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2020's lottery winners share how their Christmas is extra special now

Socially distanced Santa Keegan Mitchell with elves Nicola Pharo and Jenny Umbhau greets visitors at GrandWest in Cape Town on December 23 2020. Christmas definitely came bang on time for a number of lottery winners, whose names are withheld, who will be enjoying their new lives and helping others enjoy a merry Christmas too.
Socially distanced Santa Keegan Mitchell with elves Nicola Pharo and Jenny Umbhau greets visitors at GrandWest in Cape Town on December 23 2020. Christmas definitely came bang on time for a number of lottery winners, whose names are withheld, who will be enjoying their new lives and helping others enjoy a merry Christmas too.
Image: Esa Alexander/Sunday Times

A former cleaner at a shopping centre is able to rest over the festive season for the first time, while a Capetonian is sharing food parcels. These are two of this year's big lottery winners.

“We notice that this year, a lot of our winners are really more about giving and appreciating the gift of life, and this is inspired by the unparalleled holiday season that we are having this year [due to the coronavirus pandemic]. It is something that we have never experienced before,” said Charmaine Mabuza, group CEO of lottery operator Ithuba.

For a winner who bagged the R114m PowerBall jackpot in February, this festive season is all about resting and enjoying quality time with loved ones.

“Having worked as a cleaner at some of the busiest shopping malls in Johannesburg for years now, the festive season was the busiest and most exhausting time for me. I have never had the opportunity to enjoy the holiday season with my family and that has always made me feel sad and guilty. This year, my big plan for Christmas is to just relax in my new beautiful home with my loved ones. That to me is a dream come true,” she said.

The PowerBall Plus winner who scooped R81m in October says he has spent a lot of time doing charity work.

“I have been distributing food parcels to distressed families in the disadvantaged areas of Cape Town. I have come across a number of homes that have turned into child-headed households, where parents are reported to have died from Covid-19 related complications. This really devastated me and I ended up spending much more time on this than originally planned.

“I am excited though, as I have now moved into my new house, just last week - a beautiful, spacious five-bedroom house where I know lots of good memories will live. I am busy finalising furnishing the house with hope that everything will be done by Christmas Day, just on time for a memorable Christmas with my family,” said the winner.

The R77m PowerBall winner from June says he has already moved into his dream home with his family.

“Before I won, I already had my eyes on a property that was really my dream house. At the time it was just wishful thinking, but I soon won the jackpot and wasted no time in putting down the offer. I will spend my first Christmas with my family in my dream home,” he said.

He said he is downplaying the magnitude of his fortune as he does not plan to disclose his winnings to anyone else apart from his immediate family. “I am very careful not to draw attention to myself as I do not want a lot of people to know about my winnings. That is why I have decided to continue working for some time until I am comfortable that no-one will ask questions.”

It will be a quiet Christmas for a R153m PowerBall Plus winner. He said he would have loved to host a big lunch with family and friends, but will not be doing so this year. “I am concerned about the Covid-19 virus that is rapidly spreading. My partner and I plan to just keep things small – our safety and the safety of our loved ones is a priority to us.”

Sharing is caring for the R53m Lotto winner from November, who is pleased to enjoy a debt-free Christmas. “My wife and I have been praying for financial freedom and our prayers were answered. We will use a portion of our winnings to gift our close family and friends so that they may also enjoy some financial relief.”

TimesLIVE


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