The National Lotteries Board announces the re-appointment of its Chairperson and Members for a second term of office effective from 03.12.2003 to 03.12.2008.

After due process was followed, the Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry recommended to Parliament that Mr. Joe Foster be re-appointed as Chairperson of the National Lotteries Board.  The Members of Parliament unanimously approved the recommendation.

Minister of Trade and Industry, the Honourable Alec Erwin also re-appointed Mr. Norman Axten, Ms. Nora Fakude-Nkuna, Mr. Henry Makgothi and Ms. Shelley Thomas as Members of the Board.  There are two new appointments to the Board. They are Ms. Astrid Ludin, the DDG for Corporate and Consumer Regulations at the dti and Mr. George Negota, a practising Attorney.  The new Members replace Advocate Nceba Dukada and Dr. Alister Ruiters, who could not take up re-appointment due to work commitments.

RESIGNATION OF UTHINGO CEO

It is with regret that the Chairperson and Members of the National Lotteries Board learnt of the resignation of Mr. Humphrey Khoza as Chief Executive Officer of the Uthingo Management.

While the Board accepts that Mr. Khoza has left to pursue other business interests, Mr. Khoza’s resignation is seen as a loss to the National Lottery.  Khoza was instrumental in setting up South Africa’s first National Lottery and ensuring that the lottery was run with due integrity.  The funds raised by the National Lottery for good causes continue to make the lives of millions of needy South Africans less difficult. 

The Board wishes to place on record its appreciation of the enormous contribution of Mr. Khoza in the establishment of the National Lottery.  The Chairperson and Members of the Board have conveyed their best wishes to Mr. Khoza in his new venture. 

Dr. Monamodi’s appointment as Acting-CEO was welcomed by the Board. Dr. Monamodi was previously Chief Operating Officer at Uthingo Management. 

TRANSMISSION OF LIVE LOTTERY DRAW

Further, the Board would like to emphasise that it is satisfied that the recent incident with the transmission of the lottery draw on 31 December 2003 was due to a technical problem, as explained by Sentech and e-tv. 

The Board as regulator of the National Lottery ensures that the National Lottery is conducted with due propriety and is satisfied that the draw was conducted in terms of the rules of the game and in strict compliance with the Licence to Operate the National Lottery. 

PriceWaterhouseCoopers, the independent auditor of the Lotto draw confirmed, in its weekly report to the Board, that the draw was fully compliant with procedures as stipulated in the Licence. 

The Board would like to assure all participants in the National Lottery that they have no reason for concern.  One of the functions of the Board is to protect their interests of the lottery participants and the Board will continue to make sure that this is so.  

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