ITHUBA, operators of the national lottery, have announced that the winner of the R69 284 942.70 PowerBall Plus jackpot from the draw on Tuesday, 23 September, has come forward to claim his life-changing winnings.
The lucky ticket was purchased in-store in Empangeni in KwaZulu-Natal, with a R45 wager and manual selection.
The winning numbers were 10, 14, 25, 42 and 50 while the PowerBall Plus bonus number was 18.
‘Overwhelmed’
The winner, a husband and father in his 50s, shared that he is still overwhelmed by the reality of his new fortune.
“I honestly couldn’t believe my eyes. To think that I would one day see so many zeros in my bank account, it still feels like a dream,” he said.
For him, this win is more than just financial freedom, it is a generational blessing.
“The burden of children having to take care of their parents while they only start attending to their own basic needs later in life ends with me.
“In my 50s, my wife and I have been raising our children in a rented home all our lives. Now, we can finally own a home of our own, and I want to make sure my children will also have houses once they complete their studies and start working.”
Relief
He expressed heartfelt relief that his children will now have the peace of mind to pursue their dreams
without being rushed into adult responsibilities.
“They must have the freedom to build the lives they want without the weight of providing for us, like I had to. Education will be their foundation, and I’ll make sure of that,” he said.
The winner also reflected on his elderly mother, who is over 80 years old.
“There is nothing more I can do for her now, but one thing I’ve always wished for is to take her to a 5-star hotel. She deserves that experience, and I know she will love it.”
Will keep working
Despite his newfound wealth, the winner intends to continue working. He also revealed that he and
his wife plan to travel together.
“We will start local, exploring South Africa, and then gradually travel internationally. But we will only do this from the interest earned on investments. I am going to take care of these winnings. They are a blessing for my family, and I must preserve them.”
Congratulating the winner, ITHUBA CEO Charmaine Mabuza, said: “This is such a heart-warming story.
“We are thrilled to see the PowerBall Plus jackpot transforming lives in such a meaningful way.
“With careful planning and investment, this win will benefit generations to come.
“That is exactly what we aim for at ITHUBA – that our jackpots bring lasting, life-changing impact.”
DID YOU KNOW?
As digital participation grows, with over 60% of tickets now bought via banking platforms, it is important for players to note that the national lottery is available on eight banking partners: Absa, Nedbank, FNB, Capitec, Old Mutual, TymeBank, Standard Bank, and African Bank.
Winners who win R50 000 and above receive free trauma counselling from professional psychologists and financial advice from accredited financial advisors absolutely free. At the same time, winnings are paid tax-free directly into the winner’s accounts.
Players must be 18 years old in order to play.
Next draw
The next PowerBall and PowerBall Plus draws will take place on Tuesday, 30 September from 20:58.
The PowerBall jackpot stands at a guaranteed R100 million, with the PowerBall Plus jackpot at R5 million.
Click here to view past PowerBall results and payouts.
