About us

Advocacy in Action

Media

Using traditional and new media platforms, SAAPA challenges the status quo, expose industry tactics e.g., SAB “beers for Africa”, provide training for journalists on alcohol and its harm e.g., Zambia and Botswana, lobby for evidence-based policies whilst encouraging ordinary people to put their voice behind the call on government to put public health and people first.

Partnerships

Guided by health promotion principles, SAAPA actively engages and mobilisescivil society organisations from the children’s rights, development, environment, gender, health, road safety, violence prevention sectors to support and integrate evidence-based alcohol policy advocacy as part of their mandate for development and social justice.

Capacity strengthening

SAAPA is a platform to share and exchange information, identify training opportunities, accompany and motivate proponents of evidence-based alcohol policies.

Our Values

– Advance public health
– Promote collective action
– Be accountable
– Remain autonomous
– Respect gender and diversity
– Promote development and transformation
– Advocate for no association with the industry and its associates

Our Expertise

Staff and volunteers are equally valued and jointly shape the work of the organisation. The skills set within SAAPA ranges from materials development, journalism, campaigning, public health, organisational development, community development, law, treatment, psycho-social support and many more.

Our History

On 8 November 2012, SAAPA was established at the inaugural Southern African Alcohol Policy Forum in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Attending the forum were delegates selected from civil society organizations from the following regional countries; Namibia, Malawi, Madagascar, Zambia, Botswana, Lesotho and South Africa as well as organisations from Kenya, Sierra Leone, Sweden and Norway. The purpose of the forum was to build competence on the alcohol situation on both a local and a global level, exchange policy and prevention work experience and discuss a closer regional collaboration.

The Forum was organised by the two Norwegian NGOs FORUT and Blue Cross together with the Global Alcohol Policy Alliance. Co-sponsors were the WHO Regional Office for Africa, the Medical Research Council of South Africa, International Blue Cross (IFBC) and The African Journal of Drug and Alcohol Studies.

South African Development Community (SADC)

SAAPA is influenced by the SADC’s Protocol on Health which acknowledges that the health of a population contributes to the development of a nation.

SAAPA views SADC and its related health and development oriented policies as a guide for the kind of issues and linkages that governments in the region should employ in the development of evidence -based alcohol policies.

SAAPA endeavours to engage respective governments in the region to influence in-country policy development and implementation as well as lobbying for a SADC alcohol protocol that would support in-country policies.

We represent countries in Southern Africa

Prisca Mokgadi

Chairperson

Efraim Hamukoto

Vice Chairperson

Thabo Mokhutsoane

Secretary

Sue Goldstein

Treasurer

Chief Masimba Biriwasha

PRO

Layani Elias

SAAPA Botswana

Rene Adams

SAAPA Namibia

Kefuoe Moso

SAAPA Lesotho

Goldman Munjoma

SAAPA Zimbabwe

Bongi Ndondo

Board Chairperson

Aadielah Maker Diedericks

Regional Co-ordinator