Omeshnie Naidoo
The big question in Durban’s society circles at the moment is what to wear to businessman and philanthropist Vivian Reddy’s 60th birthday bash at uShaka tomorrow.
In an interview with The Mercury Reddy chuckled when he said he knew many of his female guests were nervous wrecks as they planned their outfits for the highlight of Durban’s social calendar this year.
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Some of my friends have been telling me their better halves are intimidated by the magnitude of the event,” he said.
And big it will be. Reddy has teams working around the clock to erect a 40m2 stage inside a glass marquee at uShaka and baking a 5m-long, 2m- high cake. This will be shared with 10 000 disadvantaged children who will be hosted at the sealife park on the day.
“Each child must have a slice of cake so it has to be large,” said Reddy over the phone, while he was being fitted for a blue, black and white suit.
Reddy’s wife, actress and radio personality Sorisha Naidoo, has entrusted her outfit to local designer Haroun Hansrot.
He suggests guests take their cue from the seaside venue rather than taking the theme “diamonds in the rough” too literally.
“The theme refers to Africa’s children and their great potential, it is not necessarily calling for bling which might be at odds with a high tea setting. The event is also transitional, going from high tea into dinner and then a night club,”
he said.
The designer said the event, which also marks the anniversary of Reddy’s business, Edison Power, has a corporate edge and gents should dress for networking.
Meanwhile Naidoo, with Masterchef Deena Naidoo, is planning a private bash at their Durban North mansion the night before the public do.
“Ice sculptures, a macaroon bar and cigar lounge are the tip of the iceberg,” she said.
Her gift would be a surprise collectable for the man who prizes cigars, chess, whiskies, ties and cuff links which he collects from all over the world.
Reddy, who wouldn’t give away too much about his party, said guests ought to wear their dancing shoes.
In 2003, at his 50th birthday party, and the 25th anniversary of Edison Power, he converted an ICC hall into a power station with giant pylons.
