The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) has clarified that Professor Barney Pityana, the Chairperson of the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) Board, is retiring from his position, effective December 1, 2025, rather than having resigned.

According to Minister Parks Tau, Professor Pityana submitted a formal request to retire in July 2025. Minister Tau has accepted this request, and a process to fill the vacancy is now underway. To ensure continuity in the strategic and governance responsibilities of the commission, Professor Pityana will continue in his role until December 31, 2025.

Professor Pityana was appointed to the NLC on August 1, 2022, by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition.