Sizekhaya Holdings, the operator of South Africa’s National Lottery, has reassured that the lottery will remain operational without obstructions as the licence bidding process gets underway.
Despite taking on the eight-year licence in June 2026, Sizekhaya will potentially have to participate in the tender process again following a High Court order that dismissed the initial award process on the grounds that it hasn’t been properly conducted.
After Parks Tau, Minister of Trade, announced Sizekhaya’s application as the winning tender, several other companies, including previous licence holder Ithuba, filed complaints against the awarding procedure.
A High Court later found the complaints to be justified, ordering Tau to review the application process and re-consider all applications once again.
The court argued that the technical compliance of the tender process has been breached by Tau, after the Minister formed a special Ministerial Committee to assess and advise on the preferred applications – a step that is not part of the official process.
Prior to the Committee’s formation, Sizekhaya was actually a reserved bidder, with the National Lotteries Commission (NCL) pointing to a different company as the preferred bidder.
Tau now has 12 months to restart the process and grant the fourth National Licence once again, in line with the official guidelines. Sizekhaya will also be eligible to re-apply.
Meanwhile, the current lottery operator has ensured that there will be no obstructions to the lottery’s operation, with players still able to buy tickets and contributions to good causes continuing as usual until the bidding process concludes.
Fundi Sithebe, Chief Operating Officer of Sizekhaya, added: “The court identified a procedural irregularity in the process followed by the Minister.
“It did not find that Sizekhaya lacked the capability, resources or suitability to operate the National Lottery. South Africans deserve clarity about precisely what the judgment says, and what it does not say.
“The decision on the licence now rests with Minister Tau. Our responsibility is to continue delivering a National Lottery that South Africans can rely on. We remain fully committed to that responsibility, and to the integrity, stability and continuity of the National Lottery.”
