Beyond our responsibility to the people of South Africa as the only National Lottery and sports pools and other lotteries regulator, the NLC also fulfils the vital role of grant funder, providing registered NPOs with funding to establish projects that improve the lives of everyday South Africans.
Over the years, the NLC has transformed the demographic of its grant recipients and the manner in which it delivers its grant funding mandate. We decentralised from operating at head-office level to having nine provincial offices. Furthermore, we have ensured our processes are easily accessible through the successful implementation of the open call system, which allows applicants and beneficiaries from all walks of life to access our services.
Our funding aspirations for equitable distribution have fast become reality through our minimum 5% distribution to all provinces. We have been deliberate in focusing our funding on rural-based organisations to address and alleviate glaring socio-economic inequalities.
Our grant funding focuses mainly on matters that support growth and change within impoverished communities. The model is designed for impact – seeking to play a pertinent role in changing people’s lives for the better.
During the year, areas of focus included:
Education is a critical component of the legacy of the NLC – we have worked tirelessly over the last 20 years to ensure that no child is left behind. It is a crucial focus in the charities sector, where education is funded to improve the quality of life of communities, to assist disadvantaged or excluded groups, and to provide facilities and services for the underprivileged. Over the years, we have directed funding towards building and improving education facilities and infrastructure around the country to make sure that learning takes place in environments that are conducive, thereby supporting the aims of the National Development Plan.
The NLC is further committed to undoing the legacy of inequality and poverty, instead building one of hope and excellence in our communities, thus building a South Africa where a child’s family circumstances do not determine their destiny.
“The children of any nation are its future. A country, a movement, a person that does not value its youth and children does not deserve its future.”
— Oliver Reginald Tambo
During the year, various projects were supported to stimulate educational excellence and the provision of clean, safe learning environments for learners across the country.
According to the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, one in four South African women will experience violence by men and are five times more likely to be killed. Recognising this shadow pandemic, in the past year, we have funded various organisations that assist victims of GBV, including shelters where vulnerable women and children can find refuge.
“Funding from the NLC has brought much-needed relief to battered women in our area. We don’t know where to begin
to thank the NLC for funding our organisation. As we say here in the Free State: Ske la kgathala nele thuse babang
[continue helping others as well].”
— Josephine Chibi, Meloding Victim Empowerment Centre
For southern Africa, the impacts of climate change are real as prolonged droughts result in significant water and food shortages. In fact, drastic warming of more than 4-6 °C is projected for South Africa over the next few decades, making climate change one of the most critical developmental risks to our country.
We undertook projects to assist those suffering as a result of water scarcity. Our drought relief project saw 200 boreholes drilled in five provinces for those most severely impacted by drought.
Managing the impacts of climate change will be critical in the years to come but addressing the causes of climate change, along with other interlinked environmental issues, such as biodiversity loss and environmental degradation, are critical areas of focus for the NLC. In line with this, during the year, funds were donated to various organisations to facilitate sustainable farming to support the provision of food, ethically and responsibly. Recycling projects were another priority area with funding donated to organisations who focus on creating environmental awareness and facilitating recycling projects.
Waste management, water harvesting, removal of alien plants and river restoration and cleaning were identified as further areas of priority. Additionally, highlighting our focus on environmental matters, we also used green building considerations when undertaking the acquisition of our new provincial office accommodation.
Registered office
Block D, Hatfield Gardens,
333 Grosvenor Street, Hatfield
Pretoria. 0083
Telephone: +27 (12) 432 1300
Email: info@nlcsa.org.za
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