A Gauteng woman’s life has been turned upside down — in the best possible way — after she claimed a whopping R124,602,697.30 PowerBall jackpot from the August 5, 2025, draw. What began as a simple R37.50 ticket purchase via the Absa Banking App has now rewritten her family’s future.
Choosing her numbers manually, the winner said she almost missed the life-altering news because she ignored multiple calls from an unfamiliar number. “I thought it was telesales,” she laughed. “But when I finally picked up, my bank told me to contact ITHUBA. I only learned the full amount when I arrived there — I’m still in shock.”
The woman, who asked to remain anonymous, shared that her family had been scraping by on a single income, with her husband unemployed for years. “It’s been tough — hand to mouth, really. Now, everything will change. This win is a blessing.”
At the top of her priorities? Rebuilding her late parents’ home as a lasting legacy and buying her first car, a long-held dream. Holding back tears, she added, “I just wish my parents were still here. There’s so much I would’ve wanted to do for them.”
As part of its Winner Services Programme, ITHUBA provided her with trauma counseling and financial guidance to ensure she steps into her new reality with confidence and support.
ITHUBA CEO Charmaine Mabuza celebrated the win, saying, “This life-changing jackpot will transform her family’s life. Stories like this are at the heart of what the National Lottery stands for.”
The win — from Draw 1639 — has captured the imagination of South Africans nationwide, reminding everyone that sometimes, one small ticket is all it takes to change everything.
