Excitement is mounting for tonight’s Imibala Summer Gala at Vergelegen Wine Estate outside Cape Town, which will incorporate live and silent auctions to raise funds for the Imibala Trust.
The inaugural auction raised R12 million to support the Trust’s activities, including academic, social, creative, mental, and physical programmes empowering over 87 000 impoverished children since Gaynor Rupert established the organisation in 2002. Based in Somerset West, the children can access hands-on learning and support and a comprehensive curriculum that includes everything from traditional academic education, robotics, and programming, to art, music, dance, cooking, and gardening.
Proceeds from last year’s event assisted eight young adults in performing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. They also sponsored thousands of school uniforms, three buses to transport 780 children between the 27 schools it supports weekly, a planned Imibala village in nearby Hermanus, and extended programmes on offer at the Graaff-Reinet Imibala village.
2024 Auction Highlights
There are 25 lots this year, sponsored by Imibala Trust supporters, which the organisers hope will attract spirited bidding to reach a total that exceeds the 2023 target. These are just some of the highlights of what will go under the hammer:
To celebrate Imibala Mercedes-Benz South Africa has commissioned an extremely special G-Class in the form of the G 400 d. This vehicle however has been specifically built for Imibala and features a raft of bespoke elements that set it apart from every other G-Class in the world. This Imibala Edition is a 1 of 1 G-Class. It is also finished in a Special Manufakur colour exclusive to this edition. It has never been available and will never be available again on this generation G-Class. Other highlights include the Professional exterior line which includes Roof luggage racks and Spare wheel holder, black open pore ash wood trim in the interior, Burmester surround sound and finally, exclusive Imibala design on head rests to further add to the desirability of this vehicle.
Champion Breeders Drakenstein Stud Farm along with Champion Trainer Justin Snaith, offer an exclusive opportunity to lease filly for the duration of her two and three year old career.
This lot includes:
- The lease of a racehorse, Ain’t Misbehavin’, to race in your colours for two seasons.
- All training fees for her 2yo and 3yo career with Champion Trainer Justin Snaith.
- All stakes earnings for the duration of her 2yo and 3yo career.
- All veterinary expenses and farrier costs for the duration of the lease period.
- All breaking and pre-training fees prior to her racing career at Drakenstein Stud Farm’s world-class pre-training facility. The breaking-in process is overseen by renowned Equine Behavioural Specialist Malan du Toit.
- All spelling costs in the event that the filly needs to be rested during the course of the lease period.
Other lot highlights include artworks by top South African artists, curated travel itineraries, tickets to the Wimbledon tennis finals in July 2024, a stay at Kevin Costner’s ranch in Aspen, concert tickets to see Billy Joel Live in Concert at Madison Square Garden, New York, and a one-of-a-kind Panerai Radiomir Bronzo Imibala watch.
