Having had to end his relationship with his girlfriend, the guy later found out he had won the SA Powerball to the tune of R60 million. “My live-in girlfriend had just broken up with me, and I was not in the best of moods. By the time I checked the results on Friday night, I was by myself as she had already moved out,” he said. “When I realised that I had won, I thought I was dreaming. I immediately went to take a cold shower and then came back to check again. It was real – lady luck was on my side.” He was the country’s first multi-million Powerball winner of the year, leaving citizens across the country eager to hear more about his triumph. The 30-something financial professional is understandably eager to ensure his newfound wealth is allocated properly. “I am not going to resign. I also want to do animal charity work as I feel that animals have really been neglected. I will also buy my ex-girlfriend a fridge, probably a washing machine, too,” he added. His triumph and circumstances were all the more popularised by local radio stations. Carl Wastie, via his Flash Drive show, posed a hypothetical scenario. It was based largely on the recent SA Powerball winner’s victory after ending things with his partner. Wastie wanted to know what the first reactions of his co-host and listeners would be if they won a big lottery prize after some relationship difficulties in the preceding week. Some of the responses centred around the good fortune of the winner and his ambition to look after the needs of animals in need. “How very good of him to get involved with animals that need help,” exclaimed one listener. “I like that he is going to do this and I commend him for his efforts. Just think how much dog and cat food can be bought with just a portion of that money. This is really good of him.” Another person who phoned into the show suggested he should do a bit more than buy his ex-girlfriend a fridge and washing machine. “Perhaps he could think about buying her a car or a flat as well. She might deserve that. Either way, it’s now his money and he can do with it what he wants. He sounds like he is clued up and knowledgeable, so I’m pretty sure he will invest it wisely,” added the listener. “Good for him. I will keep trying to win, myself, and maybe one day I will feature in one of these great stories. Holding thumbs, indeed.” There have been many feel-good stories that have accompanied instances of people winning the lottery in South Africa over the years. With this one to start 2021, it might prompt more mense from Kokstad and Cape Town to Pretoria and Pofadder to involve themselves in the SA Powerball in the months to come.
