A man from Ekurhuleni is looking forward to buying his own home after winning R63 million in the Lotto draw on 4 December.

The lucky winner matched the numbers 17, 26, 28, 30, 42 and 46 to bank the biggest prize seen on Lotto all year. He has now come forward to claim his money just over a week later.

He only purchased his ticket a few hours before the draw and then almost misplaced it, so he decided to keep it in a cupboard for safe-keeping.

Having played Lotto regularly since 2013, he decided to change his strategy for the draw on 4 December. He ditched the family birthdays and children’s ages which he had used as numbers in the past, and instead spent R100 on a set of Quick Picks.

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Recalling the moment he found out he had won, the man, 38, said: “On Sunday morning, I was at home, and my wife was at work, after checking the winning Lotto numbers – when the results came up I just couldn’t believe it.

“I phoned my wife immediately, who also just didn’t believe that I had won, she just did not buy into my story.”

The couple have been married for seven years but have never been able to afford their own house until now. They are also making holiday plans, while the winner is still thinking about whether to carry on with his job at a gas company.

He said: “We have lived with our extended family for many years until we decided to move out and rent a house in the same neighbourhood, now we have an opportunity to buy our own home.

“I have also been given some financial advice and shown an extensive portfolio of investment opportunities which I will consider.”