Pretoria domestic worker wins R70m jackpot

A domestic worker and single mom from Pretoria became a multi-millionaire last Tuesday after she won the Powerball Plus jackpot, Rekord East reports.

The jackpot was worth R70 873 741.

The mother of one bought her ticket at a Shell garage for only R7.50, lottery operator Ithuba said in a statement on its website.

“She initially thought only four numbers that she played had won,” it said.

“Her employer later told her that she had in fact won the big jackpot.”

She immediately rushed back to the garage where the cashier advised her to go to the Ithuba offices to claim her winnings.

“The mother said she had been drowning in debt as she was the sole breadwinner,” said the statement.

“The night before the draw, she said she put her ticket in the Bible a friend had given her, went on her knees and prayed to God for a sign her troubles would be over.”

“When she could not sleep, she again asked God to bless her and her family with good fortunes.”

Ithuba said the winner had already resigned from her job as a domestic worker for over 30 years.

She now plans to use her winnings to renovate the family home she shares with her daughter, grandchild and younger brother.

“She also wants to help her daughter with her tertiary fees so that she could be the first in their family to get a tertiary qualification.”

“She has also received free financial advice and trauma counselling as part of the winners’ support programme.”

The mother planned to continue playing the lottery despite winning the jackpot.

“She also planned to keep her winning receipt in her Bible as a reminder to always thank God for her fortunes.”