A bright future for Sunshine D winner!

May 2010

When Nontle Sylvia Yalezo heard that she had won R10 000 in the Sunshine D Consumer Competition recently, she wept with joy. She knew that her lifelong dream of owning a home would soon be a reality- all thanks to Willowton Oil, the manufacturers of Sunshine D margarine and medium fat spread.

"The idea behind our Sunshine D Consumer Competition was to reward our loyal customers in rural areas around the country. We acknowledge that our success over the past 40 years is largely due to the millions of consumers who know and love our products and this was one of the ways we used to thank them.

We are delighted that Nontle will soon have a new home. It reminds us that there are still great rewards in little acts of kindness," says Hilton Cairns, National Marketing Manager of Willowton Oil.

In addition to giving back to their loyal customers, Willowton Oil is also highly respected for its role in community empowerment programs which promotes education by awarding bursaries and sponsoring sporting development. This uplifts those less fortunate, regardless of race, colour and creed.

The Sunshine D Consumer Competition heralded 65 000 entrees from all parts of South Africa, including Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, KZN, Free State and North West. It opened on 31 October 2009 and ran until 15 February 2010. Apart from in store adverts, consumers were informed about the competition via Sunshine D Promobiles that visited local stores and wholesalers encouraging consumers to participate.

Yalezo, a domestic worker at Ted’s B&B in Gardens, Cape Town had no idea that buying her favourite medium fat spread would be so rewarding. She hoped to build a new home for her little nephew whom she adopted last year after his mother (her sister) died. She dreamed of providing a stable roof over his head, instead of the shack they currently live in. With her prize money that’s exactly what she will invest in.

"Once Willowton Oil had heard of Yalezo’s amazing story they decided to donate a further R10 000 to her taking the total up to R20 000, to make sure her dream of building her new house became a reality," Cairns continued.

"I always buy Sunshine D because it tastes good and is affordable to me. When I went to the local shop in Langa, I saw that there was a competition and decided to enter. I cannot believe that I won. God heard my prayer!" says an elated Yalezo.

While Yalezo was the lucky one who won herself R10 000, hundreds more of Willowton’s loyal consumers were given shopping bags, caps, Sunshine D samples, magnets, tablecloths and many more exciting prizes in the run up to the end of the competition. The top trading store also received a branded Sunshine D popcorn machine for submitting the most correct entries.

"Sunshine D will remain the people’s brand because our vision is to provide an excellent product matched with superior service, to meet the needs of its valued customers and to always bear in mind its social responsibility," concludes Cairns.