NEARLY 11 years after it was established, the National Lotteries Board will finally make sweeping changes to the way it disburses funds, offering hope to thousands of desperate charities in South Africa.
The board yesterday admitted the Lotteries Act would have to be changed to ensure a fairer distribution of funds, particularly to smaller charities.
Its funding emphasis would change from urban to rural South Africa.
This move comes after years of criticism by charity organisations starved of desperately needed funds, whereas sporting and arts bodies found it relatively easy to get money.
The board provoked outrage in December when it allocated R40million to the National Youth Development Agency for 9-day international festival for young people in Pretoria.
The board is developing a code of conduct to root out corruption and "irregularities" in the distributing agencies. - Additional reporting by Harriet McLea