Kwandwe's recent auction was a milestone day in the development of the game breeding industry in the Eastern Cape. The first large-scale game breeding auction in the region was conducted at Kwandwe Private Game Reserve by respected Pretoria-based auctioneer Wildswinkel.
Kwandwe's recent auction was a milestone day in the development of the game breeding industry in the Eastern Cape. The first large-scale game breeding auction in the region was conducted at Kwandwe Private Game Reserve by respected Pretoria-based auctioneer Wildswinkel.
The sweltering heat of the day reflected the anticipation that built over the many weeks of auction preparation. Some of the country’s top game breeders including Norman Adami, Pieter Bellingan, Tebogo Mogashoa, Dries Visser, Wildlife Ranching South Africa president Wiaan van der Linde and Piet du Toit gathered in the purpose-erected auction marquee with air-conditioning units working overtime to cool the atmosphere, heavy with anticipation.
Some 190 buyers registered at Wildswinkel for the auction. A total attendance of 800 people was recorded. When the last lot’s hammer fell, a total turnover of more than R56 million was reached. This is indeed a significant boost to the local game breeding industry.
Signature Wildlife is an Eastern Cape-based group of game breeders including Woody Cape, Buffalo Kloof, Kwandwe Signature Wildlife, Murray Ranches and Bedford Wildlife Co.
The group’s positioning is “legendary genetics”, referring to the high quality of animals these breeders have been able to develop over many years of investing in game breeding in the Eastern Cape. According to the group, its motivation is its “commitment to the land, the animals and the rural regeneration of our country”.
Angus Sholto-Douglas from Kwandwe Signature Wildlife was overwhelmed at the success of the auction,“I can hardly believe the support the first Signature Wildlife auction received. Respected buyers from all over the country travelled far to be here and support our effort. We appreciate this commitment tremendously.”
Sholto-Douglas says the Signature Wildlife group was delighted with the tremendous support shown by Eastern Cape game ranchers. “But the real highlight was the R575 000 raised at the auction for the Ubunye Foundation. This charity works with rural communities to create positive and lasting change.”
The auction delivered some stunning records, including one of the highest prices ever paid for a white rhino cow and a special buffalo cow lot that reached R12 million. Other quality animal species on auction included wildebeest, roan, blesbuck, gemsbuck, springbok, lechwe, impala, sable, nyala, waterbuck, reedbuck, giraffe and bontebok.
Auction attendees were treated to marvellous food, drinks and entertainment after the hectic auction. One man who earned his keep on the day was Wildswinkel auctioneer Brandon Leer,“It was a hot day with some hotly contested lots. It’s so invigorating to be able to do my job in such a magical atmosphere. I’m very satisfied that the Eastern Cape game industry is in good shape.”
The Wildswinkel team managed a slick auction operation, with live auction price updates available on multiple platforms simultaneously, including the popular Wildswinkel mobile phone app, website, Facebook and Twitter.
Lood Bester, CEO of Wildswinkel was full of praise for the effort Signature Wildlife put into making the auction a success, “These days only top genetics from top animals will reach excellent prices on auction.
The Signature Wildlife group made sure they had the best possible genetics available for sale. In addition, they marketed the auction very well as a no reserve auction, which meant buyers and sellers were in a win-win situation. Hearty congratulations are in order.”
