Sizekhaya opens school upgrade funding applications
The National Lottery operator will fund one project in each of the Eastern Cape and Northern Cape, with applications closing on October 30.
Key takeaways:
- Sizekhaya Holdings is offering funding for one school or early childhood development centre project in each of the Eastern Cape and Northern Cape under its 2026/27 CSI programme.
- Applications from eligible non-profit organisations close on October 30, 2026, with projects required to be completed and handed over by March 31, 2027.
- Funding may support borehole installations, including drilling, pumps and water storage, or flushing toilets, toilet blocks and handwashing facilities.
- Eligible organisations must be registered with the Department of Social Development, hold a valid NPO number, focus on ECD or basic education and show that the proposed site lacks reliable water or flushing toilets.
- Applications must include organisational and site documents, a project motivation, photographs and at least three quotations from independent, accredited and registered contractors.
South Africa.- South Africa’s National Lottery operator Sizekhaya Holdings is offering funding for one project in each of the Eastern Cape and Northern Cape through its 2026/27 Corporate Social Investment (CSI) programme. Applications from eligible non-profit organisations close on October 30, 2026, with projects required to be completed and handed over by March 31, 2027.
Sizekhaya took over South Africa’s National Lottery and Sports Pools on June 1, 2026, replacing Ithuba Holdings. During its first 100 days, the company reported 12,112,325 winners who won a combined R1.074688bn (US$66.4m) across PowerBall, PowerBall Xtra, Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto 5 Max.
The funding will support borehole installations or flushing toilets at schools and early childhood development (ECD) centres, according to Sizekhaya’s funding notice issued. Borehole work may include drilling, pumps and water storage, while sanitation projects may involve toilet blocks and handwashing facilities.
The CSI Programme Office will assess applications and recommend beneficiaries to an adjudication committee. Site visits and reference checks are scheduled for November, with all applicants due to be notified of the outcome by November 27. Successful projects are expected to be commissioned in December, with work beginning that month. Independent verification is scheduled for February and March 2027, ahead of the March 31 completion and handover deadline.
Where applications are otherwise equally ranked, Sizekhaya may prioritise projects serving more children, rural and underserved communities, and sites where work can be completed quickly.
Eligible organisations must be registered with the Department of Social Development, hold a valid NPO number and have up-to-date annual or financial reports. ECD or basic education must be their core purpose. The proposed site must lack a reliable water supply or flushing toilets. Applicants must also show that they have permission to use the school or ECD centre where the work will take place.
Applications must include the required organisational and site documents, a project motivation, photographs of existing facilities and at least three written quotations from independent, accredited and registered contractors. Applications are free and the funding notice does not disclose the amount available for each project or the total programme allocation.
