By Theodorah Mawasha
KGAPANE– Eddie Ngoako Mahasha who hails from Meidingen, in the Greater Letaba Municipality has no regrets on how he spent his lotto winnings.
The humble “Bra Eddie” as he is affectionately known reflects on how the money came when he had just lost his driving job and only had R13 in his bank account.
“After losing my job, I became despondent and developed a gambling habit. I had always bet the lotto even when I was working and would tell my colleagues that I will one day strike it rich” He said.
As luck would have it. He woke up one day to check the winning lotto numbers on his ticket. To his surprise, all the six numbers matched the ones that were drawn
“I thought my eyes were deceiving me at first. This was in March 2005. I won 7 million. The following month of April, I won a further 1.1 million. My ancestors were seriously rooting for me and I blew it all ” He mentioned.
Growing up in poverty contributed to him making bad choices about his money. He was raised by his mother and it was befitting that he would want to build his mother the house of her dreams.
“The first thing I did was buy a brand new convertible. I then built my mother a house and donated it to charity organizations and the needy. I was the talk of the town. When my car approached kids would line up on the street knowing I was going to throw them money and sweets through my car window” He continued.
Bra Eddie was too generous with his money and inevitably made fake friends. Today, he only has the support from his wife, and all those friends who used to spend money with him have since disappeared.”
It is rather unfortunate that I am one of those who are experiencing the tale of when days are dark friends are few.
South Africa’s National Lottery Operator ITHUBA confirmed to Tzaneen Voice that everyone who wins R50 000 and more receive extensive financial advice as well as trauma counselling from qualified psychologists, to help them deal with their new financial circumstances. These advisory services come at no cost to the winner.
Financial education is necessary when you are receiving an unexpectedly large sum of money” Mahasha concluded
