Parliament, Tuesday, 9 June 2026 – The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development, Ms Masefako Dikgale, has welcomed the National Assembly's (NA) adoption of the committee's report recommending four candidates for consideration by the Minister of Small Business Development, Ms Stella Ndabeni, for appointment as Ombud in the Office of the Small Enterprise Ombud Service.
The four recommended candidates are Adv Lufuno Tokyo Nevondwe, Adv Sonwabile Mancotywa, Adv Lehlohonolo Lucky Rabotapi, and Adv Mheshe Nande.
The recommendations follow an extensive and transparent recruitment process undertaken by the committee. Members of the public were invited to submit nominations, after which the committee shortlisted eight candidates who participated in public interviews.
In terms of Section 17D of the National Small Enterprise Amendment (NSEA) Act, No. 21 of 2024, the Office of the Small Enterprise Ombud Service is established as a juristic person and is subject to the provisions of the Public Finance Management Act.
The Ombud is appointed for a five-year term, renewable for one additional term. The office is mandated to consider and adjudicate complaints lodged by small enterprises and small enterprise organisations through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms provided for in the Act.
The NSEA Act further empowers the Ombud to initiate investigations into any conduct alleged to be prohibited under the Act, either based on a complaint lodged by a small enterprise or at the direction of the Minister of Small Business Development.
Following its adoption by the NA, the report will be forwarded to Minister Ndabeni who will appoint the Ombud in accordance with Section 17F of the Act.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, MS MASEFAKO DIKGALE.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Mr Justice Molafo
Cell: 081 424 7481
Email: jmolafo@parliament.gov.za
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