Bloemendal Wine Estate, a prominent South African vineyard associated with former politician and anti-apartheid activist Tokyo Sexwale, is scheduled for auction this month, with brokers setting a reserve price of 180 million rand ($11 million).
The estate lies in the Cape Winelands, a region often referred to as the “Napa Valley of Africa,” and spans 238 hectares (588 acres). Rawson Auctions has confirmed that the property will be offered as a fully functional and profitable business on March 25.
Facilities on the estate include a winery, tasting room, manor house, stables, restaurants, and conference venues, providing a comprehensive package for prospective buyers, according to Bloomberg.
Historic roots and winemaking legacy
For more than 300 years, Bloemendal has been part of South Africa’s wine and agricultural history. Originally, it supplied Dutch East India Company ships with fresh provisions along the Cape of Good Hope. Today, the estate is celebrated for its award-winning wines, ranging from chenin blanc and chardonnay to pinotage and cabernet sauvignon.
The vineyard has seen several notable owners over the decades, including Tokyo Sexwale. Sexwale, who shared Robben Island imprisonment with Nelson Mandela, became Gauteng’s first democratic-era premier and later built a diversified business empire spanning mining and other investments. The current owner of the estate has not been publicly disclosed.
A previous attempt to sell Bloemendal last year did not succeed. Potential buyers are required to demonstrate access to at least 200 million rand, provide identification and tax records, and submit a 5% non-refundable deposit once their bid is accepted, with the remaining balance due within two weeks.
In the late 1990s, Tokyo Sexwale, alongside current President Cyril Ramaphosa, was considered a possible, though long-shot, successor to Nelson Mandela. Ultimately, Thabo Mbeki became South Africa’s second democratic-era president.