NLC monitors impact of lottery funding at Limpopo children’s home in Tzaneen
Stakeholders toured the facility and engaged with children and staff.
South Africa.- The National Lotteries Commission (NLC) has conducted a monitoring visit to Noah’s Ark Children’s Home in Tzaneen, Limpopo, to assess the impact of its funding on services provided to vulnerable children.
The visit, held under the commission’s Project Information Sharing and Evaluation programme, brought together government officials, traditional leaders, civil society representatives and NLC leadership to evaluate how lottery funding is being used. Noah’s Ark Children’s Home, which received funding during the 2024/25 financial year, provides shelter, care and developmental support for children who are orphaned, abandoned, abused or neglected.
The delegation toured the facility and observed infrastructure and services funded through the grant, with project managers explaining how the support has improved care at the home. Among those present were Jerry Maseko, Limpopo MEC for sport, arts and culture; Barney Pityana, NLC board chairperson; and Jodi Scholtz, commissioner, alongside board members, local government officials and community representatives.
Speaking during the visit, Scholtz said the NLC’s role extends beyond regulating the National Lottery and sports pools, noting that lottery proceeds are intended to fund initiatives that create social impact. She said the visit was aimed at engaging directly with beneficiaries and observing the outcomes of funded projects.
Scholtz also emphasised the importance of investing in child protection programmes, quoting Nelson Mandela’s view that a society is judged by the way it treats its children.
Pityana reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to funding organisations that contribute to social development across areas such as welfare, sport, arts, culture and community upliftment. Maseko commended the collaboration between government, civil society and the NLC in supporting vulnerable children.
NLC officials said the programme forms part of ongoing efforts to track project performance and demonstrate the social impact of lottery-funded initiatives across South Africa.
