Prince heads to SA for charity polo

A WINE estate in the Franschhoek valley is set to be the centre of upper- crust society next week when Prince Harry visits to participate in a polo tournament, the biggest of its kind in the world.

The Val de Vie Estate will host the Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup next Saturday for the first time on African soil. It will be Harry’s fourth official visit to the country.

Both the prince’s visit and the polo tournament are linked to the charity, Sentebale, which he conceptualised and formed with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho and which raises money for vulnerable children in Lesotho.

This week swimmer Ryk Neethling, the Olympic gold medallist who is also the marketing director of Val de Vie, expressed excitement at the event.

“We are extremely honoured to host the Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup at Val de Vie. It is likewise a privilege to welcome the founders of Sentebale – Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso – to our estate.

“Like Sentebale, we are passionate about helping those in need and are pleased to be able to play a supporting role in the excellent work that this charity is doing in a country so close to ours.”

Others expected at the tournament included Sentebale’s ambassador and Argentinian polo player Nacho Figueras.

A statement on Val de Vie’s website said three members of the estate’s polo club would participate in the match.

The polo tournament, held specifically to raise money for Sentebale, is the biggest one-day charity polo event in the world and is in its sixth year.

To date it has raised more than R60 million.

Val de Vie said this year’s tournament would take place two days after the opening of the Sentebale’s Mamohato Children’s Centre in Lesotho.

The centre is said to be the first of its kind in Southern Africa and aims to provide quality care for children affected by HIV/Aids.

Harry is expected to be in South Africa and Lesotho between Thursday and December 4.