People’s billionaire hosts extravagant birthday bash
IT tycoon Robert Gumede celebrated his 50th birthday with some of the continent's super wealthy in the heart of the Lowveld this past weekend.
NELSPRUIT – Guests at Robert Gumede’s 50th birthday bash were treated to an evening nothing short of spectacular.
Fire dancers, cocktails, flamboyant barmen and a host of waitresses welcomed hundreds of guests to the grounds of the Nelspruit rugby club on Friday night.
The venue was unrecognizably transformed into a wonderland of bright lights, hanging gardens and exaggerated décor.
His lavish birthday celebrations were spread over four days.
During that time the former Kabokweni resident gave back to his people in true Gumede style through a family day celebration, a golf day, a black tie dinner party and an adventure camp for the youth.
A “mahala” hip-hop concert featuring American megastars Rick Ross and Keith Sweat rounded off festivities on Saturday.
Many local “celebrity A-listers” were noticed at the dinner on Friday night including Mogi Naidoo and husband Vivian Reddy, former Mbombela mayor Lassy Chiwayo, Mathews Phosa and struggle veteran, Gibson Thula.
The guests were treated to a lavish dinner, a biographical play and a jazz performance by Judith Sepuma.
The IT billionaire was one of seven children raised in Kabokweni by his single mother, Keni, after whom he later named his luxurious private jet.
Adding credentials to the term humble beginnings, Gumede worked as a petrol attendant and gardener after school to supplement Keni’s income and help support his siblings.
He later obtained a Dip Juris qualification from the University of Zululand and after serving as state prosecutor in Nelspruit for five years, made the move to Johannesburg where he was introduced to big business.
In 1998 came his big break with an R800 million government communications contract and now heads the Guma empire which includes the IT giant Gijima.
He is currently ranked 82nd on the South African richest list with his stake in Gijima worth R334 million.
Gumede said he preferred to celebrate with his people in Nelspruit, unlike many contemporary businessmen who celebrate in their adopted cities or in exotic international locations.
