adminbe the first time it has assigned the sponsorship to a particular Telecel brand or product.
The sponsorship is worth more than US$50 000, an indication of the value Telecel attaches to the arts and in particular to Hifa, which provides a week of top-class artistic events featuring well-known international and local performers.
Telecel Red was recently introduced as a fixed payment service, ideal for the up-and- coming executive and frequent mobile phone user, offering flexibility and a number of benefits, including unlimited local calls to one frequently used Telecel number, all Telecel numbers or all local numbers, depending on the subscription.
A subscription of US$30 per month entitles the subscriber to up to US$30 worth of local calls, data and texts during the month plus unlimited calls to one Telecel number and 60Mb of data.
The US$60 subscription allows the subscriber up to US$60 worth of local calls and data plus unlimited calls to any Telecel number, unlimited text messages to any local number and 120Mb of additional data every month.
For US$150 per month the Telecel Red subscriber has unlimited usage for local calls, text messages and data.
The Telecel Red subscriber, who enjoys priority service at all Telecel outlets, can opt for a prepaid or post-paid contract.
As a local company that is part of an international telecommunications group, Telecel Zimbabwe sees Hifa, which features both local and international singers, dancers, actors and other artistes, as particularly deserving of its support.
“Like Hifa, we see the benefits of bringing together local and international expertise and associate ourselves with self-expression and innovation.
“We believe Telecel Red, which is a unique and innovative product, blends in well with this annual event,” said Telecel PR/CSR manager Francis Chimanda.
“Telecel Red is the first of its kind in Zimbabwe. The Telecel Red packages are the first with unlimited usage to be offered by any network in Zimbabwe,” he said.
“Like Hifa, we seek to provide exposure to local and aspiring artistes. We are doing this through yet another of our services, Teletunes, which provides local artistes with a new means of earning royalties.
“Teletunes allows subscribers to replace with music the ringing tone that those calling them normally hear,” said Chimanda.
There is a wide selection of tunes and categories of music to choose from. Local musicians are paid royalties by the local content provider for any of their songs used on Teletunes. International musicians are also paid royalties.
Chimanda said Telecel looked upon Teletunes not only as a service to its customers but also as a means of contributing to the promotion of local music and the income of local musicians. “The arts are a form of communication. Communication is our business at Telecel. That is why we have, since 2010, felt Hifa is a community initiative that we cannot let pass without our participation.
“Communication through drama, poetry, dance and music plays an important role within our society. This is why we believe Hifa is an important event that deserves our support,” Chimanda said.
The Regional Centre for Social Responsibility Awards recently announced Telecel Zimbabwe as the winner of its Outstanding in Arts, Culture, Children and Creative Arts Development Award. The announcement was made during the 2013 Corporate Social Responsibility Indaba held in Harare.
Online Reporter