R179 million PowerBall winner reveals the first thing he’ll do
Once this PowerBall winner has ensured that his home base is solid, and the dust has settled, this is what he plans to do…
It is a story that sounds like a movie script: a man from Gauteng holding a tiny piece of paper worth a life-changing R179 million.
After weeks of speculation and “missing person” jokes on social media, the winner of the Tuesday, 20 January 2026 PowerBall jackpot has finally come forward to claim his millions.
But while most would be ordering the latest luxury German sedan or browsing for a mansion in Sandton, this winner is playing a much cooler, long-term game.
A humble start to new life for PowerBall winner
Speaking after his massive win was validated by ITHUBA, the winner revealed that he isn’t in a rush to spend it all on “soft life” luxuries just yet. Instead, his focus is on the one thing that truly matters: family and future-proofing his life.
He wants to make sure everything is settled first, he shared.
What happens next?
The winner, who has opted to remain anonymous to protect his privacy, plans to continue working for now while he receives financial advice and trauma counselling – a standard service offered by ITHUBA to all big winners.
Once the dust has settled and the “new money” reality sinks in, he plans to travel, but not before he has ensured that his home base is solid.
It is a refreshing “people-first” approach to a PowerBall windfall that could easily turn anyone’s head. For this lucky South African, the R179 million isn’t just a bank balance; it’s the keys to a legacy that will last long after the champagne has lost its fizz.