Tycoon’s super sweet R700 000 bash
2010-10-24 13:00
It’s probably going to be the most talked about party in Johannesburg until Christmas.
Businessman Kenny Kunene’s 40th birthday party on Thursday night even had ANCYL president Julius Malema, not one to miss a good party, forgetting his political woes to come out and have a jol. And the bill: R700 000 in just one night.
The guest list itself was a gold-digger’s dream. Some of the big names included Zuma’s main man, Zizi Kodwa, comedian David Kau, DJ Sbu, Big Nuz, L’vovo and DJ Tira, Khanyi Mbau, and many filthy rich BEE men and women.
Everything looked like a scene from MTV’s My Super Sweet 16, except that this scene was what Metro FM’s Fistas Mixwell called “My Super Sweet 40th”.
Held at Kunene and his partner Gayton McKenzie’s popular Sandton club Zar at The Radisson Hotel, the party was the definition of bling and debauchery. Compared to Mbau’s three-day parties last week, Kunene’s exclusive party on Thursday night made the socialite’s event look like a tea party.
“My birthdays were never celebrated when I was growing up, mainly because we couldn’t afford it. My grandfather taught me that if you’re going to invite people to your event, make sure they get the best,” said the host.
The entrance to the hotel was littered with fancy sports cars belonging to the guests.
The 300 invited guests (most of them with deep pockets) were instructed to wear all-white ensembles, with a splash of colour.
Those who didn’t were bounced at the door regardless of who they were. Most guests simply went home to change into their virginal whites and returned to the party. Kunene arrived fashionably late in a limousine (his own sports car was already parked), while the guests on the 13th floor waited for him.
He made his grand entrance with a group of scantily clad girls hanging onto his arms and posed for pictures. However, the minute the DJ played what can be assumed to be his favourite song, All I Do Is Win by DJ Khaled, Kunene dropped the girls like hot potatoes. He ran excitedly into the room, danced and popped a bottle of champagne – Grand Prix winner-style – and sprayed it all around.
According to the event organiser, Stephens Nkwana of Beat27 Media, there were 66 bottles of Dom Pérignon, 36 bottles of Cristal and 32 bottles of 18-year-old Chivas Regal. They even launched the new Ed Hardy energy drink at the party. “The alcohol alone cost about R500?000,” says Nkwana.
A video camera crew captured every moment.
Big Nuz, Kunene’s favourite band, performed while Professor unleashed his latest hit track, Jezabel, for the dancing crowd. Malema couldn’t stay away from the dance floor and danced with some of the women (otherwise known as Girls of the BEE Mansion) who threw themselves at him.
Most of the guests left the party in the early hours of the morning despite the fact that Kunene stated on the invitation card that it would end at 8am.
Clearly, 40 is the new 20 for this loaded businessman.
- City Press