Parliament, Thursday, 3 April 2025 – The Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development has, in line with section 17F of the National Small Enterprise Amendment (NSEA) Act of 2024, recommended four candidates for the Minister of Small Business Development to appoint as Ombud in the new Office of Small Enterprise Ombud Service.
In line with the NSEA Act, the following candidates are eligible for appointment:
- Mr Lufuno Tokyo Nevondwe;
- Adv Sonwabile Mancotywa;
- Mr Lehlohonolo Lucky Rabotapi; and
- Ms Nande Mheshe.
The committee’s recommendation follows a transparent nomination process by members of the public and lengthy interviews of eight shortlisted candidates on Tuesday, 1 April 2025.
The Office of Small Enterprise Ombud Service is established as a juristic person in terms of section 17D of the NSEA Act, and it is accountable to both the Minister of Small Business Development and Parliament.
According to section 17G of the NSEA Act, the Ombud must consider and adjudicate complaints by small enterprises and small enterprise organisations through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. The Ombud may initiate an investigation concerning a complaint by a small enterprise concerning any alleged prohibited conduct or when directed to do so by the minister.
The committee’s recommendation will be tabled in the National Assembly for adoption, and it will then be forwarded to Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams for her consideration and appointment.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFILIO COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, MS MASEFAKO DIKGALE.
For media inquiries, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Justice Molafo (Mr)
Parliamentary Communication Services
Cell: 081 424 7481
Email: jmolafo@parliament.gov.za
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