adminlike in store cash draws,” says Timothy Nyanzira (41), the 2013 OK grand jackpot winner.
“We are the winners today. The country should know how happy we are for landing this jackpot prize. I never dreamt that I would get such a special car for free. Surely all winners in the OK Grand Challenge must rejoice and merry for this is a once in a life time achievement,” he said.
Nyanzira is a father of three and works as an international trade consultant in Harare. The Herald tracked him to his family home in Hatcliffe suburb to see how the prize has changed his life.
Nyanzira was visibly happy and could not hide his joy. He landed the biggest prize in the OK Grand Challenge on Saturday 10, June — a Ford Ranger double cab. He deposited the winning coupon on the day he won.
“I had finished my lectures at the University of Zimbabwe and was heading home to Hatcliffe passing by the Borrowdale race course when I had this strong urge to try my luck at the OK grand challenge. In my car I still had an entry coupon I thought I would deposit on race day. After a lot of thinking I decided to stop by the race course, paid my entry fee and proceeded to deposit the winning entry in one of the boxes,” Nyanzira said.
Just like anyone else he waited, seconds became minutes, minutes to hours and eventually the draw time came.
“I waited to see who would land the prizes. I recited little prayers. I had this strong instinct that I would have something to carry home by the end of the day. I was beginning to lose heart as the prizes went away one after the other but waited for the end before rushing to my car and driving back home.
“I could not believe my ears when my name was called for the first time. I was shell shocked and felt numb. The name was called again and I reluctantly started treading ahead. It was difficult but some people helped because others were ululating and whistling. I pushed ahead until when I arrived at the stage.
“The announcer asked “are you Timothy Nyanzira”, I replied yes. I still did not believe it until I he showed me the coupon and indeed there was my name and writing,’ he said.
Nyanzira could not believe it. He was shocked, to hear that that he would own and drive a brand new Ford Ranger Double Cab worth US$70 000. The disbelief only ended when he was asked to get on stage and was given the keys to the car.
“The programme was being televised and I was on air holding the keys.
“Immediately my phone started ringing. These were friends, business colleagues and relatives who wanted to verify whether I was one of the winners of the jackpot. Immediately I had become an instant celebrity. That was indeed the greatest moment of my life,” Mr Nyanzira said.
Mr Nyanzira later phoned his wife who had gone to visit children at some boarding school to break the news.
She had gotten the news from relatives and friends who wanted to verify the news but still waited to hear it from me.
“When I broke the news, she screamed and started singing in joy. I could not continue with the conversation as she was no longer listening but merry making,” he said.
After breaking the news Nyanzira drove home only to continue the celebrations.
“Before the prize giving ceremony, my phone was busy for the whole week.
“People wanted to know if what they had seen in the papers and television was true. We only received our prizes on Wednesday and that day my dream came true. Winning the prize encouraged me and other Zimbabweans to support local companies,” Nyanzira said.
The car is an addition to two others that the family has, a Toyota Vigo twin cab and Mazda truck.
“My life has not changed much. I am a regional consultant in international trade and that job has been financing my modest lifestyle. Before this I already had two cars, this house and two other properties under construction in Harare and Chitungwiza. I also own a small farm in the Mazowe area which has helped me finance the construction of this house and others.
“I will remain in Hatcliffe until a time when I have completed construction of my other property in Borrowdale. I dream of moving to the plush suburb but that will not change me. I will continue to associate with the same people who are my friends now,” he said.
His wife Jane Nyanzira said she was happy that they had won the car and would ensure that the prized gift would remain with the family as a reminder of the blessing God gave them in 2013.
It is a gift to the family and should not be sold. I never thought we could win this prize but 2013 was our year.
The Nyanziras have three children a daughter aged 13 and two boys who are nine and two.
Online Reporter