As a partner in the event, the French Embassy of South Africa called on the French-owned AGS Group to ship the pieces from Johannesburg to the foundation’s Cape Town headquarters, the auction house for the occasion.

The AGS team readily donated the services of their specialised art transport division.

Art on the move

Be it a sculpture or a painting, protecting art in transit requires more than bubble wrap. In fact, the moving industry staple is to be avoided at all costs, according to AGS Johannesburg branch manager Morne Rudolph. “Since bubble wrap is made of plastic, it traps moisture which could damage the canvas, particularly in humid climates,” he explains.

Instead, each piece is suspended in a tailor-made skeleton frame before being packed into another custom-built crate that has been lined with foam to reduce jarring during transport. With oil paintings especially, it’s important to keep packing material away from the canvas. Depending on how many layers the artist has applied, the paint can take years to dry, and packaging may stick to the surface.

These precautions may seem extreme, but it’s this level of care that ensures the works remain in pristine condition during their journey – quite important when you’re trying to raise as much money as possible.

The legacy continues

Local and international bidders did not disappoint, raising 3.9 million rands ($257 000). The best-performing lot was West of Sutherland, a landscape in oils by renowned South African realist John Meyer, which fetched R850 000 ($56 000). Wine estate experiences and luxury items were also up for grabs, including a black and white diamond-encrusted ring which went under the hammer for R40 000 ($2 300).

The foundation’s development officer, Edwin Arrison, confirms the funds will be allocated to various projects, including developing and implementing leadership programmes built on the Archbishop’s values, providing a platform for difficult but necessary dialogues, and advocating for peace and social justice.

Edwin notes, “For over 40 years, the Archbishop tirelessly campaigned for peaceful activism, love and reconciliation, favouring no political party or religion – that was his great contribution to the world. Now it’s time for us to honour his memory and take over his work.”

We pay tribute to the buoyant and impish clergyman who dedicated his life to serving humanity.

To support the good work of the Desmond and Leah Tutu Foundation, visit https://www.tutu.org.za/get-involved/.

Roses in the Big Glass, an etching by well-known artist William Kentridge, fetched more than R300 000 ($19 000).

Titled Dancing Tutu, this 42cm bronze figure by sculptor Barry Jackson found a new home for R91 040 ($6 000).

– Nelson Mandela, from his book a “Long Walk to Freedom”

Today our South African employees and customers celebrate #FreedomDay. This quote not only highlights South Africa’s journey to democracy, it also symbolises the journey of life we are all on, including the challenges we face.

Life will present you with your own “great hills,” but moving doesn’t have to be one of them. We have solutions to move you move you from A-Z, making that part of your journey just a little bit easier.

Happy Freedom Day South Africa.

What’s more, our personalised and innovative services will make your journey all smooth sailing!

Contact our Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth or Johannesburg branch, and let us be the carrier of choice for your treasured items!

Get a free quote

We believe that proper planning and coordination are the foundations of a successful move, and with our office move action plans, we help to minimise the loss of productivity for your business.

Talk to one of our branches today about turning moving offices into “dreamwork”.

https://www.agsmovers.com/branches/africa/south-africa/

Did you know that Afrikaans is the youngest official language in the world?

Born 340 years ago in the homes of South Africa’s Dutch, German and French settlers, it is an offshoot of Dutch with English, German and Malay influences. It is also one of the smallest official languages, with only 13 million speakers.

At AGS Movers South Africa, we offer our services in Afrikaans, English, Xhosa or any other of our country’s 11 official languages. Our sales reps at our branches in Cape Town, JHB, Port Elizabeth and Durban are ready to help you.

“Ons staan reg om jou te help.”

“Sikulungele ukukunceda”

We may be known for our global moving solutions, but our local solutions are just as lekker! Our team of experts is ready to help you move anywhere in our beautiful country, with a single point of contact and custom packing/unpacking solutions. We even go that extra mile (okay, kilometer in South Africa) and help you clean up once you’re all moved in.

AGS Movers South Africa is ready to help you move locally – contact any one of our SA branches today!

https://www.agsmovers.com/branches/africa/south-africa/

In stark contrast to some gloomy attitudes towards Africa expressed in the early 1990s, AGS recognised Africa’s importance to the global economy, as a leading resources supplier and a young population.

AGS is proud to have played an integral role for over a quarter of a century in improving accessibility to African growth markets, by delivering high-quality mobility services to professionals and their families arriving in and travelling from this dynamic continent.

