By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Sizekhaya Holdings is officially taking over as South Africa’s new national lottery operator on June 1, 2026, replacing Ithuba Holdings after their 11-year run.
They were initially granted an eight-year license, which concluded in 2023, after which it was extended on a year-to-year basis.
Its tenure also saw significant jackpots, including a record-breaking PowerBall wins of R232 million, R178.9 million, and R158 million.
Sizekhaya Holdings and the National Lottery Commission (NLC) jointly hosted a media and stakeholder event in Johannesburg ahead of Sizekhaya formally assuming operation.
The event brought together the media, business leaders, retail partners, stakeholders and representatives from across the lottery ecosystem for the first comprehensive public introduction to the leadership, vision and operational priorities of Sizekhaya.
Addressing delegates, Sizekhaya Holdings Chairperson Moses Tembe said the organisation views the transition (from the previous operator to Sizekhaya) not simply as an operational handover, but also as an opportunity to renew and strengthen one of South Africa’s most recognisable national institutions.
“As Sizekhaya, we understand clearly that we are not only operating a business. We are acting as custodians of a national institution,” he said.
“The National Lottery occupies a unique place in our society. For sure, it is a game of possibility. Every week, millions of South Africans participate in the hope that life may change for the better. But the lottery is also much more than that; it is a national instrument for development, opportunity and social impact.”
“Every ticket sold contributes to organisations, initiatives and people working every day to build a stronger South Africa. This national impact remains important to everything we do.”
“Innovation and accessibility will play a major role in Sizekhaya’s plans moving forward, including making participation easier and more convenient for players across retail and digital platforms.
“The future of the National Lottery must be accessible, modern and responsive to the way South Africans live today,” Tembe said.
The event also marked one of the first major public engagements bringing together leadership from both Sizekhaya and the National Lotteries Commission ahead of the operational transition date.
NLC Chairperson Professor Barney Pityana said the National Lottery remains an important national asset with a significant developmental role to play in South African society.
“The National Lottery is more than a commercial enterprise. It is a national public asset with a profound developmental mandate and social responsibility. As the National Lotteries Commission, we remain committed to ensuring that the lottery is operated with integrity, accountability and transparency, while continuing to maximise its positive impact in communities across South Africa,” Professor Pityana said.
“We remain committed to maintaining the integrity, transparency and continuity of the National Lottery and Sports Pools system throughout this transition and beyond.”
The launch comes at a time of heightened public interest in the future of the National Lottery and its contribution to South African society: both as a source of life-changing winnings for players and as a mechanism through which billions of rands are directed towards charitable causes, sports, arts, culture and community development initiatives across the country.