What’s the first thing you'd buy your family if you won the lotto?

Updated June 3, 2026, 7:30 a.m. | By Tamlyn Canham

A South African man has come forward to collect his R100-million jackpot, and you won't believe what's the first thing he wants to do with his winnings.

excited woman celebrating is showered in confetti — File photo/ iStock

Many of us dream of winning the lottery one day. Some even have a long list of things they would like to do or buy with the money.

A burger might be the last thing on the list - if it even makes the cut - but for some, a takeaway treat is the best way to celebrate.

However, that is at the top of the list for a South African man who recently won the R100-million jackpot.

"I’m going to buy my family takeaway burgers," he said.

The mining entrepreneur has been playing the lottery for years, and finally struck gold in early May.

He recalls how in the first few months of playing the national lottery two years ago, he missed the jackpot by just one number.

"After that moment, I told myself that one day I would win, and I kept playing consistently."

That day came on 6 May 2026.

He bought a Quick Pick a Checkers Hyper Sandton City, and the rest is history - along with any bills that he has been stressing about!

The man has big plans for his winnings. Aside from buying his family burgers, he also wants to give back to the community.

"I’m blessed to already have work that sustains me through my business. This win gives me an opportunity to help others, something I have always wished to do," he said.

"I will use a portion of my winnings to fund the tertiary education of a few youths in our church. I’ll keep the rest to better prepare for my family’s future."

We're glad that this Gauteng man has a good head on his shoulders, because our first meal after winning the lottery would be at The Oyster Box or The Beverly Hills Hotel in Umhlanga.

As a teenage Oprah Winfrey once said: "If I had a million dollars, I would be a spendin’ fool… I would spend, spend, spend.”