It’s not especially surprising that that an invite to the annual Imibala Summer Gala has become a desirable thing. The party attracts South Africa’s real who’s who, and is truly a delightful way to pass a few hours. Plus, it does an awful lot of good, too.
What
For the past three years, the Rupert family and the glam and good of the Western Cape have got together to raise big bucks for the Imibala Trust. Every shekel made on the night goes to the nonprofit organisation, founded by Gaynor Rupert more than two decades ago.
Imibala works with school kids affected by impoverished circumstances, offering programmes that make an actual difference in their lives (including helping to prepare them for the working world). We especially like that its creative arts curricula – drama, pottery, music and ballet classes – expose the kids to a world they most likely don’t have access to at home.
The venue
The vast, new, glass marquee in the astonishingly preened and primped gardens of Anglo American’s Vergelegen Wine Estate in Somerset West. We predict that this is going to be the new hot wedding space to book.
The vibe
Guests gathered for drinks in the garden as the sun set, and then settled at tables lit by a potpourri of chandeliers and whacky candelabras. The venue was beautiful and the crowd stylish, but the event was relaxed and celebratory. A glass of Vergelegen’s finest will do that, ya know.
In between dancing and the constant buzz of catching up, the guests also set about aggressively bidding on donated lots that included art by greats like Sam Nhlengethwa and Clive van den Berg, tickets to the South Africa vs England ODI at Lord’s and an actual BMW XM. In all, more than R13m was raised in the mania of buying.
Who we spotted
Word is that lots of this year’s guests were Germans who’ve made the Cape their home – but we recognised many locals. Entertainment polymath Anele Mdoda was host for the evening and her chartreuse outfit was a knockout. A perennially chic and fun Jo-Ann Strauss sang along with the entertainers, and cricket legend Jacques Kallis and his wife Charlene (who’re currently building a fancy new house) looked cool, as did Design Indaba creator Ravi Naidoo and his wife Leshni, and DNI CEO Andrew Dunn and his wife Jeanne.
As always, we loved chatting to RMB founder Paul Harris and former Wiphold deputy chair (and DeMorgenzon Estate owner) Wendy Appelbaum. They’re both proof that smarts, humour and kindness are a lethal combo. Oh, and Hanneli Rupert, who has been involved in the trust from its start, and her sister Caroline, were on hand to support their mum too.
What we ate and drank
Vergelegen merlot and chardonnay, bubbles, chef Ollie Swart’s perfect smoked salmon and lamb, and coffee martinis at the bar to round off the night.
What we loved
Ronan Keating! The shockingly youthful 90s music star (and Irish legend, if we may be so bold as to say it) performed some of his greatest hits, and then auctioned off the singing of his classic tune from the movie Notting Hill, When You Say Nothing At All. The highest bidder was the recipient of a spectacular serenade. Swoon! Keating was outmanoeuvred only by the youngsters on the Imibala programme, whose performances included a ballet recital. Oh, to be that graceful and energetic.
What we were meh about
Besides the unspeakable traffic from Cape Town to Somerset West, we especially bemoan the fact that we’re poor journalists and not in the bidding game at all, didn’t arrive decked out in quietly luxurious designer kit, and did not have a swanky pad in Llandudno or Stellies to return to. Sometimes being “wealth adjacent” can be a real downer.
Top image: Gayor Rupert tells the audience about the Imibala Trust. Picture: Supplied.
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