There is a certain level of fame attached to an assignment like covering the Hefer Commission.

Most of the time, loved ones, friends, acquaintances and even complete strangers want to know the story behind the story. But, in the instance of the Hefer Commission, they all have only one question: is advocate Kessie Naidu SC as attractive in real life as he is on TV?

Naidu, it seems, has a loyal following of fans who watch television not so much to be enlightened about who spied on whom, but in anticipation of the learned counsel taking off his glasses and saying: "Mr Maharaj, you are not answering my question."

(I need to add here that this growing group of fans includes my own mother, who, from what I know of my father, has excellent taste in men.)

The leader of evidence, it seems, is also the leader in the popularity stakes under female viewers of the commission.

Unlike the other advocates or retired judge Joos Hefer, the Naidu fan club calls the said senior counsel by his first name.

From what I could glean, the great attraction lies somewhere between the voice, the attitude and his whole image. (There were a few other opinions that I would rather keep to myself - and no, Mr Naidu, a subpoena would not help.)

With acknowledgements to Estelle Ellis and The Star.