LOTTERY IS CHANGING
LIVES – DEPUTY MINISTER MASINA
The Deputy Minister
of Trade and Industry, Mr Mzwandile Masina says the lottery is changing the
lives of thousands of the South African people for the better. Deputy Minister
Masina was speaking at the launch of the National Lotteries Commission
corporate identity in Benoni today. The event was hosted at the Music Academy
of Gauteng, one of hundreds of beneficiaries of funds generated through the
lottery.
“The lottery is a
very important instrument to change lives. It is not an instrument to enrich
few individuals or companies. It is for the government to change the lives of
ordinary citizens through contributions to charities, sports, arts and culture,
and other important areas of nation-building. We want to use this instrument to
support the development of our communities and changing their lives for the
better,” said Masina.
He added that the
lottery was meant to improve the conditions of the people who continue to
suffer from the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality which
persistently inflict many of the country’s citizens.
Masina also
implored the board of the National Lotteries Commission to ensure institutional
stability at the organisation.
“As a department we
depend on the board to advise us, but it is vital that you maintain the
commission’s institutional stability. It is important that you retain the
confidence of the staff to deliver on your mandate to ordinary citizens in
order to make a meaningful and positive impact on their lives. The unity of the
board is of paramount importance. It is important that you move in unison when
making decisions as your mandate is to ensure that the betterment of our
people’s lives is achieved through this instrument called the lottery,”
emphasised Masina.
Illustrating the
importance and benefits of the lottery to the country, Masina announced that
early childhood centres would be built throughout the country using funds
generated through the lottery.
He said the
dti leadership was committed to ensure that applications from
potential beneficiaries receive the necessary attention from the commission. He
also urged beneficiaries to use the funds they received from the lottery
prudently as government would like to see the funds making a difference in the
people that the beneficiaries promise to assist.
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