Khanyi parties on

No food, no cake, no celebs and a cash bar, but Juju saved the night for the birthday girl. So thank goodness for the Metro FM Awards nominations

Event organisers upped the ante with guest lists that delivered the bling and the bubbly, along with some big names, at functions around Johannesburg this week.

Kicking off the week's social calendar on Tuesday was a Rotary Club function at which former president Thabo Mbeki's brother, Moeletsi Mbeki, and Vusi Pikoli were honoured. And the week ended on a high with a recently missing-in-action Juju being the lone celeb surfacing for Khanyi Mbau's pre-birthday bash on Thursday night.

Mbau, sporting an omg, Jacobs & Co watch, held a not-so-private party at club Set in Rosebank ahead of her 26th birthday yesterday.

There were more fans than actual celebs, thanks to an open invite posted on the club's website . Risky, methinks, and perhaps local celebs agreed, since very few were spotted . Is this the end of Khanyi Mbau? Last year, she held an Oscar-themed party attended by the who's who of celebs and Powerville.

I wondered if the absence of big names was a letdown for the socialite. Perhaps someone pouted and made a quick call to get Juju to show his face shortly before her arrival.

Guests, many clad in hot pants and miniskirts - mostly not in good taste - went briefly silent as Malema arrived, along with ANC Youth League spokesman Floyd Shivambu, and made his way to a VIP section. The pair were spotted downing Johnny Walker Blue.

Mbau, dressed in a short floral number by Jeff, arrived just before midnight - no beau in sight. Heard the gal is single at the moment. Her entourage was made up of 12 people, some of them guys in stilettos, weaves and very tacky outfits.

She headed upstairs to hug Juju and then headed back downstairs to hit the dance floor with her BFFs and hangers-on.

She dished out orders - Moët instead of Verve - and rearranged the seating for the party at her private corner, with everyone clearly happy to oblige so her flavour of the moment could sit next to her.

Her hairdresser, Zoya Lucille, said one never knew who her flavour of the month was . "This week, you might get called to accompany her somewhere, and next week it will be someone else."

By the way, her older sis, Thandeka, who was acting more like a chaperone, seemed star-struck, but she looked lovely in a red chiffon cocktail dress.

But the occasion was more like a night out at a club than a party - no food, a cash bar and not even a birthday cake! Apparently she doesn't want to put on weight. Although a largely cheapskate affair, people seemingly had lots of fun.

Perfect vibe

It was a very different picture at the Metro FM Awards nominations announcement party on Wednesday, which was attended by Kabelo Mabalane, new kid on the block Zahara and DJ S'bu, among others.

There was plenty to eat and drink, and I particularly enjoyed the oriental rice and beef strips served in small white bowls. Although the night started very slowly with mostly B-listers, the big names - like DJ S'bu, Glen Lewis and Unathi - all arrived fashionably late, about two hours after the 7pm starting time.

The vibe was perfect for the do, which required guests to dress strictly fashionably sexy. MC Carol Ralefeta broke her silver sandals on the black carpet, and cleverly, I thought, announced that this was the reason her shoes on stage didn't match her cocktail dress.

DJ S'bu, who looked good in his stonewashed jeans and crisp white shirt, seemed quite protective of his new gold mine, Zahara. I am sure she will be walking away with more than two awards at the Metro FM Awards function next month.

She has been nominated for song of the year for Loliwe, best-produced album, best newcomer and best female, as well as for the hit single award for Lengoma, on which she collaborated with DJ S'bu.

Lira, who didn't attend the function, has been nominated for best female vocalist, best-produced album and hit single of the year for Phakade.

Rapper AKA, otherwise known as Kiernan Forbes, was nominated for best-produced album, best hip hop, best newcomer and best collaboration for his Victory Lap remix.

Metro FM's Azania Ndoro looked chic in jeans, a cream silk camisole and leopard-print platforms. The mother of two, who was recently divorced from Tony Ndoro, plans to holiday in Mauritius with her kids this summer.

I tried to hook her up with a gorgeous gentleman, but she just quipped, "Ah, you are very naughty."

Old money

On Tuesday night, I attended the Rotary Club's Achiever of the Year dinner at Johannesburg Country Club.

The award went to Johannesburg businessman Hugh Glenister. For those who don't remember, he is the man who took the government to court for disbanding the Scorpions.

He was also a joint recipient of Rotary's Paul Harris Award with Moeletsi Mbeki, Paul O'Sullivan, the man who took down the former police commissioner, and former national director of public prosecutions Vusi Pikoli.

The four were each presented with a certificate, a medallion and a gold pin. Paul Harris founded the Rotary Club in 1905 and the award is its highest accolade.

Mbeki had more than four "in conclusions" in his speech, but O'Sullivan's account of the Selebi investigation was gripping, crime-thriller stuff.

It was never going to have the vibe of the other parties this week - lots of dark suits, old money and slightly more staid. It started with a "call to order" by MC David Crossley and ended with a raffle draw and coffee.

Guests forked out R350 for dinner, which will go to charity. We enjoyed a starter of grilled line fish with a sesame crust on a chive and lemon beurre blanc and mains of grilled pepper chicken with marinated vegetables and, oops, just two baby potatoes. The pud, a tiramisu with mocha anglaise, was yummy.