SMS support for tsunami victims
Vodacom subscribers can add to the company's R500 000 contribution to support the Japanese victims of the earthquake and tsunami, with their own contributions of R10 per sms, following the Friday 18 March 2011 announcement that the company had launched a Vodacom Red Alert (International) campaign to channel money to the South African Red Cross Society (SARCS).
It has further announced that the costs usually recovered from the customer contribution are waived so that the full amount donated by customers is channelled to SARCS. According to Mthobi Tyamzashe, executive director: CSI, "This is part of Vodacom's way of enabling our subscribers to jointly express their support. We are pleased to once again be able to do this with the SA Red Cross Society."
In welcoming the Red Alert, the General Secretary of SARCS, Mandisa Kalako-Williams, said: "The South African Red Cross welcomes the opportunity to channel the donations of South Africans to assist the people of Japan, and are appreciative of the partnership through the Red Alert funds, which are bound to make a difference in the lives of Japanese people whose lives have been adversely affected by the recent earthquake and tsunami.
This is the third occasion of a Vodacom Red Alert. The first was the Haiti earthquake in January 2010. This was followed by a response to the floods in South Africa in January 2011. Contributors can SMS the word 'GIVE' to 38207 or dial *120*4483# and follow the prompts.
