There was a time in South Africa when winning a competition was a shared moment. Names were read out. The winner would be live on television, waiting with glee to accept their winnings. Stories were told, a small Q&A would be where the emotions run shared by the country, and for those who missed the tv insert, we would catch the announcment on a You/Drum or Huisgenoot weekly magazines that tied TV moment into written articles and stories on paper. Winning didn’t happen quietly, it happened in public, where trust could live and hopeful energies could brew.
Part of that spirit resurfaced this week when Durban-based architect Gordon McTavish was announced as the winner of the Reach For A Dream Foundation’s 30th annual Dream Raffle, taking home a brand-new Jetour X70 Plus Momentum SUV. McTavish, from Kloof in Durban, received the keys during an official handover at Jetour South Africa in Centurion, a moment that closed the loop on a competition many entered and many watched. No disappearing posts. No vague captions. No silence once the tickets were sold.
The Dream Raffle is one of the key fundraising initiatives, raising funds to fulfil the dreams of children diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses. The 2025 raffle, which ran from July to December, required participants to purchase R200 tickets, a meaningful buy-in that makes transparency essential, not optional. McTavish purchased five tickets, noting that his participation mattered regardless of the outcome. Still, when the call came from Reach For A Dream CEO Julia Sotirianakos while he was travelling for work, the reality took time to land. He only returned the call once his plane touched down. Later, his wife Louise began receiving messages from friends who had watched the live draw on the Foundation’s social media platforms.
“This is really mine — I can’t believe it,” McTavish said at the handover.
A self-described technology enthusiast, he shared his excitement about exploring the space, comfort and features of the seven-seater SUV, but the real significance lies beyond the vehicle itself. This win was seen. It was named. It was witnessed.
“We congratulate Gordon on his win,” said Sotirianakos. “Proceeds from initiatives like the Dream Raffle enable us to continue creating moments of hope for children facing life-threatening illnesses. We are grateful to Jetour South Africa for supporting this milestone year.”
The visibility didn’t stop at first place. Durban resident Gavin Govender was announced as the second-prize winner, receiving an Authentic Retreats holiday package, while Jenny Williams from Daleview won lifestyle vouchers valued at R4 500. In an era where brands often amplify the promise of winning but whisper the outcome, Reach For A Dream’s approach feels like a breath of freshness in its simplicity: announce the winners, tell their stories, and allow the public to see the process through.
It’s not nostalgia, it’s accountability.
As the Foundation looks ahead to the 2026 Dream Raffle, this public follow-through sets a standard many brands would do well to remember: if a competition is worth running, it’s worth closing properly, out loud, in the open, and with integrity.
