Publications
Partners
Val de Vie, Paarl-Franschhoek Valley - The Val de Vie Estate just outside Paarl in the Cape Winelands is home to some of South Africa’s most prestige personalities.
None perhaps more renowned than Olympic gold medallist Ryk Neethling.
As part of the estate’s managing team, Neethling and co, rewarded one of their newest residents with a Ferrari California - costing a very cool R4-million - in a lucky draw.
1/56 chance
A total of sixty residential units of Val de Vie’s new Polo Village were made available to prospective buyers and on October 14, the night of the Ferrari draw, 56 had been sold.
The 56 new owners were automatically entered into a draw to win the Ferrari, 12 residents were eliminated through a certified elimination process, until only five were left standing.
After a few suspenseful moments, Magnus Heystek was declared the winner and recipient of a brand new Ferrari California.
Heystek said: "What a feeling! I am absolutely thrilled to be named the winner of the Ferrari! I’d like to thank Val de Vie and Ferrari for this amazing opportunity and for the privilege of receiving this stunning vehicle.
"I can’t wait to take it out on the road."
Gallery: Val de Vie Ferrari give-away
Neethling also weighed in on the celebrations, saying: “It was a really exciting moment waiting for the winner’s name to be read out. On behalf of Val de Vie, I’d like to congratulate Mr Heystek! We wish him many safe and enjoyable kilometres in this show-stopping car.
“This giveaway is just one example of how we have implemented our core value of remaining ground-breaking in all aspects: our vision, our offering, building practices, conservation efforts, security and lifestyle. While we love the relaxed atmosphere at Val de Vie, we also know how to enjoy the thrilling side of life, and I’m sure that Mr Heystek will agree.”
Val de Vie said that the decision to give this particular car away stemmed from the fact that Ferrari and Val de Vie are both internationally recognised as leading products in their respective categories and are equally associated with excellence, elegance and luxury.
OH WHAT A NIGHT! From left Mark de Villiers who represented Magnus Heystek and accepted the Ferrari on his behalf, Roxanne Riffel (Ferrari marketing assistant) and Ryk Neethling (marketing director and shareholder at Val de Vie). Image: Val de Vie Estate
California for Val de Vie
In an interview with Wheels24, Neethling said the estate and Ferrari South Africa developed a special bond and relationship the last few years. Only fitting, then, that the chosen prize is one of the fabled Italian automaker’s products.
Pressed on why choose a California, Neethling grinned: “Uhm, it was the cheapest one!
“We went for test drives and drove all the way to Stellenbosch and were on a high for a week afterwards. And we decided that these were the type of cars that will blow people away. The California fits the Val de Vie lifestyle.”
The Olympic star added: “We like working with Ferrari. So far it’s been a good fit and it is a long-term relationship.”
READ: Ferrari's supercars hit Red Star Raceway
The California is powered by a 4.3-litre V8 engine that delivers a sweet 360kW/505Nm. Weighing only 1.6-ton, this Ferrari can sprint from 0-100km/h in 3.8 seconds and will top out at 312km/h. Ferrari also fitted the California with its F1-inspired gearbox with seven forward gears.
Expanding horizons
Val de Vie is known for pushing the boundaries and finding new fields to excel in, but giving a Ferrari away is likely to be a once-off occurrence. According to Neethling, the next phase of Val de Vie’s expansion is focused on to grow young entrepreneurs from the townships.
He said: "We’re an estate that offers great diversity and I can confidently say that we provide an incomparable lifestyle to our residents, whether they are travelers that frequently visit the estate, families, couples, expats or investors.
"Our goal now is to develop incredible young entrepreneurs that will be able to afford these kinds of cars; despite coming from the townships. That’s where our passion is now - developing the community."
