SIMONSIG ON PAR WITH THE SOUTH AFRICAN DISABLED GOLF ASSOCIATION

Winelands pioneer serious about corporate social responsibility

Simonsig Estate, famous for its pioneering spirit in the Cape Winelands, underlines its commitment to social upliftment as one of the longest standing sponsors of the South African Disabled Golf Association (SADGA).

Since 2005, Simonsig has raised more than R150 000 in aid of this association through wine donations for fund-raising auctions held at various golf championships in South Africa and abroad. The most recent auctions where Simonsig wines went under the hammer in aid of SADGA took place at the 2009 Nedbank SA Disabled Golf Open and the exclusive Burhill Golf Club in Surrey (UK).

“These sportsmen show such bravery and have an unrelenting spirit to overcome obstacles. Simonsig applaudes their ‘never say die’ attitude and determination to challenge convention and succeed in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Attributes personified by my father and which have shaped Simonsig into the award-winning estate it is today,” says Francois Malan, Managing Director of Simonsig Estate.

“It is a huge privilege to be able to play a small yet integral role in the empowerment of the physically challenged,” adds Francois, son of Simonsig’s late founder and beloved patriarch, Frans Malan, who was not only at the forefront of quality winemaking but pioneered numerous Simonsig ‘firsts’ and left an indelible legacy in the wine and tourism industry.

Simonsig donated some if its finest cellar gems to go under the hammer during a fundraising auction at the recent Nedbank SA Disabled Golf Open. A 5L of the estate’s flagship Bordeaux style red wine, Tiara; a 3L of the famous Kaapse Vonkel – South Africa’s first Méthode Cap Classique launched more than 30 years ago – and a rare Simonsig Merindol Syrah Vintage Collection fetched, R4 000, R3 500 and R6 500 respectively.

At the Burhill tournament, Simonsig raised £700 for a 9L Kaapse Vonkel bought by South Africa’s own international golf professional, Retief Goosen, who also made the winning bid of £600 for a rare selection of award-winning Simonsig Merindol Syrah. In addition, five cases of this esteemed red wine each fetched £1200 on the day.

“I believe that one of Simonsig’s legacies is that they are pioneers in the wine industry. This is no truer than their support of SADGA. Simonsig is one of our longest standing sponsors, long before the big guns such as Nedbank and Telkom Business came on board. Simonsig has helped us to establish the pioneering work we do in the disabled communities in South Africa,” shares Eugene Vorster, Executive Director of the South African Disabled Golf Association.

Simonsig currently facilitates a variety of ongoing social upliftment endeavours within the broader Winelands community including child day care and sports development, support of a nearby school and a self-sustaining agricultural enterprise, managed by the workers themselves.

The primary objective of Simonsig’s social responsibility policy is to improve its surrounding environment through the investment of financial resources as well as the provision of skills and leadership training.

For more information contact Simonsig Estate on Tel: (+27)21 888 4915 or visit www.simonsig.co.za.