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IOL News
2 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Ithuba Lottery confirms 12-month temporary extension of its operating licence
In a play on its "Phanda Phusha Play" slogan, Ithuba Lottery has introduced "No Pause, Just Play" as it confirmed a 12-month temporary extension of its operating licence Image: File In a play on its "Phanda Phusha Play" slogan, Ithuba Lottery has introduced "No Pause, Just Play" as it confirmed a 12-month temporary extension of its operating licence, while the incumbent licence holder, Sizekhaya, prepares to put systems in place. In a statement yesterday, Ithuba said that after careful consideration and prioritising the interests of South Africans, it had reached an agreement with the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition and the National Lotteries Commission to operate the South African National Lottery, ensuring its ongoing contribution to good causes. "As a proudly 100% black-owned South African operator, Ithuba remains steadfast in its commitment to operating the National Lottery with integrity, transparency, and for the benefit of South Africans. Participants can rest assured that all games, draws, and prize payouts will continue as normal – with the same exciting jackpots and seamless service they are accustomed to," spokesperson Michelle van Trotsenburg said. This follows Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau's decision to award the 12-month extension to Ithuba to ensure ticket sales continued from June 1. He expressed concern with the High Court judgment of May 21, 2025, which found that the Request for Proposal for a Temporary Licence was invalid, and he has appealed this judgment. However, in its judgment, the Court accepted that it is in the public interest for the National Lottery to continue operating to raise revenues for worthy causes, despite its dissatisfaction with the RFP process. Tau added that another court affirmed his power to appoint a Temporary Licensee in its judgment of May 30, 2025, stating: 'It would be surprising to the Court if the Minister were unable to appoint an operator on a temporary basis for a whole year. This is especially so because the Minister has more latitude in appointing a temporary operator, as opposed to a fully-licensed operator.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ "It is in the context of both the 21 and 30 May 2025 judgments that I received and accepted the advice from the Commission to appoint a temporary licence operator on an urgent basis. I am pleased that National Lottery operations will not be interrupted during the transition from the Third to the Fourth Licence operations and that worthy causes will continue to receive support," Tau said. The Minister's decision comes as Pretoria High Court Judge Omphemetse Mooki dismissed the National Lottery Commission's application to vary an order made by the court on May 21 to extend the temporary operating licence to 12 months, as the court was not persuaded that a case had been made for extending the period of suspension of invalidity. In arguments leading to the award of the licence to Sizekhaya, law firm Nortons Inc successfully represented the Wina Njalo Consortium in an urgent review of several decisions by Minister Tau regarding the awarding of the fourth national lottery licence. Judge Mooki noted that there was no substantive evidence that Ithuba Lottery would suffer a claimed loss of R51 million unless granted a temporary licence for a 12-month period. He further observed that Ithuba Lottery itself had not filed any affidavits in the matter, despite the application being premised on its position. BUSINESS REPORT Visit:
IOL News
3 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
New Lotto boss says the game's back on — and this time, it's for the people
Moses Tembe, the chairman of Sizekhaya Holdings, has expressed the company's gratitude for being awarded the fourth lottery licence by the National Lottery "We welcome that the honourable Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau appreciated the power of our vision. When the National Lottery was first mooted after the ushering in of our democracy, the most compelling argument for its existence was income it could generate to help the poorest and most vulnerable of South Africans," said Tembe. He went on to say that when the lottery is run well, it can become a powerful force for good. "We have seen glimpses of this in South Africa. In its 25 years of operation, the lottery has funded thousands of organisations that contribute to much needed community development. But we believe that it can deliver so much more. That is why Sizekhaya Holdings bid for the lottery."
IOL News
3 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Moses Tembe of Sizekhaya Holdings celebrates new National Lottery licence
Moses Tembe, the chairman of Sizekhaya Holdings, has expressed the company's gratitude for being awarded the fourth lottery licence by the National Lottery "We welcome that the honourable Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau appreciated the power of our vision. When the National Lottery was first mooted after the ushering in of our democracy, the most compelling argument for its existence was income it could generate to help the poorest and most vulnerable of South Africans," said Tembe. He went on to say that when the lottery is run well, it can become a powerful force for good. "We have seen glimpses of this in South Africa. In its 25 years of operation, the lottery has funded thousands of organisations that contribute to much needed community development. But we believe that it can deliver so much more. That is why Sizekhaya Holdings bid for the lottery."
The South African
3 days ago
- Business
- The South African
ITHUBA granted last-minute 12-month temporary lottery licence
ITHUBA has confirmed that the National Lottery will continue without interruption from 1 June 2025. In a press statement issued late on Saturday evening, ITHUBA stated that: 'After careful consideration and prioritising the interests of South Africans, ITHUBA has reached an agreement with the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, and the National Lotteries Commission to operate the South African National Lottery, ensuring its ongoing contribution to good causes. 'As a proudly 100% black-owned South African operator, ITHUBA remains steadfast in its commitment to operate the National Lottery with integrity, transparency, and for the benefit of South Africans. 'Participants can be rest assured that all games, draws, and prize pay-outs will continue as normal – with the same exciting jackpots and seamless service that they are accustomed to. 'ITHUBA continues to serve its core mandate: raising funds for the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF) to uplift communities across South Africa.' Trade, Industry, and Competition Minister Parks Tau has issued a 12-month temporary licence to ITHUBA Holdings. Tau said in a statement that this is in a bid to avoid a potentially disruptive pause in operations at the National Lottery. In a statement, Tau confirmed that the 12-month appointment takes effect on Sunday, 1 June following negotiations. This comes despite the high court ruling that issuing the incumbent ITHUBA a 12-month temporary licence is unconstitutional and favoured the current operator. Tau confirmed he is appealing this judgment as another court judgment confirmed his authority to make such an appointment in the public interest. This follows concerns that ticket sales would cease until the new licence holder, Sizekhaya, could take over operations next year. Concerns were also raised about the impact on funds to charities that benefit from the National Lottery Commission. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Eyewitness News
5 days ago
- Business
- Eyewitness News
DA wants independent review of BBBEE legislation with view to scrapping law
CAPE TOWN - The Democratic Alliance (DA) wants an independent review of the country's broad-based black economic empowerment (BBBEE) legislation with the view to scrapping the law. The party said that the legislation merely recycled and enriched the same "tycoons" and people that weren't disadvantaged, and could not stay in its current form. The party made the call in Parliament on Thursday, while presenting its alternatives to the Transformation Fund, which is being championed by Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau. The DA said it rejected the Transformation Fund as another failed BBBEE scheme that enriched the elite and not workers. The party released its submission to the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition's Transformation Fund on Thursday, offering its alternatives. DA trade spokesperson, Toby Chance, said the fund blocked growth by focusing on race instead of investment or jobs. He also recommended changes to BBBEE legislation and a new approach to transformation. "So, in specific terms, we are recommending an independent review of the BBBEE legislation and regulations with a focus on impact on economic growth and job creation." He said that two recent surveys showed how South Africans were moving away from BEE and don't believe the government should continue pushing the policy.
