. . . Edgar Sadomba ignored the laughs, kept buying Coca-Cola, and drove home a Hyundai i10
By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
HARARE — Edgar Sadomba’s journey to winning a brand-new car began with just US$5 worth of airtime.
The Glennorah man had entered the Coca-Cola FIFA World Cup promotion on a whim and won US$5 in his first attempt. He tried again and won US$1. Most people might have stopped there — but not Sadomba.
He kept participating. He kept buying loads of Coca-Cola. And when the first car draw was held and he lost the ultimate prize, he still did not stop.
His workmates laughed at him for his consistency. Even after the first car draw came and went, he continued.
Guest Kundayi Mawema, Delta Beverages Marketing Manager Lagers hands over the car registration book to Edgar Sadomba
“It was not easy, because the bar codes were too small to read,” Sadomba told guests at the official handover on Tuesday at the Coca-Cola plant in Graniteside.
But Sadomba had no idea that a second car draw was coming. He kept participating until his phone battery died.
“Fortunately, when I switched it on, a call came through from a Coca-Cola official saying I had won the ultimate prize,” he said.
Sadomba’s winning streak concluded when he landed the ultimate prize: a brand-new Hyundai i10. The keys were handed over to him by guest of honour Kundayi Mawema, Delta Beverages Marketing Manager – Lagers.
The moment was made even sweeter by the presence of his wife and relatives, who watched as Sadomba received his prize in full view of the cheering crowd.
Coca-Cola Operations Executive Henry Nyoni said the handover was a special milestone for the company.
“I would really like to invite you and welcome you to this celebratory event. We are thrilled as Coca-Cola to be here for this very special milestone, which is the official handover of the Coca-Cola FIFA World Cup promotion,” Nyoni said.
“At Coca-Cola, we believe football is a shared emotion that unites us all, which is why you are here today. Through this campaign, our goal was to bring the global magic and excitement of the World Cup directly to our passionate local consumers.”
Nyoni said the promotion was about turning everyday moments into extraordinary experiences.
“Today, we are doing just that by turning an everyday consumer moment into an extraordinary, life-changing experience. By simply refreshing with a yellow-capped Coca-Cola, one lucky individual unlocked the grand prize.”
Addressing Sadomba directly, Nyoni said: “To our grand prize winner, congratulations. Your journey from buying a simple beverage to this ultimate event where you are being handed over a very special prize is something that we share with you and we celebrate your win.
“We wish you countless safe and happy journeys ahead.”
Sadomba’s story is one of quiet determination. He was not the loudest participant, nor the luckiest at first. He won small prizes, lost the big one, and endured the laughter of his workmates.
But he kept going. And in the end, his persistence paid off in the form of a brand-new car — and a story he will tell for the rest of his life.
As Nyoni put it: “Let us keep refreshing our memories and sharing the magic.”
For Sadomba, the magic is now parked in his driveway.
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