“No one remembers what kind of tie Mr. Anton Rupert wore when he was a school master but since he became the world’s top tobacco tycoon, as well as South Africa’s most distinguished patron of the arts, Mr Rupert has gone after neckties with the enthusiasm of a butterfly catcher”.

“ Some of his genius for packaging his products has gone into a study of the necktie as a work of art. He is very particular about design and is not afraid of colour - in the right combination and blends. He usually buys his ties in Italy from world-renowned cravateurs like Ibbas, Runci, Angelo and Brioni, but his favourite tie artist is said to be Emilie Pucci. And there is also the “Rupert tie”, characterised as “conservative but distinctive.” People who get “Rupert ties” as presents include eminent artists, writers and jurists and, of course, employees, in all his far flung enterprises. before he took off for his Christmas sojourn at Hermanus, Mr. Rupert made the rounds of his Headquarters at Stellenbosch with a box of ties from which his associates were invited to take their pick.”