adminvouchers of any prize was seen at Borrowdale Racecourse with eyes wide open and ears aching.
None of the majority participants knew that the heavens this year were opened for only the selected few of, Timothy Nyanzira, George Mereki, Pemberai Changedera and Jonathan Maruziva.
The Herald Lifestyle caught up with three of the big winners who bare it all with what transpired to their prizes.
Most of them have already gone through their celebrations paces while some have hastened to grand final decisions with their prizes.
The question is who is still moving in the fast lane and who has given away the kismet?
George Mereki (38), the proud winner of a Ford Ranger T6, was among the 2013 fortunate winners who could have been basking in the fast lane with his Ranger T6, but rather than park it outside a rented room he preferred to have his own house. So he sold it. Better known as G-Mek, Mereki is currently living in Sunningdale 2. He is self-employed and runs a housing agency called G-Meki Accommodation.
He said the prize came at a time he was busy looking for accommodation and it resulted in his decision to sell the car for about $27 000.
“Truly speaking, I wanted to drive that flashy car, but I could not because I don’t have my own house. I am selling the car for about US$27 000 and then I use the money to either buy a stand or affordable house somewhere near town,” said G-Mek.
One thing that keeps knocking people’s minds was if these winners were holders of valid driver’s licences in the first place? As for G-Mek, it was another huge blow. The father of three had never attempted to go for driving tests in his life as owning a car was a far-fetched dream.
It seems as if the Grand Challenge had the marginalised people at “heart”.
Mr Jonathan Maruziwa of Budiriro 5A, who also won one of the 33 Ford Ranger single cab trucks on offer is stuck in the same situation as G-Mek.
Interesting to note, the duo decided to sell their cars through Duly’s after being told by OK Zimbabwe officials the challenges they were likely to face when using those cars.
Maruziva spoke to the OK officials who advised him that the cars cost a fortune to service and that it might be a burden to them in the near future. “I can safely say I am not going to benefit more once I sell the car, but I want to thank the organisation for honouring our services. I am going to start more projects so the prize is a big money generating project,” he said.
Maruziva works for Nations Hardware and he owns a house in Budiriro with his wife Nomatter. He is also a proud owner of a Nissan Sunny.
He said he was never amazed by the feeling of cruising in top of the range wheels. All he was happy about was the feeling of winning.
Cranborne-based Pemberai Changedera was recently sported enjoying his fortune. Neighbours who asked for anonymity confirmed that the youthful winner has not decided to sell his prize.
The big draw winner, Mr Timothy Nyanzira who scooped the sole Ford Ranger XLT double cab, is the only winner who confirmed that his gift is not going any- where.
He is an International Trade consultant and has several businesses and properties around the city. He said the Ford Ranger XLT will add the number to his fleet as he owns other big brands such as Toyota Virgo and Mazda B1800.
The “Challenge” is still on next year and the competition has come of age!
Every year the grand draw bursts into action, it ushers new era and a change of lifestyle for the “selected few” lucky winners!
Online Reporter