South Africa appoints King Tembinkosi Bonakele as National Lotteries Commission chair

South Africa has appointed King Tembinkosi Bonakele as Chairperson of the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) Board, with Ms Mpho Sonia Mosing joining the board as a member.

The appointments were approved during a Cabinet meeting held on 1 July and are subject to the verification of qualifications and relevant security clearances, in line with standard government appointment procedures.

Welcoming the appointments, the National Lotteries Commission said, “The National Lotteries Commission welcomed the appointments, saying: “The National Lotteries Commission (NLC) extends its heartfelt congratulations to Mr King Tembinkosi Bonakele on his appointment as Chairperson of the NLC Board, and to Ms Mpho Sonia Mosing on her appointment as Member of the NLC Board.

We welcome their appointments and look forward to their leadership, expertise, and contribution in advancing the NLC’s mandate of regulating the lottery sector and distributing grants to worthy causes with integrity, transparency, accountability, and good governance. Congratulations and best wishes on this important national responsibility.”

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Bonakele succeeds Professor Barney Pityana, whose resignation prompted the process to appoint new leadership for the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) board. Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition conducted interviews with shortlisted candidates before recommending King Tembinkosi Bonakele, Mpho Mosing and Advocate Lufuno Nevondwe to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, for consideration.

Bonakele brings extensive regulatory and governance experience to the role, having served as Commissioner of South Africa’s Competition Commission from 2013 to 2022. He has also previously served on the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) Board. Board member Mpho Mosing previously chaired the Audit and Risk Committee of the State Diamond Trader and served on the Gauteng Liquor Board’s commission of inquiry into fraud and governance controls. Together, they assume their roles at a pivotal time as the NLC oversees the National Lottery under its new operator, Sizekhaya Holdings.