The ManicaPost
Moffat Mungazi
Post Correspondent
PATIENCE pays, it is often said.
But when it does not, it pains a lot.
Yet even peppered with persistence or perseverance, one key ingredient still remains missing.
Throw into the mix prayer and the concoction for the fulfilment of long-nursed dreams and fruition follows.
A combination of these virtues has created a fruitful formula for the winner of the grand prize in the 2021 OK Grand Challenge Jackpot Promotion — Mrs Sibusisiwe Masaka.
Mrs Masaka was last week on Friday handed the brand new Toyota Hilux 4×4 double cab vehicle she scooped in the popular promotion during a presentation ceremony held at the retail giant’s Mutare branch.
Four other OK Zimbabwe customers from Manicaland Province — Ms Dryden Chikupe and Messrs Masset Chitapaza, Caleb Kabungaidze as well as perennial punter, Clemence Muhle — also received their $1,5 million cash prizes.
The tall tale
Mrs Masaka’s story sounds like a tall tale.
Finally walking away with the big one has been four decades in the making.
Since the turn of the 80s, the Marymount Teachers’ College Food Science and Technology lecturer has been participating in similar promotions — not only at OK Zimbabwe, but other outlets which ran such promotions — with several of her shots at striking gold having agonisingly followed a familiar course of coming short over the years.
The closest she came to scooping something significant was when she won a set of kitchen utensils.
Hers was not a non-believer’s journey, however.
Her season came in 2021 when she drove home all smiles.
For tenaciously holding onto prayer, persistence and patience, which fuelled the drive of her dreams, she was at long last reaping the fruits.
Her firm faith had eventually been rewarded.
But how had she managed to bottle up her disappointment spanning 40 years and still kept at it?
“I am a strong believer in God and His way of doing things. He always works miracles in His own time, which is always the best. Over the years, I had watched other lucky customers winning different prizes, but I never lost heart. I kept the hope alive that someday I would also make it. Now here I am today.
“All that while I was steadfast in prayers and remained patient. I fellowship at the Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Africa (ZAOGA) Church, where I am a devout member. These are the virtues our Archbishop, Apostle Ezekiel Guti, has brought us on as congregants. Glory to God for blessing me with this fortune,” said Mrs Masaka, an elder in the church.
Written in the stars
Perhaps the lecturer’s prayers being answered, her patience paying off and dream coming to fruition was all written in the stars.
For her entry, among millions others to be picked up as the winning one is truly by the Lord’s grace. That over eight million correct and eligible entries were received for the promotion, according to OK Zimbabwe marketing manager, Ms Tendai Makomva, puts everything into perspective.
Mrs Masaka’s striking gold also saw Manicaland scoring a first as this is the first time the OK Grand Challenge Jackpot Promotion top prize has landed in the province.
Interestedly, she conceded that her burning desire had been to clinch one of the $1,5 million cash prizes that were up for grabs, but by some fortunate twist of fate a more staggering bonanza was in the offing.
The value of the grand prize vehicle is US$58 000.
Said Mrs Masaka: “I still cannot believe it. I am overwhelmed with joy. In my praises to the Lord, I can only say all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. This is purely grace which picked me to hit such a jackpot.”
Her husband, Mr Posani Masaka, expressed delight on his wife’s jackpot.
He also chronicled his voyage as a punter.
“At one point around the early 90s I did not travel to Mutare for a weekend with the family and opted to go to Borrowdale Race Course in anticipation of winning in the OK Grand Challenge Jackpot Promotion. Sadly, I left empty-handed. But this time around, with only one car up for grabs, it came our way.
“This has been the Lord’s grand plan to prosper us. It all makes up for the past misses. It is never too late for God to bless His children. He always picks the right moments and is faithful in all situations,” he cooed, adding that they will continue participating in this and other promotions.
The Masakas own four other vehicles — a Toyota Rav 4, a Toyota Prius, a Honda HRV and an Isuzu twin cab truck.
Mr Masaka said his family has agreed to dispose the grand prize and invest in a retirement plan.
