National Lotteries Commission Provides Update On 2024/25 Grant Adjudication Cycle

South Africa’s National Lotteries Commission has issued an update on its 2024/25 grant adjudication process. The 2024/25 Call for Applications opened on 2 December 2024 and closed in December 2025. This cycle represents the first to be administered through the Thuthuka online grant management system.

The Commission introduced the web based platform to streamline submissions and strengthen regulation. The system replaces manual processes that previously delayed reviews and approvals. Hence, organisational registration and application intake can now be managed within a single interface.

Application volumes and compliance screening

The Commission received 3,070 compliant applications across all provinces during the funding window. Adjudication began in August 2025 and remains in progress.

The NLC reported sustained demand for financial support from community and non profit organisations. Many applicants seek funding for social development programmes operating at local and provincial level.

During the application period, the system recorded 16,687 registered organisational profiles. Approximately 7,000 profiles were classified as non-compliant due to incomplete or unverifiable registration details.

Compliance failures were linked to documentation requirements from the Department of Social Development, the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission and the South African Revenue Service. Missing or inconsistent records prevented a significant number of applicants from advancing to adjudication.

Capacity building and stakeholder engagement

The National Lotteries Commission admitted to governance and compliance constraints within parts of the non-profit sector. These constraints affect eligibility for grant funding.

In response, the Commission has introduced education and awareness sessions in several provinces. Financial management and operational compliance workshops have been rolled out to strengthen internal controls among applicants.

Targeted stakeholder engagements are addressing recurring regulatory deficiencies identified during screening. The Commission said information on upcoming workshops will be shared through its official social media channels.

Officials expect that improved compliance will increase the number of qualifying applications in future funding cycles.

Digital oversight built around the Thuthuka system

The Thuthuka system now oversees initial registration, business plan submissions, grant agreement management. This  integrated structure allows tracking of applications throughout the funding lifecycle.

The Commission stated that the platform supports its turnaround strategy focused on operational efficiency and transparency. Timely processing of approved grants remains a key priority under the reform programme.

Furthermore, the National Lotteries Commission confirmed that further updates will follow as adjudication advances. It plans to issue a detailed report on funding outcomes by 31 March 2026 after completing additional assessment phases.