By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@GalloImages.
Sometimes, all it takes is the courage to want to be a great father. And every time, somebody is going to recognise that and support it.
This time it was Zimkhitha Mbobo and his five-year-old daughter Yonela. And this time it was also Vodacom.
On an ordinary weekday afternoon, Zimkhitha sent a simple DM to Vodacom. Yonela was turning five, and he wanted to give his daughter – a passionate Orlando Pirates fan – the best birthday present she could ever wish for.
All he asked for was tickets for them to attend the Top 8 semi-final between Orlando Pirates and Cape Town City in Soweto. What he received was beyond his and Yonela’s wildest dreams.
“I DMed Vodacom on Instagram just to let them know my daughter is turning five and that I would love to be part of the Orlando Pirates match experience with her,” says Zimkhitha. “Then I received a call from Vodacom.”
The phone call was to let dad and daughter know that Vodacom was going to give them tickets to the match.
But the best birthday surprise ever started with a knock on the front door, where former Orlando Pirates captain Happy Jele was waiting with exclusive Orlando Pirates merchandise for the two of them. After meeting Yonela and wishing her a happy birthday himself, Jele invited them to join him for a Vodacom RED Suite Experience at the Orlando Stadium.
And the celebration of an Orlando Pirates victory became Yonela’s own birthday celebration with her favourite team.
They were treated to VIP hospitality in the Vodacom RED Suite where Yonela was given a birthday cake, a Samsung Galaxy tablet from the Vodacom Gauteng region, and had “Happy Birthday” sung to her by her favourite Orlando Pirates players. They were given prime seats to watch the football. And after the match Yonela was taken onto the field and introduced to the players, many of whom picked her up and took her on their lap of honour thanking the fans.
“We had lots of fun with so many surprises throughout the day. I just want to say thank you to Vodacom for this wonderful experience, and thank you so much for everything that you did for my daughter. Please continue doing this great and amazing work for others as well, “says Zimkhitha.
Michelle van Eyden, Head of Sponsorship for Vodacom, shared how special it felt to bring Yonela’s birthday wish to life during such a meaningful year for Vodacom.
“As we celebrate Vodacom’s 30th birthday, we want to share the special connections that have stood out for us, with our customers as well. Our longstanding relationship with Orlando Pirates has meant so much to us over these years, and it’s a privilege to be able to share that with a new generation of young South Africans such as Yonela. By giving her an unforgettable moment with her favourite team and alongside her dad, it also truly reflects our hopes for the next 30 years of creating unforgettable memories with our customers,” she said.
Sometimes, it takes the courage to ask for that deeper connection. And this time, it was Vodacom that answered.