PLEDGE FUND | Building the Future: Welgemeend Restoration Fund
Timed Online Auction, 25 July - 25 August 2025
Welgemeend is one of a few remaining original homesteads in Cape Town’s city bowl district, built in circa 1693. The Friends of Welgemeend in collaboration with the Kilbourn Family and Strauss & Co have been raising funds for the ongoing preservation and restoration of the heritage building, the Boerneef Art Collection and the surrounding gardens. The main fundraising event takes place during the Welgemeend August Art Month. This year the Art Month committee has identified a wishlist of projects necessary for the continued maintenance in the seven auction sessions detailed below. The fundraiser takes the form of a pledge. Donors will be invited to attend a contributor’s event at the end of August Art Month, hosted by the Friends of Welgemeend.
The prioritisation of all funds received, will be at the discretion of the Friends of Welgemeend.
Buyers premium will not be charged on pledges received.
Striking a Chord
The Bösendorfer grand piano, often used for classical music concerts and other music events, requires a service. The piano has been a part of Welgemeend since the 1960s and was purchased by the school committee at the time.
The service will include the replacement of some hammers, strings, oiling, tuning and other necessities required to preserve and restore the warm bass and angelic, brilliant descant sounds normally identified by the Bösendorfer trademark. Hannes Mayer, internationally acclaimed restorer and tuner from Austria, will be in South Africa later this year to attend to the piano.
Other Sessions
Please note that these sessions run concurrently.
