Durban - Durban might not have the snow, but that does not mean playing Father Christmas in the sweltering sub-tropical heat is a lost Claus.
Mphathi Nxumalo interviewed some Santas to find out how they keep jolly during the silly season.
BELLY ACHES
Former Durban councillor Peter Pepler is Santa at Musgrave Centre. The reason he does it is because he loves children. “They are honest and have no political agenda,” he said. On how to get the big belly synonymous with Santa, Pepler, 73, said he tucked in a pillow.
As much as Santa Claus is about increasing the cheer, there have been sad moments, he said.
A few years ago, a woman came to him with her three children. As the children were getting comfortable, another woman rushed in and told her that her husband had died in an accident.
“To see those happy faces turn into sadness rips your heart out,” he said.
There were funny moments, too. He said he became a butt of a joke when a group of children from a home came to see him and as he was about to sit down he missed the seat and landed on his backside. He said the children found it funny, but for him it hurt like hell.
Although Christmas was often commercialised, Pepler said there were still many who believed in the spirit of the holiday and showed true acts of kindness.
FIRST TIME FATHER
City View Mall’s Santa said the spirit of the season was still strong. The 72-year-old, real name Colin Azor, said the secret behind doing the job was to enjoy doing it.
He finds conversations with parents are the most memorable. Azor, a retired security guard, is playing the role for the first time this year. The grandfather of two said he had sat with children who were slightly Claus-trophobic and also enjoyed their company.
Just like Pepler, he believes there is still a strong Christmas spirit.
SANDY CLAUS
One such Santa is “Sexy Santa” from uShaka Marine World. This Santa, real name Stanley Okwulieaku, said the atmosphere was the best part for him. “People go to the beach and want to see a sexy Santa and not a North Pole one,” the 28-year-old said.
Okwulieaku said ladies wanted to touch his rock-hard abs. “Some guys also want to sit on my lap,” he added.
To keep people happy, Sexy Santa’s body ensures he has no low elf-esteem. The babe-sleigher gets help from his elves, the beautiful Tinsel and Mistletoe.
Tinsel, 19, real name Tanielle Lambert, said she was having a blast being Tinsel.
She described herself as “sparkly” and was willing to give people who came to take pictures a case of Tinselitis.
Mistletoe said it was the families and how they interacted with each other that intrigued her the most.
Mistletoe, real name Ayanda Kunene, said: “The guys have been shy and are intimidated by Sexy Santa because he has a lot of muscle on him.” She said some men did not want to take pictures with the helpers.
Daily News