NLC-backed projects create 1,303 jobs across South Africa in 2025
The projects reached nearly 10,000 people in total through educational programmes, skills workshops, counselling sessions, community sports activities and cultural events.
SouthAfrica.- The National Lotteries Commission (NLC) has reported supporting 150 community-based projects that created or sustained 1,303 jobs across South Africa in the 2025/26 financial year.
The NLC, which regulates the national lottery and sports pools, directs proceeds from these operations to organisations in the charitable, arts and culture and sports sectors. The funding is generally allocated to non-profit groups to develop social infrastructure and provide employment within local communities.
Of the 1,303 jobs, 77 per cent went to women and 29 per cent to youth. Most positions were within community service organisations, including programme coordinators, support staff, facilitators, administrative personnel and community outreach workers. These roles enable ordinary South Africans to earn a living while delivering direct services to their communities.
The projects reached nearly 10,000 people in total through educational programmes, skills workshops, counselling sessions, community sports activities and cultural events. While funding extended across all regions, Mpumalanga, the Free State, North West and Limpopo recorded the highest concentration of projects. Activities in these provinces included community development centres, skills training programmes, arts initiatives, sports development platforms and social support services aimed at building local capacity.
NLC Commissioner Jodi Scholtz said: “Our responsibility extends beyond the allocation of funding. We are strengthening oversight, improving compliance and working closely with funded organisations to ensure that lottery proceeds translate into measurable community benefit.”
She added that the commission continues to focus on achieving stronger impact while safeguarding public funds. Recent initiatives include workshops titled “You Got the Grant – Now What?” for 80 community leaders in the North West and Northern Cape, covering financial compliance, reporting and project management.
Compliance among funded groups has also improved, with non-compliance falling from 19 per cent to 6 per cent following stricter monitoring.
