CONCENTRATING intently, Nhlanhla Ngcobo* carefully marked six numbers on the Lotto slip at the petrol station: 2, 8, 9, 14, 29 and 30. She whispered a quiet prayer as she had done every time she’d bought a Lotto ticket over the past 19 years. She paid for it and hoped for the best. Nhlanhla (54) could barely afford the R7,50 ticket. Even though it was the beginning of September and she’d been paid her salary just a few days ago, she had just R300 to her name. Like so many South Africans, she was up to her neck in debt and sinking fast.
AGAINST ALL ODDS
“God, please bless these numbers,” she murmured. Against all odds, her prayers were answered with a tsunami’s worth of blessings. But Nhlanhla still can’t…
