A Pretoria man who recently won a staggering R100 million in the Powerball Lotto has quit his job, according to an insider. The winner, whose identity remains protected, claimed the life-changing prize in the draw on Friday, 24 January, after the jackpot had rolled over 16 consecutive times.
The news of his resignation came to light through a tweet by X user @Kgadiyabatlhalo, who revealed that the man discovered his winnings while at work. “A guy who works with my little sister won R100 million Powerball. He only found out yesterday while at work,” she tweeted on Tuesday. “He immediately packed his things, and that was it.”
A guy who works with my little sister won 100 million powerball.He only found out yesterday while at work.
He immediately packed his things and that was it.
— Kgadi
(@Kgadiyabatlhalo) January 28, 2025
The tweep hinted that the man worked for an IT company and had used his FNB banking app to place his bet. She added, “So the whole weekend, he was already a millionaire but didn’t know.”
Another X user, @_KevinZA, claimed to be a colleague of the lucky winner. He tweeted, “We were all in disbelief. Such a humble guy. He deserved it.” He added humorously, “We were unable to work after.”
It remains unclear whether the winner disclosed his newfound fortune to his employer before resigning.
Why Do Lotto Winners Remain Anonymous?
Unlike lottery winners in many other countries, South African winners often choose to keep their identities secret. This is legally protected under the Data Protection Act, which prevents the national lottery operator, Ithuba, from revealing personal information without the winner’s consent.
There are several reasons why winners prefer to remain anonymous:
Crime
South Africa’s high crime rates make it risky for lottery winners to publicise their windfall. Announcing a multi-million-rand win can make them targets for theft, kidnapping, and extortion.
Black Tax
Many South Africans face the pressure of “black tax,” where they are expected to financially support extended family members. Winning the lottery could exacerbate these demands, leading some winners to keep their good fortune private to avoid being overwhelmed by requests for money.
Unwanted Attention
Sudden wealth often attracts unwanted attention from friends, family, and even strangers. Winners may prefer to avoid the constant knocking on their doors for handouts.
Splashing the Cash
Without careful planning, lottery winnings can be quickly squandered. Winners may wish to keep their spending habits private to avoid public scrutiny or judgment. Ithuba offers free financial and trauma counselling to all winners to help them manage their newfound wealth responsibly.
Media Scrutiny
Winning the lottery can thrust individuals into the spotlight, with media outlets eager to cover their story. This intrusion into their private lives is something many winners wish to avoid.
A Tragic Reminder of the Risks
The dangers of publicising lottery wins were tragically highlighted in May 2005, when a family in Middelburg was attacked and killed after being mistakenly believed to have won the lottery. Two men, Johannes Eugene Mahlangu, 33, and Johannes Fani Mtsweni, 31, confessed to raping the family’s eight-year-old daughter in an attempt to force her parents to reveal their supposed winnings.
Inspector Leonard Hlathi, speaking to the media at the time, clarified that the family had not actually won the lottery. However, the mistaken belief led to their horrific ordeal, underscoring the risks associated with being perceived as a lottery winner.
A New Chapter for the R100 Million Winner
For the latest Powerball winner, the R100 million prize marks the beginning of a new chapter. While his identity remains a mystery, his decision to resign from his job suggests he is ready to embrace the opportunities his windfall brings.
Ithuba continues to support winners through financial counselling, ensuring they are equipped to make informed decisions about their futures. As for the Pretoria man, his colleagues’ reactions reflect a mix of disbelief and joy for his good fortune.
As @_KevinZA aptly put it, “Such a humble guy. He deserved it.”