National Task Team Announcement
Release date: 14 August 2026
Press release
A multi-stakeholder national initiative aimed at empowering students and young people through financial wellness education, responsible behavioural awareness, and prevention-focused engagement .
It is with great honour that we announce the formation of the National Task Team (NTT) for the Risk to Responsibility Campaign, a collaborative national initiative established to address growing concerns surrounding youth vulnerability, irresponsible gambling behaviours, financial wellness challenges, and the increasing exposure of students and young people to harmful online environments across South Africa.
The campaign was conceived in response to growing concern around the misuse of student financial aid and funding toward gambling activities, particularly among vulnerable student communities facing financial pressure, digital exposure, misinformation, and irresponsible gambling behaviour.
As online accessibility continues to expand, young people are increasingly exposed to illegal gambling platforms, impulsive behavioural influences, and harmful social environments that may negatively impact their financial wellbeing, academic performance, mental health, and future opportunities.
The Risk to Responsibility Campaign therefore seeks to create greater public awareness while promoting prevention-focused education, responsible behavioural awareness, financial wellness, and healthier decision-making among students and youth communities across South Africa.
The National Task Team (NTT) brings together strategic institutions and stakeholders committed to advancing youth empowerment, public education, prevention-driven engagement, and responsible behavioural awareness through collaborative national action.
Members of the National Task Team (NTT):
- African Lotteries and Gaming Association (ALGA)
- National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)
- National Gambling Board (NGB)
- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
- National Liquor Board Authorities
- Mpumalanga Economic Regulator (MER) - Chair Provincial Task Team (PTT)
- Higher Health
- South African Technical Vocational Education and Training Student Association (SATVETSA)
- South African Union of Students (SAUS)
Through educational outreach, media advocacy, public awareness initiatives, strategic partnerships, and youth-focused engagement programmes, the campaign aims to equip young people with the knowledge, tools, and opportunities necessary to move from environments of risk toward a future rooted in responsibility, empowerment, awareness, and opportunity.
The campaign further recognises the growing intersection between gambling environments, alcohol consumption, impulsive behavioural patterns, and youth vulnerability within social and digital spaces. Through responsible behavioural education and awareness-driven messaging, the initiative seeks to encourage healthier social environments while promoting informed participation and accountability among young people.
It is through shared values, collective responsibility, and a unified commitment to youth empowerment that the National Task Team firmly believes this campaign represents a collaborative national effort toward safeguarding the wellbeing, future, and long-term opportunities of young people across South Africa.
As part of the campaign rollout, the initiative will also introduce the Future Leaders Responsible Gambling Forum, a national student leadership platform designed to empower nominated student representatives from universities across South Africa to become advocates for financial wellness, responsible behavioural awareness, and youth safeguarding within their institutions and communities.
The Forum will provide opportunities for:
- Leadership engagement
- Advocacy initiatives
- Educational campaigns
- Industry Mentorship
- Peer-to-peer awareness programmes
- Community outreach initiatives
- National dialogue around youth safeguarding and responsible behavioural awareness
The Risk to Responsibility Campaign ultimately seeks to inspire long-term behavioural change by positioning young people not only as beneficiaries of awareness initiatives, but as active leaders capable of shaping safer, healthier, and more responsible communities.
About The National Task Team (NTT)
The National Task Team (NTT) is a collaborative multi-stakeholder structure bringing together institutions, industry stakeholders, educational bodies, advocacy organisations, and strategic partners committed to advancing youth safeguarding, responsible behavioural awareness, public education, and prevention-focused engagement across South Africa.
The NTT would like to express its gratitude to the Ministry of Higher Education and Training the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Competition for their guidance.
For media enquiries, contact:
Mr Ishmael Mnisi: NSFAS Spokesperson
Mobile: 063 685 7337
Musa Mngadi: ALGA CEO
Tel: 012 012 6204
Mr Asanda Msileni: NGB Communications Manager,
Mobile: 082 6306205
Dr Thato Masekoa: SAUS Spokesperson
Mobile: 079 129 5948
Mr Thabiso Luvano: SATVETSA Spokesperson,
Mobile: 065 968 2407
Published 18 August 2026
