From: Alexandra Sharnock
Sent: 02 December 2010 12:15 PM
To: 'Carl Wallace'
Cc: 'Mona Pillay'; 'melijedi@gmail.com'; 'kirstenvj@brandsrock.co.za'; 'kobah@ymail.com'; 'cbotha@live.com'; 'casey_julia@mac.com'; '14026465@sun.ac.za'; 'Tyron Sharnock'; 'info@topbilling.com'
Subject: RE: Bride of the Year

Dear Carl,

Thank you for your email. Whilst I appreciate the reply, I do feel it necessary to bring a few aspects to your attention.

Firstly, online Wedding Diary magazine clearly states in recent publications that " the Aleit Group is a partner of Wedding Diary", " The Aleit Group in collaboration with Wedding Diary and Top Billing is creating the most spectacular bridal competition ever" and " Our national bridal competition in association with The Aleit Group and Top Billing". As such, it can under no circumstances be deemed that Aleit was merely a sponsor. It is ludicrous to assume so given the promotional statements made by both Aleit and Wedding Diary.

In any event should one have cognizance of the CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT NO. 68 OF 2008, a “promotional competition” means any competition, game, scheme, arrangement, system, plan or device for distributing prizes by lot or chance if it is conducted in the ordinary course of business for the purpose of promoting a producer, distributor, supplier, or association of any such persons, or the sale of any goods or services and a “promoter” means a person who directly or indirectly promotes, sponsors, organises or conducts a promotional competition, or for whose benefit such a competition is promoted, sponsored, organised or conducted. Further to same, any person who is a director, member, partner, employee or agent of, or consultant to the promoter or any other person who directly or indirectly controls or is controlled by, the promoter; or a supplier of goods or services in connection with that competition may not participate in such competition. In this regard, it is clear that a distinction must be drawn between what is a promotional competition, and what is covered by the Lotteries Act.

From the above it is apparent that Wedding Diary’s conduct as well as that of Aleit are clearly in contradiction to the spirit of promotional competitions and against the intention of the Legislature.

In so far as “an independent judging panel”, it is with respect that I deem such statement to be utter nonsense and a complete fabrication. Aleit was physically involved in the judges deliberations and the video footage of the event shall attest to that.

In addition and further, your statement that “Chanel Ferreira was employed by the Aleit Group as this was openly discussed during the competition”, this is once again a gross untruth, and frankly irrelevant. As mentioned in my correspondence previously I only became aware of this fact minutes before the winner was announced. However, had I known prior to the 26^th November 2010 of the unorthodox manner of conducting this competition, I would not have wasted time, money and energy attending such event. As noted, participating in the competition necessitated 2 days leave from work, and expenditure in excess of R8000.00.

As previously noted, whilst I am disappointed in the handling of the competition, I note that I am even further disappointed by your lack of accountability and responsibility. To the extent that you fail to acknowledge the wrongfulness of the above, I reserve my rights in toto.