Hosted on board the MSC Opera, docked for the afternoon in the Cape Town harbour on 24 January 2014, the event hosted 150 people at a gala lunch. Attended by Cape Town society along with their children, media and MSC Cruise Management, the occasion saw a guest performance by South African-born songstress and 'The Voice UK' finalist Nomakhosi.
Now in its sixth year, the Ukuthemba fundraiser has become a regular fixture in MSC's diary, with the organisation and its mission resonating strongly with the values of MSC Cruises. A family-owned, family-friendly company, MSC is focused on children's rights around the world.
With items on auction including local and Med Cruises, a week in the Riviera, Tanzanite Bracelet, Wimbledon Tickets, Artwork by prominent artists and various other exclusive items, guests were eager to bid.
"It's great watching people become so animated during the auction and be so passionate about supporting this cause" says Allan Foggitt, Sales and Marketing Director of MSC Cruises SA, "100% of the proceeds goes straight to the children so everyone's a winner!"
The Ukuthemba Foundation works to ensure badly disadvantaged South African children and babies have a safe place to call home. The Cape Town based organisation has grown in size over the last six years and now has five homes in existence.
Kim Killeen from Ukuthemba adds "We endeavour to help children and ensure that during their passage into adulthood they get the relevant protection and care. We work tirelessly to instil our children with a strong moral framework to allow them become active members of South African society. This investment in our youth will ultimately lead to a more prosperous and peaceful South Africa. The MSC event on a yearly basis allows us funding to do exactly this".
