Local maize trader grabs Airtel Prado prize

TELECOMS

By Gregory Gondwe, Blantyre, Malawi

A Blantyre-based maize trader has won a Toyota Prado worth K45 million (about USD150 000) grand prize in a draw conducted in Lilongwe this week, marking the finale of the Airtel Malawi Yabooka promotion, which started on April 26 this year.

At first Airtel could not immediately reach the winner, Lamison Chipangu (38), as well-wishers started calling his number when it emerged that he was the eventual winner of automobile.

The draw that favoured Chipangu was conducted by Minister of Information and Civic Education Moses Kunkuyu, who hailed Airtel's professionalism in the way they have conducted the competition in the last ten weeks.

Kunkuyu also said the competition has elevated Malawians as it was systematically organised and gifted even the neediest.

"They [Airtel] have tried so hard in ensuring timely presentation of prizes and above all they have never changed the rules of the game in the middle of the competition as it happens sometimes," he said.

Chipangu was on cloud nine. He said he was delighted that he won the vehicle but was still undecided about what to do with it.

"I just think I am dreaming. I don't understand why all this is happening to me. I have to be given the car first before I can decide what to do with it," he said.

Airtel Malawi Deputy Managing Director Maurice Newa promised that the company would continue running promotions that would benefit customers financially.

“I can proudly declare that we have successfully run the popular Yabooka Promotion as way of nurturing our customers for embracing the brand," he said.

Airtel Malawi’s Marketing Director Enwell Kadango said during one of the ten draws that over 2.5 million people are now using the Airtel network, and that the promotion has changed lives of people.

During the ten weeks that it has been running lucky subscribers  won various weekly prizes, while every two weeks one lucky subscriber drove home with a brand new Toyota Hilux pick up.

In the retailers’ category, lucky dealers won motorcycles, bicycles, airtime vouchers and sim cards.