President Samuel Briddick was in attendance for the gala which he hoped would provide a pleasurable respite from the everyday life back in Windhoek. Accompanying Briddick was his wife, Tiffany. The two had met at Windhoek University during their tenure as graduate students. She was a short woman, considered stout by some, with short brown hair and a booming South African accent. She was very much the opposite of Briddick who was tall and lanky but equally as intelligent. She was energetic, friendly, and outgoing and much adored around Windhoek. Also in attendance, upon invitation from Briddick himself, was longtime friend Ngozi Baruti. Baruti had been the president before Briddick took office and was revered among the Republic. His appearance masked a sort of passive aggressive agenda for Briddick. Baruti’s relationship with the Emperor was strained at times during his office though never outright hostile. While Briddick was enjoying a closer partnership with the Empire, Baruti’s presence was necessary as a way of saying there will always be fundamental differences between us.
The remainder of Briddick’s party comprised of a few staff members and his Ambassador to Layarteb, Mrs. Afua Sanaa. Sanaa had been an expat practicing law in Layarteb before being tapped by Briddick to serve as ambassador. Her husband, Dzazo Sanaa, was also lawyer who had emigrated to Layarteb a few months after his wife, when her practice took off. He had joined her for the gala.
