I won! I know I did!

Once in your life, the thought of winning a million shillings or rand, or dollars (varied value notwithstanding) fills your head with dreams and tantalizing thoughts and possibilities! You think of how you will build a biig house with lots of space in it, and design it with ultra-modern lines and squares just like you always wanted. Then you'd have your loveliest colours sprinkling the otherwise serenely white room! Ohhhh!

But the reality is that you have got to work for your money, Like a donkey, and so that beautiful house will come, but through sweat. But still we dream.

Well, a few days ago, I filled in a 'raffle' ticket at one of the big stores, and wonder wonder, I got a call yesterday. This was basically how the conversation went:

Caller: Hallo, is this Ms D. L
Me: Yes?
C: How are you?
Me: Ok?
C: That's good. Ms L, I am just calling to let you know that your raffle ticket was selected and you are a guaranteed winner-
Me: Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
C: Listen, you will need-
Me: Oh my God! I won Something! Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! God, is this being recorded?
C: No its not being recorded, I am just calling to let you know that you were among the lucky ones.
Me: what did I win?
C: There is a range of things you stand a chance of winning. You could win R 50,000; a Mecer laptop, a getaway at a Resort of your choice; or a (sth) inch plasma TV!
M: I won sth! Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
C: Maam, you will have to come to our offices tomorrow at 18:00 to claim your prize. There will be a draw and you will have to pick one of the items I have listed for you. Now, for marketing purposes-
Me: OMG!
C: For marketing purposes, we have to get your details, like do have a credit or cheque account, where we can deposit the money?
M: Not yet! I mean, I have a savings account.
c: Oh, Savings. That's okay. And do you have a job?
M: Yeah?
C: what is it?
M: Currently am doing a contract job at X.
C: What is your salary package?
M: Sorry? Sorry, I didnt get your name please
C: XXX
M: Ok. I am still not quite employed so I don't have a package yet, but will soon enough.
C: okay, I hope you know this is just for marketing purposes and nothing sinister. Now we will want you to come in tomorrow and sit through a presentation and then we will have the draw and you will win your package.
M: Presentation? will it be on national TV?
C: No no, its just us, we need to tell you a little bit about our company.
M: Oh, okay then. good. Just send me you address and I will be there.

Now, I know what you'all thinking. How can i be so daft? Thing is, this was the first time I was hearing of something like that. I hang up, and was soon day-dreaming about a holiday resort, consoling myself with a plasma TV, toying with the idea of a new laptop, but mostly, just eyeing the R50,000! Wow! I would shop till I dropped.

Then I began sharing my excitement! Those who did not know, like me, we as excited as me. But those who knew, just said...you go check it out, but don't sign anything.

That got me....'guaranteed winner? presentation? what the-' Okay, I became bold and asked. Four different people later, i am glad I asked.

Turns out the company that called me is part of a bigger marketting gig carried out by small companies that use these 'winning' moments as opportunities to sell timeshares. For the uneducated like me, "A timeshare is a form of ownership or right to the use of a property, or the term used to describe such properties. Timeshare properties are typically resort condominium units, in which multiple parties hold rights to use the property, and each sharer is allotted a period of time (typically one week) in which they may use the property" (Source: Wikipedia).

Now in a rich society, maybe these things really work, but imagine money being deducted from my 'inyana' salary every month towards a timeshare for a holiday resort somewhere, maybe for a week! Why should I pay for somethig I have not even planned for? Why! why did my one moment of glory turn so sour so suddenly? I am renewing my bid to read more, learn more and discover more this year. this will go down as my one near gloriuos moment of fame!


Ok. my presentation is at 18:00 today, only I will not show. I will sit at home and catch up on the sleep I never had!!!

If you knew about this kind of thing, take note and learn some more, if you didn't don't fall for anything. I am lucky its only my pride that got bruised!