The first AGS branch in Africa opened in 1992 in the Ivory Coast, and within 22 years new branches were established in a further 47 countries on the continent.

The Africa54 vision

In 2014 the AGS Group launched our ‘Africa 54’ project, committed to achieving 100% network coverage of Africa in 2016. Unwavering dedication has enabled the AGS Group to continue expanding our network of subsidiary branches to all 54 countries in Africa: a historic and unique first for a privately-owned company!

We look forward to celebrating this milestone through high-profile events in Johannesburg (20 September 2016), Paris (27 September 2016) and London (29 September 2016).

This will be a celebration of the 25 years’ presence of the AGS Group in Africa, as well as of the complete coverage it offers its customers throughout the world for their mobility to or from Africa. This is through a unique, consistent and reliable service: an answer that is both local and global.

To follow AGS’ Africa54 news, please visit www.agsmovers.com/africa54

AGS Frasers Mali marked the end of 2015 with an exceptional transport operation. After receiving shipments of the UN’s technological and computer equipment from France, AGS Frasers Mali’s team organized in mid-December one of the most important inland removals of its year – in terms of covered distance.

Leaving AGS’ premises in Bamako, where the first equipment consignment had been stored for a few months, a convoy of six trucks drove towards the United Nation’s site in Kidal: 1500 km away, in the North-Eastern region of Mali.

The journey – particularly challenging due to its length – required the support of two separate convoys. The six trucks on the road were first escorted by a local police group, accompanying them across the 400km separating Douentza from Gao, and later by a UN escort.

Despite the scale of this ten-day operation and its unique challenges – such as the convoy being restricted to a speed of only 30km/hour while crossing the harsh desert environment between Gao and Kidal – AGS ensured that the equipment was successfully delivered on deadline.

We wish to congratulate the whole AGS Frasers Mali team who lead this difficult project and ensured the security of the United Nations’ equipment throughout the journey!

Wherever you are moving from or to in Africa, you can rely on AGS’ strong network of branches and expertise, which this year will cover all 54 countries of the continent: a project which is very close to the heart of the Group and that will culminate in September 2016 with three celebrations planned in Johannesburg, Paris, and London.

AGS Movers Paris is so passionate about mobility solutions by road that they recently entered a team of ten staff runners into the annual 10km L’Equipe race. Participating for the second time, the AGS team was spurred on by their 109th place finish this year (out of 132 teams) and are already looking forward to participating again next year.

GUINEA

AGS Movers Guinea recently received a letter of appreciation from South Africa’s ambassador to the country. This letter thanks AGS for the charitable donation received from the branch while commemorating International Mandela Day. Demonstrating further commitment to the cause, AGS also transported all donations to the South African Embassy.

SOUTH AFRICA

AGS’ International Movers Johannesburg sponsored the Defence Foreign Relations golf day in August, strengthening AGS’ relationship with senior embassy diplomats and South African government employees attending. While AGS Johannesburg’s German corporate sales executive played golf with Austria’s Ambassador (coming second in the tournament!), the rest of the AGS staff treated teams to tasty refreshments.

MALAWI

When a client recently needed a large boat transported from Malawi by road to Tanzania, AGS Movers Malawi was not deterred by the unusual request (for a land-locked country).

“The client chose AGS because we were the only company that could promise him that we have enough capacity to do this kind of job,” explains Branch Manager Luis Fernandez.

AGS Movers Coussaert sponsored the ‘A la Française’ weekend on May 24-25, hosted in an area of Brussels favoured by French expats. AGS’ popular stand was one of 60 in a market of gastronomy, crafts and creativity celebrating the Belgian art of living à la Française.

UNITED KINGDOM

AGS Movers London participated with a stand in the recent ‘London Totally Expat Show 2014’ trade fair, attended by mobility providers and consultants. A competition at AGS’ stand saw a winner receive a bottle of champagne and a box of chocolates.

SOUTH AFRICA

AGS Movers Johannesburg sponsored the Lycée Français Jules Verne school fête on May 31, also participating with a branded stand. As close on 1000 children attended along with their parents, it is the French school’s biggest annual event.

CZECH REPUBLIC

AGS Movers Prague branch recently participated in the Lycée Français de Prague’s school fair with a unique ‘Ali Baba’ game: children entered an AGS container with flashlights, recorded its contents on AGS packing lists, and the winner received a branded yoyo.