Another Powerball winner bags R81 million

The proud father won a hefty R81 million and is looking forward to supporting his family with the winnings and others less fortunate than him. “I feel honoured that finally I will be able to do much more than just give a R5 coin to the homeless,” he was quoted as saying by several media outlets. The man’s victory is the latest in a string of good results for South Africans, who have been on the right side of historical Powerball results and other lottery categories. Earlier this year, an unnamed recipient walked off with R37 million. The person had been using the same numbers for four years before they finally paid off in a big way. “I wanted to play the quick pick selection because I thought I have been playing the same numbers for years and the maximum amount I have won was R1,200 in the daily draw early this year, so I thought maybe it’s time I changed my playing strategy,” he said. “I asked the cashier for quick pick selection, but before I gave her the money, my gut told me that today might be the day I strike it lucky and opted to play the same numbers manually. “It was only after the fifth number that my heart began racing and I realised I might be the jackpot winner.” The origins of the man’s choice of numbers are not known, but does speak to the selections others make. Many base their picks on anniversary and birth dates. Others make their choices rather randomly. They can also be based on horoscope numbers and even digits imagined in dreams. “I slept with the ticket under my pillow for two nights and kept on waking up every hour to check if indeed I’m the holder of the lucky jackpot-winning ticket and not dreaming,” added the winner of the R37 million. In terms of what lottery winners spend their winnings on, a 2019 study by the Bureau for Market Research reflected that the need for household necessities rather than luxury items are priortised. Thereafter, giving money to family, paying off debt, buying property and covering entertainment happened with the winnings. This was exemplified in November 2019, when a Powerball winner of R114 million looked after the studies of family members and invested the rest. This year’s R81 million winner echoed this selfless sentiment – and also typified the findings of the study. “I want to buy a house so my children can live comfortably. I also want to spend part of my winnings helping the homeless people in East London,” he enthused. The first half of 2020 was actually quite prolific for lottery winners in South Africa. Prior to August, the biggest winner in the Powerball Plus was R153 million. The lowest win in the top 10 was approximately 14 million. If you are wondering what number combination the winner opted for – 7, 13, 23, 37, 39 plus seven was it.