Colesberg granny wins R65 million, reveals farming dreams

A SOFT-spoken pensioner from Colesberg, Northern Cape, has become a multimillionaire overnight after scooping the R65 million Lotto jackpot – her winning ticket tucked away under her bed for a nerve-wracking few days.

The ecstatic winner, who opted to remain anonymous, revealed she was playing her usual Lotto and PowerBall Quick Pick combo at her local outlet when luck struck on December 31, 2025 (draw 2607). “I cried and prayed … it took time to sink in,” she said, her voice still trembling with emotion.

The first person she shared the news with? Her husband. “He was as shocked as I was!” she laughed. A visit to Ithuba’s offices sealed the deal, easing her into her new reality.

A lifelong gardener with a passion for the land, the grandmother’s long-held dream of owning a livestock farm is finally within reach. “I’ve always loved working the land,” she said, her eyes lighting up. “Buying a plot to farm livestock has been a dream of mine, and now it can happen.”

Charmaine Mabuza, CEO of Ithuba, congratulated the winner, calling it “a season of reaping” and wishing her “wisdom, peace, and joy” on her new journey. The R20 Quick Pick ticket was purchased in Colesberg, changing this grandmother’s story forever.