Celebrating the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Indian indentured labourers in Natal and the birth of this community in South Africa, Durban’s Suncoast Casino & Entertainment World has partnered with radio station Lotus FM on its ‘Celebrate 150’ campaign to raise funds and provide computers to 10 deserving schools from Durban communities.

(left to right): Ready to kit out deserving schools with computer equipment are SUNCOAST’s Brand Manager Sandile Xolo and PR Manager Prinella Pillay with Lotus FM’s Shirdika Pillay and O’Neil Nair.

The Celebrate 150 radio campaign kicked off on Lotus FM on Monday, 23 August and will run for 11 weeks until 12 November 2010. It features daily radio snippets zoning in on iconic members of the Indian community, coupled with an sms pledge line to raise funds for the computer drive. 

SUNCOAST has already donated R10,000 to get the funds underway and invested significantly in advertising to increase awareness of the campaign.  

Says SUNCOAST marketing manager Eugene Boniface, “During the 150 year journey of Indians in South Africa, many of the community’s icons placed great emphasis on the value of a good education as the cornerstone of success in their new land.

“As such we felt very strongly that a focus on education needed to form part of our 150 year celebrations.”

Members of the public are encouraged to donate R5.00 by SMS’ing ‘CELEBRATE 150’ to 36015.

There is no limit on the number of times one may pledge and those who donate stand the chance to win the grand prize of a weekend stay for two at the Suncoast Hotel & Towers Penthouse valued at R20,000. SUNCOAST will also host a special pledge day at the casino complex on 28 October.

Schools are urged to submit motivations outlining why they should qualify to be one of the 10 schools to receive computer equipment. Submissions should include a brief background on
the school and additional information including achievements or any prominent icons who might have attended the institution.

Submissions can be delivered via:
Email: to celebrate150@tsogosun.com  
Hand delivery to: Suncoast Club Festival Desk, marked Suncoast Celebrate 150
Snail mail: to Suncoast Celebrate 150, PO Box 10132, Marine Parade, Durban, 4056.

The closing date for submissions is 1 October 2010 and the winning schools will be announced at the end of the campaign in November.

Corporates and individuals wanting to contribute larger amounts can also make a direct deposit to:
Nedbank General
Acc. No.: 1454043148
Branch Code: 145405
Reference: Celebrate 150

For further details log onto: www.suncoastcasino.co.za

Media Enquiries:
Jozi Donjeany
Meropa Communications
Tel: 031 2010 550
Cell: 0798982211
jozid@meropa.co.za

For more info: 
SUNCOAST Marketing Department
Tel: 031 328 3000
www.suncoastcasino.co.za