Sizekhaya Holdings Addresses Public Concerns Over Draw Integrity, Ticket Validation, and PowerBall Pricing
Sizekhaya Holdings addresses public skepticism and listener concerns surrounding lottery draw integrity, transparency, ticket validation, and PowerBall pricing.
South Africa’s National Lottery entered a pivotal new era on 1 June 2026, as Sizekhaya Holdings officially assumed operational control of the National Lottery and Sports Pools.
A major hurdle facing the new operator has been public doubt and skepticism surrounding draw integrity, transition logistics, and regulatory oversight. Appearing on The Clement Manyathela Show on Radio 702, Kgothatso “KG” Mashile, Head of Marketing at Sizekhaya Holdings, joined host Thabo Shole Mashao to directly address the concerns.
A central theme of the broadcast was public concern regarding the overall integrity and fairness of the National Lottery. Mashile acknowledged the widespread doubts voiced by listeners, framing the public’s demand for transparency not as a setback, but as an immediate operational priority.
“That was a call to action for us, and we really had to act on it,” Mashile emphasized.
To directly address concerns about how winning numbers are selected, Sizekhaya Holdings introduced live televised lottery draws, restoring a long-standing South African broadcasting tradition and providing greater public visibility into the draw process. Mashile explained that reintroducing live broadcasts was a crucial step towards greater operational transparency and public oversight.
To further demonstrate its commitment to transparency, Sizekhaya also extended an open invitation for members of the public to attend live draws in person and witness the proceedings firsthand.
Listeners also raised practical questions about verifying winning tickets purchased under the former operator during the transition period. Mashile reassured players that an administrative process had been established to manage the handover.
This process involved transferring and reconciling relevant ticket records and documentation from Ithuba Holdings. Mashile explained that players with legacy tickets could verify them by contacting Sizekhaya Holdings, visiting participating retailers, or scanning the ticket barcode digitally.
Addressing player frustration over PowerBall ticket prices, Mashile clarified the strategic rationale behind the price adjustment. Rather than being presented as a simple price increase, the new structure was introduced to create a clear distinction between PowerBall and Lotto, with PowerBall positioned around bigger and more frequent jackpots.
PowerBall was set at R10 (US$0.61), while Lotto remained at R5 (US$0.30). The pricing and jackpot strategy are also reflected in current reporting on the new operator.
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“We said, let’s clearly separate so that we can define the two games as two separate brands,” Mashile explained.
Under this dual-brand strategy, Lotto remains the more accessible everyday draw game, while PowerBall is positioned as a premium offering for players seeking larger, rapidly escalating jackpots.
Throughout the interview, Mashile reiterated that Sizekhaya Holdings operates with a community-first philosophy, aiming to rebuild a national institution that South Africans can trust.
“We are there for the people. We’re doing this for the people. We are Sizekhaya because we are here to help the people of South Africa,” Mashile concluded.
Mashile also addressed allegations that Sizekhaya Holdings was awarded the licence because of political connections, rejecting the claims and maintaining that the consortium earned the licence through its bid and that the required process was followed.
Another question raised during the interview concerned how jackpot winners are notified and directed through the payment process. Mashile explained that winners may first be notified through their banks before being directed to Sizekhaya to complete the necessary payment and verification process. He also clarified that winners are not required to pose for photographs.
