Lottery Board discusses funding with communities

Johannesburg - A discussion to formally cement an agreement between the National Lotteries Board (NLB) and various community stakeholders on co-operative efforts between the NLB and the Bakgatla-Ba-Kgafela Traditional Authority has been initiated, says Charlotte Mampane, the chief executive of the board.

"The discussion will lead to an agreement that will form the basis of a new mechanism to improve, among others, oversight on projects funded by the board to ensure that beneficiary organisations live up to the promises they make to communities," she said.

"The initiative is borne out of the recognition that communities, through their traditional leadership structures, have better access and influence on service delivery to organisations funded by the board, while still  maintaining the governance and oversight mechanisms that are in place to encourage accountability at all levels."

Job creation

This initiative is the first tangible outcome subsequent to the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the National House of Traditional Leaders, which aims to bring together interested and affected parties.

The partnership will also contribute to the National Development Plan’s (NDP) priorities of poverty alleviation and job creation in order to:

>> Provide support to traditional rural communities to access the board's funding to strengthen their capacity and increase their eligibility for funding and

>>Develop the capability and capacity of rural communities to manage community-based projects effectively and assist in accessing and utilising developmental resources towards sustainability.