Smokoo continues to Mystify and Excite

There are now less than ten days to go before the mysterious Smokoo.co.za will lift the veil that has, until now, obscured its intriguing new online venture. At that time we shall learn finally just what its owners have laboured so hard to conceal from us to date.

Since Smokoo (Pty) Ltd first announced its impending launch date and triggered the countdown on its temporary web site at www.smokoo.co.za, each day, thousands upon thousands of curious South Africans have been making it a priority destination and it’s not that hard to see why.

As part of its pre-launch marketing campaign, Smokoo has chosen not to reveal the nature of its business. Instead, it has invited visitors to guess its purpose in exchange for the chance to win technology’s newest and most sought-after toy, an Apple iPad valued at around R10 000.

The company is still offering no clues as to its operation but has hinted that it will be a highly innovative and quite unique service for the exclusive benefit of online users resident in South Africa. This has prompted contestants to call upon their personal wish-lists and suggest such possibilities as a long-awaited and truly affordable ISP, a new and more competitive telecoms provider and even an online gambling site. The latter suggestion, however, seems highly unlikely as, despite new legislation rumoured to be in the pipeline, internet gambling still remains illegal in RSA.

Other popular suggestions include a homespun rival to facebook, an online dating service and a personalised electronic reminder service plus a host of highly imaginative and often quite desirable alternatives. 

Meanwhile the company remains as secretive as a papal conclave and, just as in a Vatican election, we have little choice but to simply sit back and keep an eye open for the long-awaited white Smokoo to appear knowing that, when it clears, all will, at last, be fully revealed. In the meantime, a lucky guess could still see someone walk off with that awesome iPad!