Mzansi Wakes Up to PowerBall Fever as Lucky Player Bags R163 Million Jackpot

It’s the kind of morning that changes everything. Somewhere in South Africa, one lucky PowerBall player has woken up R163 million richer the country’s biggest lottery win of 2025 and one of the top three largest jackpots in South African history.

A Night That Made Millionaires

The draw, held on Tuesday night, 21 October 2025, sent a wave of excitement across the nation as the National Lottery operator Ithuba announced not one but two multimillionaire winners.

According to Ithuba, the PowerBall jackpot was a staggering R163,552,190, while the PowerBall Plus draw crowned another winner with R31,018,628.

After 21 consecutive rollovers, the jackpot had snowballed into a life-changing sum, sparking ticket-buying frenzies at petrol stations, supermarkets, and online platforms across Mzansi.

“It’s incredible to witness the excitement and anticipation that continues to build as the jackpot grows,” said Charmaine Mabuza, CEO of Ithuba. “A jackpot of this size captures the imagination of the entire country. It’s a special moment for South African players, and we encourage everyone to participate responsibly and continue dreaming big.”

Here are #dividends for the #PowerBall & #PowerBallPLUS draw on 21/10/25
We have a #PowerBall jackpot winner of R163,552,190! & #PowerBallPLUS jackpot winner of R31,018,628!

Players must be 18 years or older, play responsibly. pic.twitter.com/lynS9EWzee

#PhandaPushaPlay (@sa_lottery) October 21, 2025

South Africa’s Big Lottery Moments

This latest win now joins the ranks of the biggest jackpots ever recorded in the country. South Africa’s largest PowerBall jackpot still stands at R232 million, won in 2019, the biggest lottery payout ever claimed on the African continent.

And just last year, a KwaZulu-Natal resident from Empangeni scooped R69 million from the PowerBall Plus draw. That winner bought a R45 manual selection ticket, proving that fortune doesn’t always require a massive investment just the right combination of numbers and a bit of luck.

A Nation That Loves to Dream

South Africans have long had a love affair with the PowerBall. The ritual of queuing for a ticket, checking numbers with bated breath, and daydreaming about financial freedom has become part of the cultural fabric.

On social media, hashtags like #PowerBall and #R163Million trended overnight as users posted memes, jokes, and hopeful confessions.
One X (Twitter) user wrote: “If you see me smiling for no reason today, just know I hit that PowerBall. Or maybe I’m just manifesting.”

What Happens Next for the Winners

While Ithuba hasn’t yet revealed where the winning tickets were bought, both winners are now eligible for extensive financial guidance and counselling, part of the lottery’s post-win support to help new millionaires manage their windfall wisely.

Mabuza reaffirmed Ithuba’s commitment to responsible play and winner support, saying, “We are proud to see more South Africans becoming millionaires through PowerBall. Every win brings hope and inspiration to millions.”

The Dream That Keeps Mzansi Playing

For the rest of us, the story serves as both a thrill and a reminder: in a country where economic challenges often feel insurmountable, hope still sells for just R5 a line.

And while only one person wakes up R163 million richer, millions of South Africans continue to dream, because as every PowerBall player knows, it only takes one ticket to change everything.

{Source: The Citizen}

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