Fifteen inflated balloons and only one held the key to changing someone's life. Mercia Abramch was that lucky person whose balloon was popped; declaring her the winner of a brand new volcanic orange MINI Cooper as part of Damelin's national MINI Cooper Tier One car giveaway.
The finalists from across the country.
National Campus Manager for Damelin, Kapil Jaggeth together with the winner Mercia Abramch
MC at the Damelin Mini Cooper Finale, ECR presenter, Gabriel Sithole.
Enthralling the audience and the finalists with his magic was SABC celebrity magician, Mo Magic.
The Cape Town resident trembled in shock as she shared this moment with a live audience, including the other 14 semi-finalists from across the country, a host of journalists, photographers, family and friends on Saturday, 14 March at the Damelin Westridge Campus.
The eighteen (18) year old was speechless as celebratory music added to the electric atmosphere and fellow contestants, media and the public raced up to her for photographs, interviews and to offer their congratulations.
In an interview with her on the day, the reserved human resource management student said that the whole experience seemed surreal and she could not wait to return with her prize to her hometown of Paarl. She said, "I contacted my parents to inform them that I'd won, but they don't want to believe me. They're just as shocked as I am to hear that I've won the car. This will be my first brand new car and I can't wait to drive it."
Adding an element of magic to the programme was power-packed duo, SABC celebrity magician, Mo Magic, and popular East Coast Radio presenter, Gabriel Sithole who directed the morning's proceedings.
Mercia was one of the fifteen semi-finalists who was given an all-expense paid, VIP trip to Durban. Even though there could only be one winner, the remaining finalists, Thobile Dlamini (Durban), Lwazi Mathonsi (Durban), Ntobeko Makhanya (Pietermaritzburg), Bronwyn Krige (Cape Town), Lettie Masemola (Pretoria), Simphiwe Skosana (Menlyn), Petros Tratskas (Bramley), Nabeel Abrahim (Boksburg), Njabulo Nkambule (Benoni), Devaneliah Oliphant (Braamfontein), Mohau, Mogoregi (Bloemfontein), Tebogo Mafemani (Vaal), Noncedo Mntanya (Port Elizabeth) and Asithandile Ganyaza (East London) did not leave empty handed as they were each awarded a bursary to study a part-time course valued at R5000 at any Damelin campus nationwide. In addition, the finalists received a hamper of goodies and Damelin memorabilia, and for some, the opportunity to see the beach for the first time.
The draw process involved the semi-finalists names being inserted into individual inflated balloons and placed inside the car. The winning balloon was then randomly picked out by a member of the audience - revealing the much anticipated winner. The draw was monitored by a registered auditor, ensuring transparency and fairness of the competition.
Group Head of Communications for Damelin, Jessie Naidoo said, "This was indeed a marvellous ending to the Damelin MINI Cooper Tier One competition. The nervousness and anticipation on the morning of the draw culminated in an exciting and unforgettable experience for not only the ecstatic winner, but the semi-finalists and public in attendance. Having launched this campaign in October last year with two tiers, a successful completion of the first leg reinforces Damelin's aim to change lives positively and invest in the community and its students. She added, "On behalf of the Damelin team I would like to congratulate the beautiful Mercia on winning the MINI Cooper."
Damelin is a multi-award winning private higher education institution and has over 105 courses offering a variety of higher education degrees, diplomas, higher certificates, certificates and short courses. For more information, visit www.damelin.co.za or call 0860 326 354.
