We are pleased to announce the official winner of the 1962 Studebaker raffle, Sam Mokoena from Petsana Reitz in the Free State! What an incredibly heartfelt victory. His employer Trent Odgers, who had kindly donated the vehicle raffled by LITTLE EDEN, had bought tickets for his employees and Sam was the lucky winner.
Although there was a bit of a confusion on whether the car had been won by Sam or Grant, who had answered the phone call made by our CEO Xelda Rohrbeck during the live draw, it was made clear afterwards that Sam does not have a mobile and had provided Grant’s number where he could be reachable. When Trent was asked how he felt about Sam’s new win, he had this to say, “It couldn’t have been won by anyone more deserving than Sam!”
Sam Mokoena from Petsana Reitz in the Free State, started working on Trent Odgers’ farm in 2011. Although he was not employed by Trent, when the other laborers would jump in the bakkie to head to work, Sam too would jump in and would faithfully report for duty. Trent figured he should offer him a job as the gardener seeing that he was always around. This was initially a 2-months contract. Sam would help out on the farm and became an asset, even assisting with the Studebaker from time to time.
Fast forward to 31 August 2021 and Sam is the new owner of the 1962 Studebaker. Sam has decided to not keep the car but to sell it to the Chairman of the Studebaker Club, Detlev Borner who was also present on the day of the draw. Sam was completely overwhelmed as he shared how difficult life has been after his wife passed on in 2013, leaving him with two young kids, the youngest aged 1 year 5 months. “What a great blessing this is. God has finally answered my prayers and will use this money wisely to take care of my children.”
We would like to express our gratitude to all who took part in the 1962 Studebaker raffle competition. Special thanks goes to the National Lottery, Nwande Incorporated, Trent Odgers, Detlev Borner, Neville Lawry, The Fourways Farmers Market, Mamba Strike Force, Bedfordview and Edenvale News, Business Day, Huisgenoot, Radio Veritas South Africa, Italian-South African Chamber of Trade and Industries, Andrew Conold (Rotary club), Randburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry and MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet.