Rethabile Pitso
VODACOM Lesotho (VCL) has launched its revamped Mega Millions competition in which a variety of prizes worth over M5 million are up for grabs.
Addressing the media during the launch ceremony on Monday, VCL Senior Specialist: Marketing and Branding Sekonyela Matamane said the competition coincided with the 20th anniversary of the telecommunications giant’s establishment in Lesotho.
“We, at VCL, are happy to celebrate 20 years of operation in Lesotho concurrently with the beautiful Mountain Kingdom’s 50th Independence Anniversary,” he said.
“We are proud to continuously look back at the legacy that has been built over the last two decades where we have achieved notable growth in terms of our coverage being accessed in 3G mode nationwide.
“We have further excelled at driving innovation by continuing to offer smarter solutions and pushing boundaries to maximize the value of our network.”
During 2015’s Vodacom Mega Millions competition which ended last October, VCL customers won an array of prizes worth M3 million that included 15 brand new Chevrolet Utility vehicles, cash, grocery vouchers, smart phones among others.
The prizes up for grabs in this year’s edition include two houses worth M400 000 each, 15 Toyota Etios hatchback vehicles, M750 000 in cash prizes, M500 000 worth of VCL airtime and 1 800 smart phones.
According to Mr Matamane, the competition started on Monday this week and would end on 30 September 2016.
He said VCL contract, prepaid or top up customers can register for the competition by sending a text message of the word “Mega” to 54100. The customer would then receive a series of multiple choice questions via the SMS platform on a daily basis with each costing M1.
“The more points the participant earns, the more chances they stand to win,” said Mr Matamane,” adding that they would be daily, weekly and monthly draws in which over 45 000 people would win.
He said winners of the house prize had three alternatives.
“The first option is for VCL to secure the winner a brand new house worth M400 000, while the second allows the winner to make building renovations worth M400 000 to their existing house. The third option is for VCL to build the winner a house at a preferred location with an existing lease,” Mr Matamane said.
“By giving these options, we wish to give people the freedom to choose the location and their own design of the desired house. It will be up to the winner to decide which district they want their house to be built.”
VCL customer, ‘Maliau Mosae who won a vehicle in last year’s competition said during the launch event that her economic fortunes had greatly improved after taking home the Chevrolet Utility mini-bakkie.
Ms Mosae, who hails from Ha Abia in Maseru, said she sold the vehicle to a security company soon after winning it and established a business with the proceeds.
“My husband and I sold that vehicle we won for over M100 000 to a security company soon after the competition,” she said.
“With the proceeds, we started a poultry and piggery farm at my in-laws’ place in Rothe. We also bought a much cheaper vehicle to help us with the daily operations of our business and for personal purposes.”
Ms Mosae added: “Vodacom has really changed our lives for the better, and we are so grateful. I urge Basotho to enter this year’s competition since everyone stands an equal chance of winning because it is fair and free from nepotism.”
