Event report

Back To | 2023 Annual Gala Dinner

9 June 2023

Yesterday, the 8th of June was our annual gala dinner at the Johannesburg Marriott Hotel in Melrose Arch and the night was a brilliant success ✨

We spent a tremendous evening hearing the Springbok legends John Smit, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha and Juandre Kruger sharing a nuggets of what it was like to play in France for RCT and about their career path. The evening was also shaped by the words of our sponsors and partners. We would like to thank our sponsors Bureau Veritas Africa and TotalEnergies for making such a major event possible. As well as our partners: Rct - Rugby Club de Toulon, Atout France - The France Tourism Development Agency and Teads MEA.

The highlights of the night:

His Excellence David Martinon – French Ambassador designate to South Africa, meeting our business community for the first time.

The fundraising auction, where a France 2023 rugby ball signed by some of the greatest legends was sold. Hélène Bezuidenhoudt and John Smit managed to raised R40,000 for the SFBJ - Societe de Bienfaisance de Johannesburg - during the auction thanks to a very generous donor.

The giveaway quiz with RCT products brought specially for the occasion, included a signed Toulon jersey. Thank you RCT Toulon for joining us from France for the evening, it was definitely worth it.

Our incredible Master of Ceremony, Xoliswa Amanda Zondo, that kept the audience captivated from the start until the very end.

While waiting for the official photos and highlights video, we would like to thank everyone involved in this event: the Springbok legends John Smit, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha and Juandre Kruger, our sponsors Bureau Veritas Africa and TotalEnergies, our partners Rct - Rugby Club de Toulon, Atout France - The France Tourism Development Agency and Teads MEA.

As well as the Marriott Hotel for an excellent organisation, Chad Space the magician for surprising us during the cocktail networking, the VIP photo booth to make memories, the FSACCI team Erwanne MEILHOC Margaux Schaubroeck David Mvondo Mvondo lilitha mankuntsu for the decoration and all our special guests for making this evening unforgettable !