Dubai-based father says prize money will be invested while he continues to work

Last updated: May 08, 2026 | 14:10

39-year-old South African expat Branden Tekram Supplied

Dubai: A routine morning email check has turned into a life-changing moment for a South African expatriate in Dubai after he discovered that he had won Dh5 million in the UAE Lottery’s Lucky Day draw.

39-year-old Branden Tekram has noted that he initially thought the email was informing him of a smaller prize.

“When I realised I had won the Dh5 million prize in the Lucky Day Draw, I was completely amazed. I went straight to my wife, who was getting our son ready for school, and just asked her to read the email. We sat there in a moment of pure disbelief,” Tekram told Gulf News.

After the good news sinked in, Tekram has shared a “heartfelt hug” with his wife and proceeded to his work as usual.

“It's still overwhelming and unbelievable. I don’t know how to explain it.…