February 14th, 2011
So we're all familiar with the concept of Lobola. For those not in the know, it's a Southern African tradition in which a man makes a symbolic payment, traditionally of cows, for the hand of his betrothed.
Well what do you know, low fare airline kulula.com is providing a uniquely South African twist to the UK royal wedding by delivering a herd of cows to Buckingham Palace.
For every flight booked from 14 February to 28 April, kulula will make a contribution to the cost of a herd fit for a royal lobola. The cows will be sourced locally in the UK (to avoid shipping our local cows to an uncomfortably chilly climate and save on carbon emissions) following their acceptance by Kate's family. In order to calculate an appropriate bride price, kulula is inviting South Africans to register on their Facebook page, their opinion on the size of the herd that would make a suitable lobola.
"Wills has been a big fan of South Africa and we're big fans of him and his bride-to-be. We're more than happy, alongside our kulula fans, to be sending him the finest cows we can get our hands on in order to make their happy day even more special," said Nadine Damen, Marketing Manager at kulula.
In true royal fashion, they've come up with this commemorative plate and cup.
The airline also has ‘Special Romantic Royal Wedding Lobola Nice Flights' flight specials on offer in a bid to coax the royal couple down to South Africa for their honeymoon and to allow local lovebirds to also take flight (without having to sell any wedding presents).
"Let's face, it weddings are expensive and times are still tough. With all the royal pomp the Brits demand, we're sure the royal couple will be looking for some cheap, but lovely, deals in a warm climate to get over the whole thing," added Damen.
User Comments
LobolaSubmitted by Ricky on Wed, 02/16/2011 - 09:13. |
It is amazing at how some people complain and push innovation down, Kudus (or cows) to Kulua for this great idea, to all the whingers would you rather see thier marketing department spend thousands of rands on std boring methods and in the process pay ridiculas (SIC) amounts to the already corupt SABC for air time? Why when someone comes out with an innovative idea to market thier company everyone else demands that the money must be used for charity - most charities in this country are dihonest money making schemes in any way, get real Kulula Marketing Department has a job todo with a budget, the exposure they will get for thier company and if explained effectivly to overseas markets the exposure SA will get is huge, how many europeans know what Lobola is? This would tweak intrest in SA its people and customs and they would then want to visit this beatiful country with it resourceful people- and hopefully come here on a Kulula Flight? Drop the I demand hand out idea and imbrace innovation and thinking out of the box!!! Viva Kulula |
lolSubmitted by z on Tue, 02/15/2011 - 15:50. |
Its intresting. And a nice way to share a little bit of SA with the rest of the world. Face it guys, when the wedding hits everyone will be flooding the place with gifts. This way we can contribute a little too... even if it is part of an origanal marketing sceme hehe. Big moo guys. Its a great idea. |
She Should paySubmitted by GU on Tue, 02/15/2011 - 09:06. |
In the interest of dragging this tradition into the modern age, I think she should be the one paying the Labola. After all, he has much more to offer than she does. GREAT IDEA Kulula, always fresh and fun. |
LobolaSubmitted by Pieter S on Tue, 02/15/2011 - 08:57. |
Kulula, you are great. This would be a truly eye bogging present to the Brittish Royal couple (to be) |
Brilliant concept and alsoSubmitted by Anonymous on Tue, 02/15/2011 - 08:35. |
Brilliant concept and also don't forget that William as King will one day be head of the Commonwealth and SA is part of the commonwealth so it is only quite right and proper that "lobola". Also, where do we get a set of the "commemorative" plates. I have flights booked on Kulula on 23 April to Cape Town and back on 2 May right over the wedding period. Do I get a set? |
PatheticSubmitted by Anonymous on Tue, 02/15/2011 - 08:35. |
How stupid! I thought that the future husband pays the lobola so where does Kulula come with this pathetic idea! Not even funny! |
Great CampaignSubmitted by stack on Tue, 02/15/2011 - 08:33. |
