On 2 March 2014, a day many Capetonians remember vividly, a massive veld fire devastated huge swathes of natural vegetation, homes, and businesses all over the Cape Peninsula, among them Tintswalo Atlantic on Chapman’s Peak. While a devastating loss for the owners and the community, through determination and with a lot of support from neighbours and local businesses, they managed to rebuild the lodge within eight months. The rebuild was an opportunity to breathe a new life and luxury into the rooms and the already magical hotel is now even more memorable to visit.

A year later to the day, to commemorate the occasion of its burning to the ground, as well as celebrate how courageously and quickly it was revived, Tintswalo Atlantic held its first Phoenix Charity Dinner. All proceeds of the inaugural charity event and auction – over R 300 000 – went to the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), which was instrumental in helping on the day of the fires.

Because the community came together so powerfully and meaningfully to help one another during and in the aftermath of this crisis – from messages of support and financial donations, to actual physical labour, Tintswalo was inspired to make the dinner an annual occasion. The event would serve as a reminder of the difference that can be made collectively, and an opportunity to give back in a real way by raising awareness and much-needed funds for critical issues that need support within the greater community.

This year the Tintswalo family has chosen to raise funds for Thula-Thula Hout Bay, a local disaster relief organisation that was founded to address a need for a centralised, community-oriented collections and distributions – one that proactively prepares for disaster relief in partnership with residents, retailers and businesses.

Having suffered loss due to wildfires themselves, the Tintswalo Lodges and Tintswalo Atlantic leadership holds this cause quite close to their hearts, and would like to contribute to a group that is helping those suffering a similar, and often worse, loss.

The evening will start with drinks and will go late into the night with live musical entertainment, a spectacular dinner and of course the fundraising auction. This year, Phoenix Dinner guests will again be able to bid on exciting auction items while contributing to a worthy cause. The dinner will take place as the new tradition dictates, on 2 March 2017. Tickets will cost R1 250 per person for dinner guests, or you can make an occasion out of it and stay over in one of the lodge’s gorgeous suites – R10 780 for a couple includes dinner, bed and breakfast.