According to the National Lottery Ithuba, the ticket from the August 16, 2025, draw was purchased with a R20 quick pick. Image: File
The small coastal town of Umkomaas is buzzing with speculation after the National Lottery Ithuba confirmed that one lucky player could be holding a Lotto Plus 2 ticket worth over R10 million.
The winning ticket—purchased on August 16, 2025—was reportedly a R20 quick pick, the kind of spur-of-the-moment buy many South Africans make at a petrol station or corner shop without a second thought. But for one person in the eMkhomazi area (Umkomaas), that quick decision could have just changed their life forever.
A Town Holding Its Breath
On Sunday morning, the talk of the town wasn’t politics or football—it was the mystery millionaire. At tuck shops, taxi ranks, and beachfront cafes, locals are trading guesses about who the winner could be.
“It might be one of the pensioners who always plays with their grocery change,” said Thokozile Mthembu, a cashier at a local supermarket. “Or maybe a fisherman who bought a ticket after selling his catch. Yoh, this kind of money can turn someone’s life upside down—in a good way!”
For many in Umkomaas, a town with modest living standards, the possibility of a new millionaire among them has stirred excitement and hope. “This is a place where everyone knows everyone,” added Mthembu. “If someone suddenly buys a new bakkie or extends their house, trust me, the whole town will know who won.”
The Waiting Game
Ithuba, the National Lottery operator, confirmed in a statement that the jackpot remains unclaimed. CEO Charmaine Mabuza congratulated the winner-in-waiting:
“Participants in the eMkhomazi area are encouraged to promptly check their tickets to see if they are the newest National Lottery multi-millionaire. We can’t wait to meet them and hear their story.”
The winner has 365 days from the draw date to claim their prize. As with all lottery winnings in South Africa, the R10 million jackpot is tax-free—a rare windfall where every cent belongs to the winner.
From Quick Pick to Life-Changing Pick
The fact that the winning ticket was a quick pick—numbers chosen by the system rather than the player—has sparked conversations about luck versus strategy. Some lotto regulars swear by using birthdays, anniversaries, or “lucky numbers” passed down in families. Others, like this winner, leave it entirely to chance.
“For years, I’ve been picking my own numbers, but maybe this shows we should just let the machine decide,” laughed Sipho Dlamini, a taxi driver and self-professed “loyal lotto player.”
Dreams of a Jackpot Life
In a country where unemployment remains high and financial struggles are widespread, many South Africans fantasize about what they’d do with such a fortune. In Umkomaas, the answers range from practical to extravagant.
“First thing, I’d pay off my debts and build my mom a proper house,” said 24-year-old Zinhle Khumalo, a hairdresser. “Then I’d open my own salon and help other young girls in the area get jobs.”
Others dream bigger. “I’d buy a holiday home in Durban and maybe even overseas,” said one beachgoer. “Why not? Life is short.”
The Mystery Continues
Until the winner comes forward, Umkomaas is caught between suspense and speculation. Will it be someone who has quietly played the lotto for years without success? A first-time buyer? Or maybe someone who hasn’t even realized yet that they’re a millionaire?
Whoever it is, one thing is certain: their life—and possibly the life of their community—will never be the same.
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