u003cpu003eu003cstrongu003eThe inaugural 2014 AfrAsia Bank Cape Wine Auction which took place on March 15 in Stellenbosch, Cape Town, surpasses all expectations.u003c/strongu003eu003c/pu003eu003cpu003eThe annual charity event AfrAsia Bank Cape Wine Auction not only set a philanthropic precedent in South Africa wine industry but also witnessed the remarkable realisation of a bold dream when an astounding R7.045 million was raised for disadvantaged children in the Cape winelands.u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eSharing Nelson Mandelau0026rsquo;s belief u0026ldquo;Education is the most powerful weapon which can be used to change the world,u0026quot;he AfrAsia Bank Cape Wine Auction is about the spirit of the community u0026ndash; vintners, bidders and volunteers u0026ndash; all gathered to make a difference in the lives of so many South African children for years and even lifetimes.u003cemu003e u0026ldquo;Our CSI mission is simple. We understand that education is the cornerstone on which the future of this country will be built on. We were looking for a partnership whereby both sides are committed to playing a role in changing education for the better and to make a real difference for South Africans. Weu0026rsquo;ve learnt that organizations cannot afford to have a singular view of profitability. We need to strike a balance between business and social responsibility. And it was through this belief that the partnership between AfrAsia Bank and the Cape Wine Auction was born.u003c/emu003eu0026rdquo; James Benoit, Chief Executive Officer of AfrAsia Bank said.u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eIn a grand marquee on the majestic Delaire Graff Estate in Stellenbosch, 250 prominent local and international wine aficionados as well as online bidders were invited to make a serious difference when 40 once-in-a-lifetime auction lots came under the enthusiastic hammer of auctioneers Iain Banner and Paul Myson.u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eu003cstrongu003eRare wine collectionsu003c/strongu003eu003c/pu003eu003cpu003eThe astonishing line-up of lots included rare wine collections as well as exclusive hand-selected local and international wine, gourmet and travel experiences. Highlights of the day included an art cameo by talented artist John Adams whose live 8-minute surprise portrait of Nelson Mandela fetched a staggering R460 000 on the Auction. Other lots fetching phenomenally high prices were: The Mulderbosch u0026amp; Fable Mountain Vineyards American Dream Lot: R700 000; The Glenelly Estate Lot: R450 000 and The DeMorgenzon u0026amp; Royal Portfolio Lot: R400 000…u003c/pu003eu003cpu003eu003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eRead more in Business Magazineu003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003eu003c/pu003e