African Voices Day - Safe Sport 2026
Leadership, collaboration and safeguarding innovation across Africa.
Exploring how context specific responses and local leadership can strengthen safe sport systems with regional commitments and global collaboration.
Safeguarding Leadership Across Africa
Africa Day focuses on strengthening safeguarding systems across the continent through leadership, collaboration and shared learning.
The day brings together policymakers, regional leaders, international federations and practitioners to explore how safeguarding can be effectively implemented across diverse sporting contexts. It highlights both the challenges and opportunities within different systems, with a strong emphasis on practical, locally relevant solutions.
Through dialogue, case studies and collaborative sessions, Africa Day aims to support knowledge exchange, strengthen partnerships and elevate African leadership within the global safe sport movement.
Tuesday Schedule (Day 2)
Session details and timings may change
07:00 – Morning wellbeing activities at your hotel
Optional self-led activities or take a guided run with Chiel Warners OLY.
08:15 – Venue Opens
Delegates arrive, collect materials and begin networking.
09:00 – Welcome & Opening by AUSC
Contextualising continental safeguarding frameworks and priorities
- Moderator: Dr Decius Chipande, Head of the African Union Sports Council
- Honourable Bertha Peace Mabe, Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, South Africa
- Dr Angela Martins, Acting Director, Social Development, Culture and Sports, African Union Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development
09:15 – Policy Drivers in Safe Sport: High Level Discussion
- Moderator: Dr Decius Chipande, Head of the African Union Sports Council
- Panel Member: Dr Ayalew Getachew Asseffa, African Union Commission on the Rights & Welfare of Children
09:55 – Building a Continental Safeguarding Network
Discussing international and continental sports federations embedding safeguarding across Africa, featuring:
- Kathryn Leslie (FIFA)
- Sarah Mukuna (CAF)
- Coralie Van Den Berg (World Rugby)
- Catherine Pitre (World Athletics).
10:50 – Refreshments
11:20 – Parallel Sessions 1
Panel Discussions Session A: Does Africa need National Sports Integrity Units? Moderator: Andrew Breetzke (South African Cricketer’s Association) Speakers: Chiel Warners (Atletiekunie), Khayran Noor (Sport Legal), Kim Pople(SASCOC) | Panel Discussions Session B: Supporting Survivors and Whistleblowers Moderator: Malebo Raditladi-Nkgakile (Safe & Inclusive Sport) Speakers: Ahmer Abdoulaye Maiga (Young People Protection Mali), Joanna Maranhao (Sport and Rights Alliance), Hayley Walker (Clathan)
| Panel Discussions Session C: The Dangers of Online Environments & Sport Moderator: Prof David Maralach (UCT) Speakers: Roshni Gajjar(United Against Online Abuse), Rene Mattheus(Pattern Interrupt Consulting), Scott Sloan(IOC) | Panel Discussions Session D: Safeguarding at Regional and Continental Sports Tournaments Moderator: Lina Kessy(AUSC) Speakers: Omar Amr Abou-Zeid (CAF), Dr Marc Hardwick (The Guardian), Patience Shikwambana (SASCOC) | Panel Discussions Session E: Safeguarding in Sport for Development Contexts Moderator: Ben Sanders (International Platform for Sport and Development) Speakers: Elvis Nshimba (Umoja Sport Foundation), Allan Williams (SSCNA),Keun Roberts (Laureus Sport for Good Foundation SA), Marisa Schlenker (Adidas Foundation) |
12:15 – Parallel Sessions 2
Panel Discussions Session A: Trauma Informed Case Management Moderator: Wafeekah Begg-Jessium (SAIDS) Speakers: Kyle Barber(Athletics Integrity Unit), Hayley Walker(Clathan), Khayran Noor (Sport Legal)
| Panel Discussions Session B: Addressing Mental Health Concerns in and Through Sport Moderator: Dr Debbie Alexander (IPC, APSO, World Triathlon) Speakers: Scott Sloan(IOC), Paula Yarrow(Waves for Change), Lydia Murungi (Game Connect-Olympic Refugee Foundation | Panel Discussions Session C: Tackling Gender Based Violence in and through Sport Moderator: Dorcas Amakobe (MTGK) Speakers: Dr Yetsa Tuakli-Wosornu(Stanford University), Arabinrin Aderonke(Fame Foundation Nigeria), Kaeli Baugaard(Safe-Hub Global)
| Panel Discussions Session D: Addressing Trafficking Through Sport in Africa Moderator: Donny Jurgens (University of Cape Town) Speakers: Monique Emser (University of KZN), Omar Amr Abou-Zeid (CAF), Meg Cooke(Emmaus Global).
| Panel Discussions Session E: Keeping Children Within Resource Poor and Crisis Contexts Safe Moderator: Zaine da Silva (Sport for Social Network Africa) Speakers: Dr Kingsley Udo(International Alert Nigeria), Geoffrey Kasudi (South Sudan Youth Sport Association, Gloria Veale (Balls not Guns South Africa).
|
13:00 – Lunch
13:45 – IOC Safe Sport Hub Feasibility Study and Progress
- Moderator: Catia Giannotta (IOC)
- Speakers: Stanley Mutoya (African Union Sports Council Region 5)
- Malebo Raditladi-Nkgakile (Safe & Inclusive Sport)
- Prof. Marion Keim (University of the Western Cape)
- Gaby Ahrens (Olympian-Namibia)
- Boniface Kambikambi (Secretary General ·National Olympic Committee of Zambia).
