Ten Southern African countries participated in deliberations of the high-level regional seminar organised by ANOCA Zone VI, bringing together Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe and host country Zambia.
The seminar afforded a wonderful opportunity for learning and sharing best practices among these countries, working together to implement the critical safeguarding agenda across the Southern African Region. It was indeed a firm commitment by states to take appropriate measures through the signing of a joint agreement to chart the way forward.
Sessions featured Safeguarding at Games and competitions and the IOC’s safeguarding approach at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, including safeguarding measures set at country level, with country representatives sharing their challenges and successes. This was, for instance, the case for both Zambia and South Africa.
The four-day seminar discussed topics, including an overview of safeguarding in sport, participants’ rights, integrity in sport, expectations for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, human rights and law enforcement in interpersonal violence at country level and in sport, as well as the fight against doping, clean sport, and the role of safeguarding officers in each country.
ANOCA Zone VI President Alfred FOLOKO welcomed dignitaries present at the opening ceremony, including Dr Decius CHIPANDE, Head of the African Union Sports Council (AUSC), who was accompanied by AUSC Region 5 CEO Stanley MUTOYA, TAFISA Vice President for Africa Keenese Neoyame KATISENGE, Africa Zone VI RADO Chairman, Dr Nicholas MUNYONGA, and Botswana National Sports Commission CEO, Tuelo D. SERUFHO. Also in attendance were ANOCA Zone VI Secretary General, Joan SMIT, Drug Enforcement Commission Director of Educational Services, Gilbert SINYANI, and NOCZ CEO, Boniface KAMBIKAMBI.
While opening the seminar, Dr Decius CHIPANDE underscored that the safe and inclusive sports agenda is central to the development of sport on the continent to ensure that there is an equitable and a fair environment in all facets of life, including sport.
He hailed the collaboration and commendable work being done by ANOCA Zone VI, as well as the success of the region, evidenced by the quality of seminar participants from across the region, with unquestionable expertise in safe and inclusive sport. He further expressed the hope that the work being done in Zone VI could be extended to other regions, citing the collaboration between the Olympic Movement of Southern Africa and AUSC Region 5.
