adminBianca Mlilo Chronicle Reporter
A 24-YEAR-OLD mother of one has won a brand new Honda Fit in the Bakers Inn ‘Buy and Win’ Bulawayo provincial draw. Vuyelwa Mdlongwa, who lives with her father and two-year-old son in New Magwegwe suburb, said she used to buy four loaves of bread each day to increase her chances of winning.
The other loaves she donated to under-privileged neighbours and all in all she said she bought bread worth about $75.
On Wednesday she went to the City Hall for the provincial draw and left the venue after some time.
She was shocked when she received a call informing her that she had won when she was at Egodini Bus Terminus, forcing her to return to the City Hall.
“I initially thought that all nine cars were coming to Bulawayo and hoped to win one; I wasn’t interested in any of the other prizes. So when I realised that it was just one car I felt demoralised and left the venue,” said Mdlongwa.
“When I was near Egodini, my brother called me and told me to go back to the City Hall because he had just received a call from them, notifying him that I had won. My brother and his wife travelled all the way from Gweru when they heard the good news to come and help me celebrate the win.”
She said she was so overwhelmed and shocked that she did not know how to express her excitement. The day was doubly special for her because it fell on her birthday.
Mdlongwa said she filled in about 300 forms even when people kept discouraging her and telling her she would not win.
“I would buy four loaves of bread every day and my sister’s kids would also bring plastic bags from school and we’d wash the dirtier ones and deposit them. Contrary to what people say, I didn’t use holy water or anything from churches which do such, I just had faith that God would grant me my heart’s desire,” she said.
“So I’ll start taking driving lessons next Tuesday to make sure I’ll use my gift to the fullest.”
On Tuesday, a 20-year-old Binga school-leaver also won a vehicle in the provincial draw held in Hwange.
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