KwaZulu-Natal businessman Vivian Reddy is sparing no expense to celebrate his 60th birthday and the 35th anniversary of his company, Edison Power.
He is spending a whopping R10 million on a lavish two-day party on February 22, a private affair, and February 23 at uShaka
The events have taken 30 party planners four months of preparation.
The Saturday event is likely to rival the eMetro FM Awards, on the same night at the ICC.
High-profile guests invited to both birthday celebrations include President Jacob Zuma, First Lady Thobeka Mabhida-Zuma, King Goodwill Zwelithini, premiers and cabinet ministers.
Olympic superstars Chad Le Clos and Oscar Pistorius will make an appearance at the Saturday event.
Reddy promises glitz, glamour and elegance the city has never seen. “Everything is being co-ordinated here,” he said, setting his Louis Vuitton laptop bag on a table at his luxury office in Umhlanga Ridge, where he was interviewed.
The party theme, “Diamonds in the Rough”, refers to the untapped potential of the children of South Africa, says Reddy, who also plans to entertain disadvantaged children.
The celebrations will kick off on his birthday on the Friday with a private party at his Umhlanga home, where he will entertain 150 guests.
Guests have received an invitation in the form of an oak box containing four Italian Champagne glasses and a R1 000 bottle of Moët & Chandon, with an eight-page brochure detailing his life.
The guests invited to the exclusive party will include Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Miss SA Marilyn Ramos, business tycoon Patrice and Precious Motsepe, and former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo.
Reddy is said to have booked out the Beverly Hills Hotel in Umhlanga to accommodate guests who will attend the party at his home.
“He wanted to bring Tina Turner, but decided it was not worth paying her R6 million,” said an insider.
The cuisine at Reddy’s palatial home will include sushi, Italian, fusion and grills. MasterChef SA winner Deena Nai-doo will do special dishes and co-ordinate the function, and has created an ice sculpture.
For the bigger extravaganza on the Saturday, Reddy has booked out uShaka Marine World to entertain 10 000 disadvantaged children, accompanied by 500 trained child minders. This will cost R5 million.
“Our children are Diamonds in the Rough with overwhelming potential to succeed given the opportunity, and socially responsible business needs to create this,” said Zuma’s backer.
The children will share a 1.2 ton birthday cake baked by Previn Naidoo of the Baking Pan in Overport.
“The cake will have a special police escort to the venue, because it is delicate. We want all the children to get a slice,” said Reddy.
The children will be treated to an all-day educational puppet and dolphin show. “They will also get a chance to interact with Zuma, the king and Zweli Mkhize,” said Reddy.
As the sun sets, more invited Durbanites will put on their best outfits for another party that will start with high tea followed by dinner at uShaka’s Moyo restaurant.
Guests will be seated in a glass marquee above the promenade. Moyo executive chef Brett Cronje has created an African-inspired menu.
Asked why the elaborate celebrations, Reddy laughed and said: “Maybe because I have more money now. Seriously, my turning 60 and the company celebrating 35 years are milestones. I am a businessman, I love entertaining and making people feel special, so I want to celebrate in style.”