I thinks its a great campaign - creative and fun! all you mother grundies out there whinging - its called ADVERTISING BUDGET!! why should kulula give their money allocated for marketing to some crooked charity oraganisation - they are an airline not a charity. Hope you guys will be selling those plates and mugs !! |
Waste of money. Keep theSubmitted by Anonymous on Tue, 02/15/2011 - 08:04. |
Waste of money. Keep the money here and spend it on South African projects. Its not like the royal family needs the money! |
Lame commentsSubmitted by Dirk on Tue, 02/15/2011 - 07:36. |
I think it is a good ad campaign. The whole purpose of advertising is to attract attention. Why does everyone feel the money should rather be used for charity, it is not like all of you spend all your extra money on orphans. |
Stupid royalsSubmitted by Johnny Juggleball on Tue, 02/15/2011 - 01:31. |
So who in SA actually gives a rat's @ss for the royal family? Funny and clever add campaign, but we just don't care. They are all pretty well inbreds in any way. |
PlatesSubmitted by Anonymous on Mon, 02/14/2011 - 22:11. |
I want a set of those lobola plates! Awesome! |
Your advertising company isSubmitted by Anonymous on Mon, 02/14/2011 - 19:39. |
Your advertising company is clever, how about 19 cows total of the wedding day digits added together. Big enough for a herd but not too ostentatious. |
roll over effectSubmitted by Anonymous on Mon, 02/14/2011 - 19:14. |
you guys just don't get it do you. It has nothing to do with the cows it is all to do with publicity!! Its an Ad campaign, companies like SAB and retailers spend 100's of millions of rands every year on ads. Kulula is doing this but saving a whole lot of money. They will get International exposure at a fraction of a cost of what it would have cost them. If 10 000 more tourists world wide come to SA and they have a good time and each tell 20 friends and one of those come to SA and so on it will actuallly do good for the country. BIG up kulula you guys are awesome and have the best marketing people in the country... |
THE ROYAL LEBOLASubmitted by Anonymous on Mon, 02/14/2011 - 15:23. |
What a unique idea. Well done Kulula - you rock! |
Agree & NotSubmitted by Anonymous on Mon, 02/14/2011 - 15:04. |
I Agree the Royal Family doesn't really need our money, I would look for something a bit more interesting. I also think our Welfare State, ready for hand outs ( not everyone fall into this category though), needs time to realize people want to send their money somewhere else and are going to to so... Kulula pays enough Moolah to the Charity Fund of South Africa (SARS), we are all fed up with them and don't want to give them a cent more than they deserve... Try the orphans in Haiti. |
PublicitySubmitted by TheWasp on Mon, 02/14/2011 - 13:29. |
It's very good for Kulula from a Publicity perpective but not good for their image. Yes we get it that you guys think are a fun company 'off the wall', 'out of the box' but you gonna get serious stick here as the monies collected could go to the underprivledged or a charity and you could get an equal the amount of media coverage localy.... I think you may need to review your ad agency here? |
Bad idea...Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 02/14/2011 - 13:26. |
Why don't you rather use that 'contribution' to build your fellow south africans a home! There are millions of South Africans that have nothing. Surely, the royal family don't need us to give them cows! As you said, its a South African tradition, not English. Charity starts at home. |
No DevelopmentSubmitted by MarketingThis on Mon, 02/14/2011 - 13:14. |
I am sure that your customers would rather their money go to a local charity than doing a fundraiser where ultimately the funds are going to the royal family!! I think kalula have taken their eye off the ball here, SA and local social development should be at the top of any campaign! NO MAN KALULA, as fun and lighthearted as it sounds it is a BAD IDEA!! PLUS a large quantity of the population couldnt give a rats a@# about the royal family. |
KululaSubmitted by Anonymous on Mon, 02/14/2011 - 12:46. |
Would it not be a better idea to collect funds equal to the amout of a decided Lobola and then distribute this to a South African charity...I feel this is a waste and am disappointed by this advertising project. Thumbs down Kulula! |
