VODACOM DISTANCES ITSELF FROM QWELANE
Cell phone network Vodacom has distanced itself from Jon Qwelane’s views following complaints that it advertised underneath his recent homophobic column in the Sunday Sun.
An advert promoting the network was placed on the same page as the controversial July 20 article leading to a flood of outraged letters to the company and threats of a boycott from the gay and lesbian community.
Vodacom has started replying to the complaints via e-mail stating that it did not actually place the ad which it says was placed by a company that retails Vodacom products.
In the e-mail, Romeo Kumalo, Vodacom South Africa’s Sales & Marketing Executive Director, says that when advertisements are placed in a publication such as the Sunday Sun the advertiser is usually not aware of what will be published on that page.
Kumalo nevertheless writes: “Vodacom South Africa would like to confirm that it in no way supports, condones or wishes to be associated with the views expressed by the writer of the Sunday Sun column.”
Stunning. Full marks to the person or persons who submitted that complaint to Vodacom. Hitting the Sunday Sun where it hurts. 1000 karma points to you!
Replies. I appluaf Vodacom for distancing themselves and addressed each complain personally albeit with the same response.
my feelings are mixed…. …about this reaction of Vodacom. Please do not forget everything is about business and money nowadays and the LGT-community is large….many of them are Vodacom customers. Do not know how much of a marketing stunt this is from the Vodacom side and how much a true reflection of their positive feelings for our cause.!??
a little too late. I informed Vodacom the very next day that I would not be renewing my contract when it expires in August. I stated clearly why. To date, I have not had a reply and I continue to send emails daily to make it clear that my contract will not be renewed. Still nothing.
It makes my wonder if what Vodacom is saying is actually the truth. You cannot tell me that a large corporation, who spends millions in advertising a year, does not have a say in where its adverts are placed in a insignificant publication like ‘The Sunday Sun.’ Sorry Vodacom, but your statement comes a little too late for me.
Vodacom. Oh please get a life, Vodacom can not know what the jack ass was going to right and what his thoughts are… or not….
@ Jack. Many people will associate the advert with the article no matter if Vodacom had a say in its placement or not. It’s called guilty by association. Much like you’re guilty for being an idiot….