14:45 – Parallel Sessions 3
Panel Discussions Session A: Respecting Culture and Universal Human Rights Moderator: Tunde Johnson(SSI Trustee) Speakers: Dr Yetsa Tuakli-Wosornu (Stanford University), Anne Wambugu (MTGK), Kupakwashe Mukurumbira (SSI Trustee) | Panel Discussions Session B: Safeguarding & Anti-Doping: Moderator: Wafeekah Begg-Jessium (SAIDS) Speakers: Rodney Swigelaar (WADA), Sasha Martell (Safeguarding Consultant to the ITA),Khayran Noor (East Africa Law Society)
| Panel Discussions Session C: Working with Children: Misuse of Social Media & Communications Moderator: Anne Vermaak (GolfRSA) Speakers: Luke Lamprecht (Child Development and Protection Consultant), Joan van Niekerk (Jelly Beanz) | Panel Discussions Session D: Keeping Children Safe in Sport Academies: Moderator: Donny Jurgens (University of Cape Town) Speakers: Carmella Pugh(Right to Dream), Warren Engelbrecht (The Player Care Group), Russel Symcox (Gary Kirsten Cricket Academy) | Panel Discussions Session E: Child Centred Coaching & Giving Children a Voice: Moderator: Ben Sanders(International Platform for Sport and Development) Speakers: Dr Kingsley Udo(International Alert Nigeria), Karl Voysey (Safe Hub Global), Game Mthobi(TAFISA) |
15:30 – Refreshments
16:00 – What Sport Can Do Better
African victim/survivors reflect on their experience and tell sport what they should be doing better to protect from and respond to inter-personal violence.
- Glenn Joselowitz (Former International Gymnast, South Africa)
- Ahmer Abdoulaye Maiga (Young People Protection Mali) for Djelika “Mami” Tounkara (International Basketball Player, Mali)
16:35 – Informal Collaboration Open Spaces
This optional session provides space for participants to reflect on the day’s themes, share insights from their own roles, and explore opportunities for collaboration to advance safe sport in their contexts.
Breakout Room 1
Funding Safer Sport Common Safeguarding Approaches and updates from the Sport Funders Alliance.
Facilitators Marisa Schlenker (Adidas Foundation), Chiel Warners (SSI Trustee)
| Breakout Room 2
Safe Sport Governance & Structures
Networks of learning and support that can help implementation and change
Facilitators Norm Wain (SSI Trustee), Hannah Hinton US Centre for Safe Sport | Breakout Room 3
Safe Sport and Safeguarding Practices at Major Sporting Events
Sharing challenges, opportunities and experiences
Facilitators Ieuan Watkins (SSI Trustee) Chloe Jordan, (ENGSO Youth)
| Breakout Room 4
Safer Sport through Lived Experiences
How can the voices of affected persons inform and inspire change?
Facilitators Emma Thomas (SSI Trustee), Sasha Martell (SSI Trustee) | Breakout Room 5
Safe Sport Regulation and Legal Issues
Cross jurisdiction legal provisions, limitations, and community structures
Facilitator Tunde Johnson (SSI Trustee)
|
17:15 – Opportunity to freshen up
18:30 – African Themed Conference Dinner
Join us for a vibrant and unforgettable Conference Dinner at GOLD Restaurant, where culture, cuisine, and connection come together. Hosted by the Sport for Social Change Network Africa, this Africa-themed evening offers a rich sensory experience inspired by the continent’s diverse traditions.
Guests will enjoy an immersive dining journey featuring a variety of African-inspired dishes, live entertainment, and storytelling that celebrates community, heritage, and the power of sport for social change. This is a unique opportunity to network in a relaxed setting while experiencing the warmth and dynamism of African hospitality.
Advance booking is required.
21:00 – Close of conference dinner
Conference Dinner
Join us for a vibrant and unforgettable Conference Dinner at GOLD Restaurant, where culture, cuisine, and connection come together.
Hosted by Sport for Social Change Network Africa, this Africa-themed evening offers a rich sensory experience inspired by the continent’s diverse traditions.
Guests will enjoy an immersive dining journey featuring a variety of African-inspired dishes, live entertainment, and storytelling that celebrates community, heritage, and the power of sport for social change. This is a unique opportunity to network in a relaxed setting while experiencing the warmth and dynamism of African hospitality.
Open to all, excellent value, not to be missed.
Follow this link to purchase your ticket (select buy tickets, scroll down to the end of the list of options).