A pensioner and subsistence farmer from rural Sekhukhune won R39,5 million in the Lotto Plus last Saturday.
The lucky winner used R7,50 to purchase his winning ticket at an informal flash trader in the area on the day of the draw.
The father of five said he was going to use some of the money to renovate his house, buy a tractor for his small farm and fund his children’s education.
“I am happy to have finally won the big prize. I have been a regular player since the introduction of Lotto in the country. I have been winning with three numbers, sometimes four, but I was never despondent. I heard stories of people who had won the jackpot before and I wanted to be one of them. I have five children. Only one has a tertiary qualification and I want to see all of them educated. I couldn’t take all of them to tertiary school because I rely on a social grant. I am happy that I will be able to give them an education,” he said.
Ithuba National Lottery Spokesperson Zukiswa Nomnganga said the money will be paid out to the pensioner tomorrow (Friday). “We are really happy for him and we hope that the money will change his life and that he will spend it wisely,” Nomnganga said.
The pensioner joins other 16 winners from the province who have won various Lotto jackpot prizes in the past years.
Nomnganga further stated that the growth of jackpot winners in the province shows that players are keen on their games and they trust them. “They believe in Lotto and they believe it can change their lives,” Nomnganga said.
Story: Herbert Rachuene
>>herbert@mailbox.co.za
