A father of five has come forward to claim his R19 million Lotto jackpot and intends to buy his first car.
The man won the jackpot from the November 20, 2024 draw, National Lottery Ithuba said.
He visited the Ithuba office six days after his win, accompanied by his son and brother, to validate his ticket and collect his winnings.
“I play the same numbers all the time, and this time, I noticed that my lucky numbers matched the winning numbers. I asked my son to go to the shop to get my ticket validated," the winner told Ithuba.
He said for safekeeping, he placed his ticket underneath his mattress.
While overjoyed, he expressed that the win hasn’t completely surprised him and doesn’t plan to make any major changes to his current way of life.
“I haven’t thought about retiring yet. I’m a simple man, and I will continue working and maintaining my humble lifestyle,” he said.
The winner plans to use his winnings to buy his first car, build a home for his elderly mother in a rural village, and invest in quality education for his children.
“My children and I live in a two-bedroom house with an outside toilet.
"The younger ones three sleep with me, while the older children sleep in the outside structure. I want to make home improvements and buy beds for my children."
Ithuba CEO Charmaine Mabuza said: “We are overjoyed with this incredible win and share in our winner’s excitement. We are committed to supporting the winner by providing trauma and financial counseling to help him transition into his new life and make informed decisions about his newfound wealth."
In another winner story, a woman who bagged the R2.7million Lotto jackpot from the November 23, 2024 draw plans to buy a "big house" for her family.
She wasted no time in claiming her prize two days after winning,Ithuba said.
She played using a banking app.
IOL News