THE Lusaka Polo Club today hosts the fourth edition of the Lusaka July. The glamorous event is a copy of the South African Durban July Handicap, a thorough bred horse race held annually on the first Saturday of July since 1897 at Greyville Racecourse in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. The Durban July is South Africa’s premier horse racing event and currently offers a purse of R4.25 million (approximately US$288,000).
The Zambian version, which is being organised by PR Girl Media, will be held from noon until 10pm. The polo-fashion event dubbed Zambia’s version of the Met Gala has everyone watching out for the best of fashion displays. The event has attracted many prominent figures and socialites in previous years and the fourth edition promises not to disappoint.
This year’s event has on its cards various local celebrities including Shadaya, Macky 2, Ruff Kid and Mampi, as well as Zimbabwean socialite Pokello Nare, who is the special celebrity guest.
“The Lusaka July 2019 was introduced under the fashion theme ‘21st Century Garden’, a theme which the guests will interpret through their outfits. The event offers a live polo match, jazz band, and orchestra and fashion showcases as entertainment. Local designers Esnoko, Nkanda Yathu and Fay Designs will showcase at the event with Namibian designer Melissa Poulton and South Africa’s George Malelu as the international designers,” reads the statement from PR Girl Media.
Meanwhile, organisers have this year introduced a corkage fee for those who want to bring in their own beverages into the event.
Monde and Chishimba Nyambe, founders of Lusaka July, encouraged attendees to bring their own beverages at a corkage fee of K100 per bottle, saying food will be catered for by the Horse Shoe Restaurant.
“We plan to make the event accessible to more people hence the introduction of the standard ticket last year and the corkage fee in 2019,” said the founders.
“Tickets to the event are available from The Wine Shop at a standard entry fee of K300 and a VIP ticket cost of K800, which gives access to the exclusive lounge, including a three course complimentary meal.”