OK Grand Challenge
 | |
| Date | April 11, 1989 |
|---|---|
| Venue | OK Zimbabwe shops around the country |
| Location | Harare |
| Patron(s) | OK Zimbabwe Limited |
| Awards | Retail Promotion of the Year 2011 |
| Website | www |
The OK Grand Challenge jackpot promotion is an annual shoppers promotion that is run by OK Zimbabwe. The promotion is run annually primarily between April and June, give customers an opportunity to win prices including vehicles, residential stands and cash after having purchased goods at any of the store's branches.
Background
The OK Grand Challenge is a promotion in which customers from around Zimbabwe shop for groceries, furniture and other goods and are then rewarded with a competition coupon that makes them eligible for an entry into the contest. The customer then fills out their relevant details on the coupon and they then tender it at any OK store around the country after which coupons from around the country are all gathered and put together for a final draw that has traditionally been held at the Borrowdale Race Course. There is also the horse race which also draws huge crowds to the race course. The inaugural edition of the competition was held in 1988.[1] Some of the companies that have partnered with OK over the years to ensure the growth and annual hosting the grand challenge include Econet Wireless Zimbabwe, Delta Bevereges and Innscor
How the OK Grand Challenge Works
To participate in the OK Grand Challenge, all a customer needs to do is buy goods of the monetary value prescribed by OK at any OK Shop around the country. After purchasing the goods, customers are then given coupons on which they fill in their details on the coupon and submit the coupons in the containers provided in OK Stores. The more the customer buys, the more coupons they get and the more their chances of winning are. The coupons are then gathered up from all OK Stores around the country for a national draw where people win an assortment of prizes such as cars, houses, residential stands and and price discounts
Horse Racing
Part of the activities that are held at the Grand Challenge include a horse racing which has been part of the annual programme for a long time. The race draws jockeys from other countries such as South Africa, Botswana and Namibia. The horse race event by OK Zimbabwe is run in conjunction with Mashonaland Turf Club which provides technical support for the race. Between the years 2008 and 2009, the OK Grand Challenge was suspended due to tough economic conditions but the horse race was still conducted for those two years.
Grand Prize Draw
The Grand Prize Draw has been held for a very long time and is one of the defining features of the OK Grand Challenge. Usually the grand prize is a motor vehicle. The grand prize won by a lot of people in its long history. Some of the winners of the cars at the annual event ranged from ordinary people like vendors to other prominent people in society.[2] The competition is also renowned for letting its customers to win flashy cars such as Ford Rangers of various makes. The grand prize is very popular due to the instant rewards that come with it. In recent competitions, the company has put up as many as 25 cars for customers to win at the grand challenge. Apart from the vehicles and other consolation prizes that are won by people, there are aslso residential stands which people win.[3]
The OK Grand Challenge Soccer Challenge
The soccer competition was introduced in 2002 and ran until 2005. The inaugural edition of the competition was won by Amazulu Football Club after beating Dynamos Football Club. Shabanie Mine Football Club went on to win the second edition of the competition before the tournament was renamed the OK Woza Bhora Trophy. The 2004 final featured Football Club and CAPS United Football Club and Dembare went on to win the match. In the 2005 edition, Masvingo United Football Club beat Highlanders Football Club 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Unfortunately, the competition was discontinued after the 2005.[4]
Entertainment Facilities
To provide the patrons with entertainment, the grand challenge hosts prominent artists such as Alick Macheso, Sulumani Chimbetu and Jah Prayzah. There is also a section where children are also provided with their own entertainment activities such as face painting and jumping castles.
Awards
The promotion was awarded the Retail Promotion of the Year Award by the Marketing Association of Zimbabwe for 2011.[5]
References
- ↑ Reginah Kanonge 25 and still Going Strong, The Eye, Published: 2013, Retrieved: April 22, 2015
- ↑ Fortious Nhambura From pushcart to Ford Ranger... but OK Grand Challenge Winner may sell car for house, The Herald, Published: June 12, 2014, Retrieved: April 21, 2015
- ↑ OK Grand Challenge launched, NewsDay, Published: April 13, 2012, Retrieved: April 21, 2015
- ↑ Zimbabwe (and Rhodesia) Cup Winners, RSFF, Published: No Date Given, Retrieved: April 27, 2015
- ↑ Structure and ownership, OK Zimbabwe Investor, Published: No Date Given, Retrieved: 9 May 2014
