The South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) hosted the first ever, high visibility symposium aimed at developing a strategic plan of action to be integrated with the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup. The Symposium took place on Wednesday, 18 Nov 2009 at the Parktonian Hotel, Braamfontein. The symposium resolved to work within FIFA, South African Football Association (SAFA) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) to use the 2010 World Cup to promote HIV and AIDS prevention messages within the context of FIFA’s 11 for Health programme and SANAC’s national strategic plan on HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
The symposium, coordinated by the Sport and Entertainment sector of SANAC, focussed on communications platforms, advocacy platforms and social mobilisation platforms that could be used before, during and post the 2010 FIFA World Cup to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS in South Africa, within the context of the National Strategic Plan on HIV and AIDS, TB and STIs 2007 to 2011.
The Symposium sought to successfully connect sport and entertainment activists and advocates to enhance their respective cross-sector linkages to identify the policy and legal framework requirements by FIFA with respect to engaging men and women in the Sport and Entertainment sector in promoting HIV and AIDS prevention and treatment that will create lasting impact for generations to come.
“We have set for ourselves attainable and achievable objectives through the deliberations at this symposium. Our mandate is to put them to action and ensure that our actions count as we contribute towards the renewed call by the President and the Minister of Health in the fight against HIV and AIDS, and other related health issues. Through the FIFA’s innovative project: 11 for Health, which seeks to contribute towards promotion of health through sports, we can only achieve more,” said Dr Ramathesele, the 2010 FIFA World Cup Local Organising Committee Chief Medical Officer and SANAC Sport and Entertainment sector Chairperson.
Through its outcomes, the symposium, entitled The Parktonian Minute on 2010 World Cup with respect to Football for Health, HIV and AIDS, identified the following key issues that require energy, partnerships and innovative strategic approach in dealing with them during the 2010 World Cup and beyond:
* commercial sex work
* human trafficking
* stigma and discrimination
* alcohol and drug use
* child protection
The meeting resolved, through a multi-sector coordination committee, working under the auspices and leadership of the SANAC Sport and Entertainment sector, to undertake the following:
* leverage existing platforms
* development of common messages to support the following activities or campaigns
* know your status campaign led by the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi
* SANAC’s 'I am responsible, we are responsible, South Africa is taking responsibility' theme for the 2010 World AIDS Day and throughout 2010
* actively contribute and participate in the World AIDS Day on 1 December 2009
* use available FIFA platforms and networks, through SANAC and based on the South African government guarantees to FIFA, subject to discussions with FIFA
* use the FIFA logo, in association with SANAC for 2010 World Cup related activities or messages
* incorporate the FIFA 2010 World Cup slogan on messages to be developed
* engage with FIFA’s sponsors to partner to support activities to be undertaken
* promote FIFA’s or government’s health promotion strategy, thus creating a win-win situation
* explore others areas “falling through the cracks”, condom procurement and distribution and voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) at FIFA platforms (stadia and fan parks)
Dr Ramathesele concluded that by saying: “The work does not end here. We have to take some bold steps in striving to convince FIFA and the LOC to consider endorsing the SANAC Sport and Entertainment sector as the 2010 World Cup brand associates. The SANAC Sport and Entertainment sector is mandated by SANAC, and with concurrence from this symposium, we are better placed to streamline and position the numerous HIV and AIDS prevention and treatment programs in the making or currently in existence before, during, and after the global football spectacle, and that we will be able capitalise on the competitive advantages that we enjoy in some areas, particularly football.”
About Sports and Entertainment sector secretariat
The SANAC Sport and Entertainment sector (SES) is one of the 19 civil society sectors represented in SANAC. The roles and responsibilities of the sectors are spelled out in the SANAC procedural guidelines and include implementation of the national strategic plan’s goals and coordination, communication and consensus building within the sector and between sectors.
For more information contact:
Thulani Njapa
Cell: 082 386 0347
E-mail: thulani@bosabosele.co.za
Issued by: South African National AIDS Council
19 November 2009
