'It's time to eat, comrades!'

Despite the large gas burners on the marble terrace, a chill wind drifting across the billionaire enclave of Steyn City meant the comrades were forced to head inside to the private room at the On Your Marx High Rollers Club.

- Brendan Seery

Butlers took their Gucci and Versace mohair and leather jackets... but not before each of the wearers had made certain the others in the room took note of his excellent taste.

All of them in the room were men - equality between the sexes hadn't yet reached into the upper levels of the ANC in the province.

There was one last ritual all observed as they sat down around the highly polished mahogany table. Trying to look casual, they deposited their car key fobs from Europe's finest brands: a Range Rover here, a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon there, a BMW 750Li or even an Audi e-Tron electric car (which, ironically, belonged to the man from City Power who had bought the plot next door for his own solar panel farm)... a Ferrari or Lamborghini.

When the butlers had returned with the crystal glasses loaded with Johnnie Blue doubles, all present got to their feet.