Uthingo
First operator of South African National Lottery
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Uthingo Management (Pty) Ltd was the first licenced operator of the South African National Lottery from March 2000 to March 2007.[1][2] Uthingo, which means "Rainbow" in Zulu, was a Black Economic Empowerment-compliant consortium, with 70 percent ownership by South Africans, including black-owned firms, the South African Post Office, and the National Empowerment Fund.[3][4][2] The other 30 percent was owned by overseas shareholders were GTech Corporation, Camelot Group, and Tattersalls, which each owned 10 percent.[4] The CEO of Uthingo was Humphrey Khoza, an ordained priest who was also the first black president of the South African Chamber of Business.[2]
Camelot sold its stake in Uthingo in 2005.[5] In 2006, Uthingo lost its bid to renew its licence to Gidani, triggering a protracted legal battle in the Pretoria High Court.[6][2] Lawyers for Uthingo argued that three members of Gidani were prominent figures in the African National Congress, presenting a conflict of interest.[2][7] The national lottery was suspended for a seven-month period until the court ultimately upheld Gidani's bid in October 2007.[2]