Press Releases

MTN Group extends an Ayoba welcome to malaria champion

MTN was the first to extend a warm South African welcome to 12-year-old United Against Malaria (UAM) campaigner, Charles Ssali, who jetted into the country this morning for a tour that is expected to culminate with him securing the South African government’s commitment to continuing the fight against malaria.

Ssali’s reception at MTN Innovation Centre builds on the company’s collaboration with UAM - a coalition of football stars, non-governmental organizations, governments and corporations - that are taking advantage of the forthcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ to raise awareness and secure further commitment globally to keep up the fight against malaria.

Ssali says his role in the UAM allows him to show his passion for football and encourage people to continue the fight against malaria.

As the first and only African global sponsor of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ and member of UAM, MTN has identified the reduction of malaria infections as one of the key legacy areas of Africa’s first ever Football World Cup. This pledge is a continuation of MTN’s long-standing social responsibility undertaking aimed at ensuring that the company’s business activities variously contribute to improving social conditions in emerging markets, especially in the countries where it operates.

Addressing the media during the reception at MTN, Chairman of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Local Organising Committee, Dr. Irvin Khoza, said: “In Africa soccer is not only a passion, it’s a religion. An overwhelming majority of African boys, and to a rapidly growing extent girls, have as their first heroes outside of their parents - soccer stars.

“It is therefore fitting and relevant that on the eve of Africa’s World Cup, United Against Malaria has put together a formidable team that is focused on ensuring that the legacy of the World Cup is combating social challenges facing Africa’s soccer loving communities,” said Khoza.

Ms. Nozipho January-Bardill, MTN Group Executive: Corporate Affairs, concurred: “Our focus on malaria gives expression to MTN’s mission to create a lasting legacy by utilising our operating footprint to provide and distribute anti-malaria mosquito nets to reduce the prevalence of the disease in Africa. We will also use our facilities and marketing activities, especially in our 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ outreach, to support malaria awareness and education campaigns in the countries where we operate.”

Uganda-born Ssali, a malaria survivor, jetted into Johannesburg last night after a whirlwind tour that started in Addis Abba, took him to New York and then to Brussels. The last leg of the journey will take Charles to Cape Town during the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Draw, where it is hoped his message will strengthen the commitment to combating malaria and ending preventable deaths by the time the next FIFA World Cup™ comes around in 2014.