Cruise ship lunch aids children's charity

Auction items include a weekend in a 10th century chateau in France, jewellery, flights and tickets to an AC Milan match, collector's wine and a number of MSC cruises amongst the auctioned items.

MSC Cruises CEO Pierfrancesco Vago says, "As a family company, based on family values, our social priorities are children, families and education, which is why we are delighted to support Ukuthemba Foundation in keeping vulnerable children safe and offering them a stable home life."

Believe, trust and hope

"Ukuthemba is a Xhosa word, which means to believe, trust and hope. It is one of those words that is not easy to define because it represents the essence of all that we cherish in humanity, in the absence of which we find heartbreak and despair," said Kim Killeen, chairman of Ukuthemba Foundation. "Fortunately, through the work of our organisation and with the assistance of donations and fundraisers, those born into despair can be raised to believe that there is hope."

After the charity event in Cape Town, the liner's next port of call will be Durban, where she will be based for the summer season, operating the popular three and four night cruises to Maputo, Portuguese Island and Barra Lodge in Mozambique.