An Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal man has laid claim to the R69 million Powerball jackpot from the September 2025 draw. According to National Lottery Ithuba, the winner will take home R69,284,942.70.
The lucky ticket was purchased in-store in Empangeni with a R45 wager and manual selection. The winner, a devoted husband and father in his 50s, 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 shared with Ithuba.
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,” he said.
In his 50s, he and his wife have been raising their children in a rented home all their 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.”
He expressed heartfelt relief that his children will now have the peace of mind to pursue their dreams without the pressure of 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 added.
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.”
Despite his newfound wealth, the winner intends to continue working. He 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.”
Ithuba CEO Charmaine Mabuza congratulated the winner, stating, “This is such a heart-warming story. We are thrilled to see the PowerBall PLUS jackpot transforming lives in such a meaningful way.”
