The Western Cape was at the forefront in terms of the most jackpot wins by province in 2020, but a year later it’s the inland – rather than coastal – provinces pushing for that primary post.
A 50-year-old man from Turffontein, south of Johannesburg in Gauteng was able to put some fat cash towards a house of his own in late January 2021.
He had pocketed a cool R32 million in the Lotto Plus draw and knew, almost straightaway, what he wanted to do with his newfound winnings.
“I have been living with my mother in her flat for a long time. First on my list is to buy a new house where both my mother and I will live comfortably. I will also pay for my daughter’s education, buy a car, get us all on medical aid and invest some of my winnings. Those are my priorities,” he said.
A few days prior, an office worker in North West walked off with approximately R38 million for her R20 Lotto ticket.
She made no immediate plans to quit her job and perhaps leave her humble North West living behind.
“I’m speaking to you from the office. I don’t plan to resign. My life is not going to change. I still can’t believe it. I have been playing the lottery for what seems like forever. I play every week,” she uttered.
And we won’t soon forget the man who bagged about R60 million from a Powerball draw in February. The winning financial-sector worker had just recently ended a relationship with his girlfriend. So the winnings came as a timely boost for his morale.
“I wish her all the best. She’s a wonderful person – it’s just that some things don’t work. And for that, I will get her a washing machine and some presents,” the generous recipient exclaimed.
More recently, a bachelor from Jo’burg joined Gauteng’s latest millionaires after winning around R7 million in the Lotto Plus draw.
Life was a bunch of roses for him shortly after Valentine’s Day on 14 February. Four days prior, he had pinned his hopes on the numbers 6, 17, 27, 29, 30, 37 and the bonus ball 41.
Indeed, those digits worked for him.
“I do not have a large family. My immediate family is my mother, brother and his children, and that is who I want to assist to simplify their lives,” he enthused.
“I was just so excited but also felt very nervous.”
There you have it. An early lead for Gauteng over the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and other South African provinces. North West are in the running, too, and only time will tell whether Free State, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape and other geographical regions can catch up. It’ll be a hang of a contest, akin to the inter-provincial rivalries relished by some of the country’s rugby, cricket and football teams.
