The Bakalas Support Education in the Vineyards of South Africa

Michaela and Zdenek Bakala were pleased to support the seventh annual – Cape Wine Auction, on February 20, 2020, in the Boschendal vineyard in South Africa. This extraordinary international wine event has been held in South Africa every year since 2014, each time in a different iconic vineyard of South Africa. Among the traditional auction items are unique collections of wine, as well as gourmet specialties, travel experiences, orworks of art. The proceeds from the auction go to charities approved by the Cape Wine Auction Trust. The Trust works to create a Community of Beneficiaries. This collaborative model multiplies the reach and efficiency of the individual organizations, ensuring the donated funds have the maximum impact possible on the lives of the children of the Cape winelands. In addition to selected educational projects, the money from this year's auction will also support providing sports equipment and building playgrounds for children in additional areas. This year’s extraordinary event generated over 17 million South African Rand. Since 2014, the organizers of this charity auction have donated over 105 million South African Rand to the Cape Wine Auction Trust. Education is one of the three pillars of Zdenek and Michaela Bakala’s philanthropy. The Bakala Foundation in the Czech Republic launched the eleventh edition of its Scholarship Program in January. Currently, Zdenek and Michaela Bakala are pleased to use their Foundation to support 65 students studying at universities around the world. One hundred fifty othershave already completed their studies. The Bakalas believe, as did Nelson Mandela, “Education is the most powerful weapon which can be used to change the world.”