Newcastle turned festive last weekend, long before Santa's arrival.

Vivian Reddy's Century Casino opened its doors last Saturday night amid much fanfare and fireworks, and some of South Africa's Who's Who donned their finery for the event.

Jacob Zuma, Winnie Madikizela- Mandela and King Goodwill Zwelithini were among those who filled the front row for the speeches.

The former deputy president brought cheer to his supporters long before he arrived in Newcastle. His cavalcade of dark BMWs ensured he got attention at the last rest stop ahead of the town. He happily waved to the crowd who gathered and sang his praises.

Even at the opening of the casino, Zuma got more than a fair share of the spotlight.

In his speech, he made reference to his trademark song, Umshini Wami, saying he couldn't wait to play the slot machines, since he's always looking for his machine!

Former first lady Madikizela-Mandela appears to have found the fountain of youth. She looked radiant in a shimmering bronze top worn over a skirt.

Also turning heads was Highveld FM DJ Sorisha Naidoo. She wore a gold sequined three-quarter dress with matching strappy heels. She's also wearing her hair much shorter these days.

Her former breakfast radio co-host, Alan Khan, was the MC. His gift of the gab again served him well, and by the end of the evening he was sharing jokes with most of the high-flying guests.

The dress code was formal or traditional.

Sport and recreation MEC Amichand Rajbansi's wife, Shameen, was again a winner in the style stakes. She chose a blue sari with silver flecks.

Someone who got it wrong was Miss India SA Nadia Vorajee. She's a stunning girl, but her plain white sari and ponytail just didn't fit the bill for a dress-up function.

However, I saw her chatting to Sorisha, who's a former Miss India SA, so I'm sure some of the pizzazz will rub off on her.

The other usual suspects on Durban's social scene who attended the event included First National Bank's provincial chairman, Bobby Madhav, and Ashwin Trikamjee, who was representing the KZN Gambling Board.

As the guests tucked into prawns and champagne, they were unaware of the commotion outside where more than 2000 gamblers gathered, hoping to win big on opening night. They damaged a glass door and broke a new fountain in their haste to get in.

• EARLIER in the week, I attended the opening night of the Philippart and Anja illusionist show at Sibaya Casino.

  Although their tricks wowed the crowd, local songbird Jae stole the limelight.

  She was so fabulous in providing entertainment between the illusions that she could have been mistaken for the headline act.

  Aside from an array of songs that illustrated her vocal range, people are still talking about the daring dress she wore for the final act.

  It was open down the front to her midriff ? la J-Lo at the Grammy Awards in 2000.

  At the pre-show cocktail function, I chatted to candidate attorney Jarrod Seethal. He revealed a gorgeous set of pearly whites when I told him one of my friends thought he was a model. He'd make a great Indian Superman with his Clark Kent glasses.

  There were plenty of creative types milling about, including Nirvash Babulall and Brendan Gabriel. They were quite talkative, which I attributed to their closeness to the drinks table. Then I realised that being a motor- mouth is a requirement if you have to think up new concepts daily.

  I also bumped into Sahara Stadium manager Sudhir Maharaj, who was relaxing after a busy few weeks. Lady Luck also smiled on him, as he won one of the lucky-draw prizes.

  I'm still recovering from the fact that ticket numbers on either side of my own were drawn.

  Sunday Times