Lottery Commission chair to step down at end of 2025: 'It wasn't an easy decision' - Prof Barney Pityana

702's Bongani Bingwa chats to the National Lotteries Commission's outgoing chairperson, Professor Barney Pityana.
  
Listen below:

Professor Barney Pityana has announced he will step down as chairperson of the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) at the end of 2025, following three years of what he calls an "all-consuming labour of love."

"I am sad to report that I am departing from the Commission come 31 December this year. That's a decision that was not easy on my part to make, but it came out of realisation that whenever it is, there's never a good time to leave an important assignment like this."

- Barney Pityana, outgoing Chairperson - National Lotteries Commission 

Appointed to clean up the embattled institution after years of mismanagement and corruption, Pityana says he is confident in the leadership team he leaves behind, pointing to a new strategic plan, a first-time clean audit, and a restructured grant-making process as evidence of real reform.

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"We've got a very good team of members of the board, as well as the commissioner and executives, who will drive this process forward and will never regress to where we were before."

- Barney Pityana, outgoing Chairperson - National Lotteries Commission 

"I'm glad to say that this year, for the first time, we're getting a clean audit. That's the work that has gone into the compliance structure of the organisation, completely, and we're very happy about that. This year, we are having a proper organisational vision for the next five years."

- Barney Pityana, outgoing Chairperson - National Lotteries Commission 

However, his departure comes while questions remain over the appointment of the NLC’s fourth lottery operator, amid allegations of links to politically connected individuals. 

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Pityana insists the board followed due process and had no knowledge of any political exposure during the bidding process. 

"We never saw that coming. It was not on the radar." 

- Barney Pityana, outgoing Chairperson - National Lotteries Commission 

"On the face of it, it was a matter of concern, that's why we made a commitment to investigate."

- Barney Pityana, outgoing Chairperson - National Lotteries Commission 

He confirms that a formal investigation is underway and that, should any wrongdoing be uncovered, the Minister of Trade and Industry has the authority to revoke the appointment.

Although the probe has been slowed by difficulty in securing interviews with key individuals, Pityana acknowledges that the concerns were valid and time sensitive. 

He adds that the NLC remains committed to transparency and accountability.

Scroll up to listen to the full conversation.