FOR two-and-half hours yesterday, several celebrities and senior SABC officials fielded calls during a telethon. By the end of the Morning Live breakfast show on SABC2, over R800000 had been raised for the Haiti relief fund.

FOR two-and-half hours yesterday, several celebrities and senior SABC officials fielded calls during a telethon. By the end of the Morning Live breakfast show on SABC2, over R800000 had been raised for the Haiti relief fund.

Celebrities such as hip-hop musician Zuluboy, former YFM presenter Andile Galeshewe, Selimathunzi presenter Kaos Matu, SABC acting head of news Phil Molefe and group chief executive Solly Mokoetle answered calls to raise money for the relief effort following the devastating earthquake in Haiti more than two weeks ago.

Matu said: "It was quiet moving. People were giving R200 and R2000. I didn't realise South Africans could be this giving."

The public broadcaster organised the telethon and an SMS line, which will run for the next six weeks.

Each SMS costs R10.

SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said they wanted to lend a hand, and South Africans had shown their generosity.

He also said the telethon was meant to encourage South Africans to open their hearts and wallets.

"The response was overwhelming and just goes to show that South Africans can always be counted upon to think of those less fortunate than themselves."

The money raised will be handed over to the International Relations and Cooperation Department for the handover.

Donations can still be made to this account: Absa Bank; Account: 923 884 4487; Branch Code: 632005.