Reddy’s R390 000 birthday gift

Vivian Reddy accepts his birthday present, a very exclusive Franck Muller watch, from wife Sorisha Naidoo. The businessman and philanthropist birthday boy shares his birthday cake. Picture: Khaya Ngwenya/City Press

Billionaire’s bash ropes in top-class guests

What’s the perfect present for the man who has, literally, everything?

If you’re Durban billionaire and presidential pal Vivian Reddy, it’s a R390 000 Franck Muller Las Vegas watch, complete with roulette wheel.

At a private party for 200 close friends and associates on Friday night, Reddy’s wife, actress Sorisha Naidoo, presented her hubby with the ultra-bling timepiece.

Reddy’s guests at the classy affair at his Umhlanga estate included Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini and Queen Thandi, Cabinet ministers Malusi Gigaba, Jeff Radebe and Hlengiwe Mkhize, Free State Premier Ace Magashule and SA Revenue Service commissioner Oupa Magashula.

Durban Mayor James Nxumalo was in attendance, as was Hindu leader Ashwin Trikamjee.

President Jacob Zuma was unable to attend because he was out of the country on government business.

The president was represented by First Lady Tobeka Madiba.

Guest invites consisted of a boxed bottle of Moët champagne with crystal glasses.

Reddy, wearing a black shirt and trousers and a white coat, described his gift as “amazing’’.

He grinned broadly as speakers, including Naidoo, paid tribute to him as a businessman and philanthropist.

Naidoo wore a backless white silk dress by Durban designer Haroun Hansrot.

Guests were treated to an amazing range of food arranged in themed stalls around the deck surrounding the mansion’s pool.

Dishes ranged from sushi – served from a bar created from a 2m block of ice – to Indian, Italian and local dishes.

The menu and party were planned by Reddy’s wife, Sorisha, and MasterChef winner Deena Naidoo, who spent the evening flitting between stations making sure that guests’ tastes were all catered for.

Top-shelf liquor flowed, but at a sedate pace, with the formalities ending relatively early.

Tables were decorated with orange and red flowers. Reddy’s 1.2m birthday cake was modelled on his prized white Bentley.

Naidoo said she had been “dying’’ to buy her husband, who also owns Breitling and Patek Philippe watches – one of which he lost – the Muller watch for more than a year.

Reddy said he had wanted to buy himself the watch when he first saw it, but had decided against it because it was too extravagant.

His birthday weekend continued at Durban’s uShaka Marine World yesterday when he hosted a huge bash for thousands of children.