MUCH chatter at the Mahogany Ridge concerning the sale of the luxury pile-in-progress belonging to Julius Malema, the economic freedom fighter and gentleman farmer currently in a spot of bother with the tax man.
Admittedly, we know little about Norman Tloubatla, the 44-year-old businessman who bought the half-finished Sandown mansion for R5.9 million at Thursday's auction other than that he is the chief executive of a company that makes road signs and that he paid way, way too much for the place, which was expected to be knocked down for between R4m and R4.5m.
Was it recklessness, or did Tloublatla intend going large with the attention-seeking extravagance that is customary with the arriviste classes? He does, after all, drive a Porsche Panamera, a vehicle suggestive of exaggerated self-importance. Or perhaps, more intriguingly, be bought the place on behalf of a third party, and with their money? Who can say?
There were reports that, like Malema, Tloubatla was also from Seshego, in Limpopo, and that the two had known each other since childhood. Malema has, however, firmly stated that he has "no dealings with the buyer of the house in Sandown, and have no business, personal, or political association with him." Tloubatla, meanwhile, refused to speak to reporters at the auction.
No matter. With time all will be revealed. But until then we can pore over the building plans and speculate on the life Jelly Tsotsi envisaged amid the titz and glitz of Jozi's northern suburbs.
The mansion was not only to have a cinema, but also an "entertainment room". What they really mean is "night club". The former ANC Youth League leader believes he is something a deejay and, in the past, has had scores of his closest friends over to watch to him play records. Perhaps the new occupants will be more considerate and also invite the neighbours rather than have the bodyguards assault them when they complain about the noise.