City of Cape Town, keeping her dry on liquor but rich in rhythm.
Taken together, the cabinet disclosures paint a picture of privilege poured liberally into glasses.
From Steenhuisen’s overflowing cellar to Lamola’s world whisky shelf and Mashatile’s refined trio, ministers returned from official duties with more than speeches.
Even the “dry” ministers enjoyed perks where booze rules the room.
