From hero to zero

Mike Wesley* speaks out about how he let winnings change his life for the worse, and regrets it daily

I REMEMBER the day that a massive windfall changed my life forever; little did I know, it would also be the day that caused me so much pain.

I had played the lottery for 15 years and not once did I ever think I would win it. On my way home from work, I would stop at the local garage to buy my cigarettes and a daily Lotto ticket.

That was my routine, but I didn't know it would finally pay off. On that fateful day, I heard the cashier say very quietly, 'Sir, you have won'.

I took it as a joke at first, but on the screen it said 'winner'. I was in such disbelief and in sheer shock at the fact that I had won R2million.

I took the ticket and left, and sat in my car for about 30 minutes to let it sink in until it hit me that I was now a millionaire.

I had to travel to Johannesburg headquarters to claim my money, and once it had cleared, I saw so many zeros in my bank account it seemed unreal.

Sadly, it took me just three months to completely drain the account and be left with nothing, back at square one.

I was flashing the money; I had phoned friends, family, and even people on the streets all knew who I was. I became the talk of the town; everyone knew I had money and everyone wanted a piece of the pie.

I was reckless about how I spent it.

Now, more than six months after I blew the cash, I have not seen or heard from my so-called friends, my family, or anyone I gave money to.

With little to nothing in my bank account, I learnt a valuable lesson - that money cannot buy happiness.

I continued with my day job, but still feel regret of not having made wiser decisions, and that weight on my shoulders as to why I did not save or invest the money in property or cars.

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