Joining the fight against HIV/AIDS is only a call or SMS away

"Vodacom's support and participation is the perfect fit for the repositioning of the 46664 campaign, which is moving from merely raising awareness of the HIV/AIDS pandemic to inspiring ordinary South Africans and businesses to take personal responsibility in the fight against the disease," says John Samuel, Chief Executive Officer of the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

Through this joint initiative Vodacom will be selling a 46664-branded Vodacom Prepaid Starter Pack in what is to be its first commercial initiative in an ongoing involvement with the 46664 campaign.

"Mr Nelson Mandela once said that to win this fight, we must do more," says Mthobi Tyamzashe, Vodacom Executive Director: Corporate Affairs. "The 46664 Starter Pack is one of the ways Vodacom is uniting our customers to get involved. By supporting 46664 we are providing funds to assist those making such a difference on the frontline in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and most importantly giving the South African public a chance to do the same."

The concept behind the Vodacom 46664 Starter Pack is simple. There is no donation on the sale of the 46664 Starter Pack, but each time a person recharges, Vodacom will contribute a portion of the money to the 46664 Fund to support the fight against HIV/AIDS - at no cost to the customer. When using the 46664 Starter Pack voice calls will be billed per second and with every second that the customer talks, Vodacom will contribute money towards the 46664 fund.

Through this collaboration Vodacom and the Nelson Mandela Foundation will jointly assist in the upliftment of communities that are crippled by the effects of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

"This initiative is in line with Vodacom's current Corporate Social Investment focus and commitments to make every moment count towards a better life for all South Africans," says Tyamzashe.

"The Vodacom 46664 Starter Pack is aimed at reviving South Africa's goodwill spirit, in that it does not require people to dig into their pockets. Instead, it encourages people to join in the war by showing compassion at no extra cost or effort to them," Samuels says.

Both the Nelson Mandela Foundation and Vodacom are calling on consumers to make use of this opportunity to let their voice make a difference.

By using the Vodacom 46664 Starter Pack donations are made regularly on the customer's behalf, and Tyamzashe reiterates that every South African can make a difference to underprivileged people's lives, not only once, but every time they recharge their airtime or make a call.

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