Grootbos Foundation and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra will be hosting a charity event and art auction on the 9th of December, 2016 at the Bona Dea Private Estate in Hermanus. This will be an evening of music and a selection of tastes prepared by The Grootbos chefs. All the profits from the evening will go to the Grootsbos Foundation and other charities.

Diddi Johnson co-owner and managing trustee of Bona Private Estate said: “We are so thrilled to be in a position to support the Grootbos Foundation this year. I find it most impressive, that the owners of Grootbos Nature Reserve Mr & Mrs Lutzeyer invest from their own business profits and funds to keep the Foundation financially stable and viable. They do such amazing work in our community and we hope that we can assist them again in the future“

The Grootbos Foundation was established in 2003 with the aim of transforming communities and conserving the environment through the creation of sustainable livelihoods and active citizenship through ecotourism, education, sports and enterprise development.

The Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra set to perform on the evening, is arguably the most versatile and active orchestra on the continent of Africa, contributing handsomely to Cape Town’s global status and appeal. The Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra is financially and culturally sustainable. They perform regular symphony concerts and also run a vast outreach development program, which includes The Cape Town Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and Masidlale grassroots training projects. Since the start of the program in 2003 up to 2015 they were able to reach more than 150 000 learners.

Along with the performance from the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra, there will also be a select amount of donated items which will be auctioned to supplement the income. This includes a self-catering cottage for four people in Skiathos, Greece and a bronze sculpture by Bruce Little. Grootbos Private Nature reserve will be donating the catering and Bona Dea Private Estate has donated the venue, furniture, décor, crockery, cutlery and flowers for the event. Both businesses will be making their staff available at no cost. Local wineries are also donating a fine selection of their local wines.

Artwork by MIES has also been donated for the auction on the evening. MIES is an African artist who specializes in acrylic portraits. Who is passionate about every person she meets on a canvas. The piece she has donated is named “Elsje – Always recalculating to make the world in her head and the world of her heart meet in one place.” The Grootbos foundation is really excited about this piece for their upcoming auction. They believe she is an artist to watch and invest in.

For more information, visit www.grootbosfoundation.org. Alternatively you may connect with them on Facebook or on Twitter.