Zulu "Royal Brand" raises R65 000 for home for the elderly

The auction took place at the National Boran cattle auction and was attended by over 250 Boran breeders as well as King Goodwill Zwelithini, who was guest of honour.

This is not the first time that Bayede! has donated its profits for a good cause. Antoinette Vermooten, CEO of Bayede!, said that the largest donation made via an auction of Bayede! wine was when six bottles sold for R 75 000. The money was donated to a student scholarship fund.

Job creation initiatives

Founded in 2009 through a chance meeting between King Goodwill Zwelethini and the owners of Eikendal wine farm in the Western Cape, Bayede! is the first royal brand endorsed by the Zulu monarch. The organisation is increasingly becoming known for its job creation initiatives and designs and licenses a large range of products including wine, clothing and bed linen, leather products, handcraft, beadwork and other items, which have been developed with maximum job creation potential in mind.

Its wines, for instance, are decorated with beadwork crafted by rural women from KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, resulting in additional job opportunities beyond the production of the wine itself.

Business development initiative

Bayede! is also a participant in the Old Mutual Legends Programme, a business development initiative that supports small and community-based businesses through mentoring, skills training and other support. "Legends has been a huge help with our marketing and strategic focus particularly," explained Vermooten.

Najaarsrus cares for 93 aged and frail residents, most of whom cannot afford the accommodation and treatment costs. The donation from the auction will be used to subsidise their health care expenses.

For more, go to www.bayede.co.za.