The ClareMart Auction Group in its continued commitment as official auctioneer to the Cape Town Consular Corps was able to assist in raising R330, 000 at the second Consular Corps Ball which was hosted at Pigalle’ s Restaurant, De Waterkant, on Saturday, October 19. “Our Group assisted the Corps at their first fund raising ball in 2012 and we were able to contribute to their overall achievement of R205, 000. We are proud to be associated with this year’s even higher figure and are pleased to know that this amount will benefit many of those who are in need” says Director and auctioneer on the night, MC Du Toit.
ClareMart Auction Group Director, MC Du Toit, in action at the Consular Corps Ball on Saturday, October 19.
Charities which benefit from the gala event are Durbanville Children’s Home, the Cape Times Bursary Fund which allows disadvantaged learners to access higher education, Proud Partners which is a musical training initiative and I Am Living Trust which focuses on feeding and educating children from disadvantaged backgrounds. “We were able to assist in raising funds for these worthy causes due to the generosity of Cape Town society as well as the local and international diplomatic corps who were in attendance on the evening” says Du Toit.
Items generously donated for auction on the night included a racquet from tennis legend Roger Federer, a tea with Archbishop Emeritus, Desmond Tutu as well as a dinner for two with Premier Helen Zille at her official residence, Leeuwenhof. International bestselling author, Deon Meyer, donated a small role in his next crime box office venture and Chef Bertus Basson of Top 10 restaurant, Overture, also donated a gourmet three course dinner for eight which would be prepared at the highest bidder’s home.
“There were many other top quality and novel donations on auction that night however the highest and most competitively bid lot was Tea with Tutu which bought in just over R50, 000” says Du Toit. The second highest achieving lot was dinner for two with the Premier which achieved R 40, 000. “Finally we auctioned not one but two roles in Meyer’s up-coming film and both of these were snapped up for R30, 000 each” says Du Toit.
The evening included a speech by former Democratic Party leader and Ambassador to Argentina, Tony Leon and saw many gourmet signature dishes of Pigalle as well as fine wines donated by Simonsig and Kleine Zalze being appreciated. The guests enjoyed live music and dancing throughout the night however the highlight of the evening was the anticipated auction of unique lots.
“We are immensely proud of our contribution and very pleased to know that we have in our own small way assisted in bringing hope and comfort to the more vulnerable members of our community and we are ready to continue with those efforts in conjunction with the Consular Corps in 2014” adds Du Toit.
Leave a Comment