FRANCISTOWN: The Choppies Big Birthday Bonanza 2024 grand prize winner, Nelton Sankoloba, was over the moon after walking away with new wheels but was worried by why people questioned his identity on social media.
Last Wednesday Sankoloba, 51, won a Toyota LC300 Land Cruiser worth P1.6 million, in a competition that attracted over five million entries. The devoted husband and father of four told The Monitor he was extremely thrilled that out of millions of entries, he was the one to walk away with the grand prize. Sankoloba added that although he had participated in the competition many times, there was an instance in which he went into a Choppies Store to buy a few items for his son. During the visit to the store, he bought a two-litre bottle of Coca-Cola and registered a winning entry into the recent competition. According to the winner, he had no idea at the time that the Coca-Cola product would make him a new owner of a brand new Toyota LC300 Land Cruiser. “I was so super shocked, when I received the call that I won the P1.6 million-worth car. At first I thought it was a prank or one of the scammers. “Reality sank in and everything unfolded the following day when I received a call that I won the grand prize,” he continued.
Sankoloba, who is now retired, was the regional manager of Foschini and Edcon. Additionally, the cup prizewinner who currently resides in Borolong's Mokwena ward, addressed questions around his identity after he was declared the winner. The winner mentioned that some people were even hostile on social media doubting his existence and that he couldn't understand why Batswana had to doubt their identification. He said that there were lots of winners but unlike him their identify was not questioned on different social media platforms. He further said that even if it is a probability or issue of ratio, nobody knows everyone across the country. According to Sankoloba, if they wanted to see him, they should have made a request instead of making posts on Facebook causing unnecessary commotion. “If they wanted to know if I was real or not they could have made a humble request to see the winner. We should wish each other well in life and love one another. We need to remain friendly at all the time," he added.
He explained that they would have simply congratulated him rather than questioning his identity. According to Sankoloba, there are people like himself who would rather live private lives life away from social media, but it doesn't mean they don't exist. Regarding his recent triumph, he stated that he will surely get past some of the struggles that are still lingering in his life and that winning in general is a blessing. Sankoloba said that even though he isn't sure if he would sell or keep the car, he is certain that it will bring a positive change in his life.
He stated that as a fleet company owner he might add another truck or even cover some of the operational costs. Sankoloba's advice to other entrants who didn't win was that they shouldn't be discouraged but to keep on trying. "Just try your luck wherever there is a competition going on because you might be the next winner," he urged prospective entrants. He added that instead of being driven to purchase many items in order to enter a competition, consumers can aim to buy one or more of the competition's listed items in order to have an added advantage to win.
Sankoloba, who is now retired, was the regional manager of Foschini and Edcon. Additionally, the cup prizewinner who currently resides in Borolong's Mokwena ward, addressed questions around his identity after he was declared the winner. The winner mentioned that some people were even hostile on social media doubting his existence and that he couldn't understand why Batswana had to doubt their identification. He said that there were lots of winners but unlike him their identify was not questioned on different social media platforms. He further said that even if it is a probability or issue of ratio, nobody knows everyone across the country. According to Sankoloba, if they wanted to see him, they should have made a request instead of making posts on Facebook causing unnecessary commotion. “If they wanted to know if I was real or not they could have made a humble request to see the winner. We should wish each other well in life and love one another. We need to remain friendly at all the time," he added.
He explained that they would have simply congratulated him rather than questioning his identity. According to Sankoloba, there are people like himself who would rather live private lives life away from social media, but it doesn't mean they don't exist. Regarding his recent triumph, he stated that he will surely get past some of the struggles that are still lingering in his life and that winning in general is a blessing. Sankoloba said that even though he isn't sure if he would sell or keep the car, he is certain that it will bring a positive change in his life.
He stated that as a fleet company owner he might add another truck or even cover some of the operational costs. Sankoloba's advice to other entrants who didn't win was that they shouldn't be discouraged but to keep on trying. "Just try your luck wherever there is a competition going on because you might be the next winner," he urged prospective entrants. He added that instead of being driven to purchase many items in order to enter a competition, consumers can aim to buy one or more of the competition's listed items in order to have an added advantage to win.