Nelson Mandela Foundation received $85,863JT Communication Solutions02/19/2009 09:04:32 
Nelson Mandela Foundation received $85,863 from SMS competition Zain Group, the leading mobile telecommunications operator in the Middle East and Africa, is proud to announce that they have donated $85,863 to the Nelson Mandela Foundation from funds raised in a SMS competition held last year. The competition formed part of a global SMS birthday wishes campaign prior to the ’46664 Concert Honouring Nelson Mandela at 90’ held in June at Hyde Park in London. The concert was organised by 46664, Mr Mandela’s HIV AIDS awareness and prevention campaign. The great icon was present at the concert in Hyde Park whereby many of the world’s most powerful and recognisable figures were present to pay tribute to one of the worlds’ most loved leaders. Zain is heavily involved in promoting arts and culture across the continent and therefore took this once in a lifetime opportunity to sponsor the concert and various events associated with the festivities. The company offered people across Africa the opportunity to participate in the event by sending text messages wishing Nelson Mandela a happy birthday. The most original and unique messages were selected and winners were given the opportunity to see the event live in London. The proceeds raised $85,863 and was handed over to the foundation on Thursday by Zain Africa Group CEO, Chris Gabriel. Speaking about the check handover, Gabriel said “we are very proud to donate this money to the Nelson Mandela Foundation of whom we think very highly of and are honoured to be partners with. We acknowledge the hard work they do throughout Africa and feel that their goals are very much in line with what Zain stands for. This money was raised solely by our faithful subscribers and proof that Mr. Mandela holds a special place in the hearts of many across Africa.” In addition to sponsoring the concert and holding an SMS competition Zain also funded several of Africa’s most famous artists including Bebe Cool and Kenya’s Suzanna Owiyo to perform at the international concert. When announcing the sponsorship earlier in the year Zain Group CEO Dr Saad Al Barrak said, “We are proud to be part of this event honouring Mr. Mandela, a global icon whose sacrifices for the African people are well known to all. It is in line with Zain’s global ambitions and corporate social responsibility philosophy that we participate in the raising of funds for the Mandela Foundation.” The funds raised will benefit the charitable organisations established by Mr. Mandela: 46664, the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and the Mandela Rhodes Foundation, which through their work have sought to bring about change and make a difference to lives in Africa and elsewhere over the past 14 years. 46664, in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation will use its portion of the revenues to fund community based HIV AIDS projects in various African countries through its partner, the African Woman’s Development Fund. Upon accepting the donation, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Foundation commented that “in Zain we have found an African partner who shares our commitment to alleviating the challenges we face on the continent, notably HIV AIDS”. About Zain Zain is a leading emerging markets player in the field of telecommunications aiming to become one of the top ten mobile operators in the world by 2011. Zain was established in 1983 in Kuwait as the region’s first mobile operator. Since 2003, it has grown significantly becoming the 4th largest mobile network in the world in terms of geographic presence with a footprint in 22 countries spread across the Middle East and Africa providing mobile voice and data services to over 60 million active customers. Zain operates in the following countries: Bahrain, Burkina Faso, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Malawi, Madagascar, Niger, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. In Lebanon, the company manages the network on behalf of the government operating as mtc-touch. The Zain brand is wholly owned by Mobile Telecommunications Company KSC, which is listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange (Stock ticker: ZAIN). For more, please visit www.zain.com For more information please visit www.zain.com Media Enquiries: Mwambu Wanendeya Zain Group Communications Director – Africa Wanendeya.m@celtel.com About 46664 46664 was launched in Cape Town in November 2003, and its clear focus is in raising global awareness of HIV AIDS. Using Mr Mandela’s Robben Island prison number as its unique brand, the campaign aspires to symbolise hope, justice and resilience in the battle against the pandemic. The 46664 campaign uses the power of music, entertainment and sport to convey its message. In South Africa, 46664 is involved in outreach at schools and communities to help prevent the spread of HIV AIDS. For more information go to www.46664.com Media Enquiries: Chantal Cuddumbey 46664 Communications and PR Manager Tel: 011 728 1000 Chantal@46664.org.za Picture: No Submitted by Vanessa Perumal PR Company: JT Communication Solutions Telephone Number: 011 788 7633/2 Cellphone Number: 083 268 1446 Client`s name: 46664 Website: http://www.46664.com |
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