SANAC Sports and Entertainment Sector – tackling HIV stigma and discrimination

Dec 2, 2014 | News

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UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador, Loyiso Bala, sings from the heart at the Thabang Lebese Fundraiser Gala Dinner, 18 November 2014

On 18 November 2014, Show Me Your Number, the sector leader of the SANAC Sports and Entertainment Sector, and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) cohosted the Thabang Lebese Fundraiser Gala Dinner, an elegant affair held at Summer Place in Johannesburg. While the guests enjoyed delicious food, delicate wines, smooth entertainment and dynamic speakers, Thabang Lebese’s story and his family’s remarkable decision to reveal his HIV status to the world was on everyone’s minds. In light of the upcoming World AIDS Day commemoration on 1 December, Show Me Your Number and UNAIDS felt compelled to drive the event that highlighted the detrimental part played by stigma and discrimination in the HIV response.

Stigma and discrimination are two major factors that must be addressed when dealing with HIV as they are considerable hurdles to people getting the treatment and support they need. These factors stand in the way of those affected from being able to enjoy the quality of life we know is possible. It is crucial to mitigate the impact of stigma and discrimination on people living with HIV and if discrimination can be challenged and defeated in court, stigma must be must be met with relentless informational education.

Who was Thabang Lebese?

Thabang Lebese was a legendary South African football player, fondly known as ‘Chillies’. He began his career at the age of 15, rising from the poverty of Orlando East, Soweto, to the fame and fortune of the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL). He was one of only a handful of players to play for several PSL giants such as the Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Moroko Swallows. He played in 279 top-flight matches during his 13- year career, of which 220 were played in his favoured Chiefs colours.

Lebese passed away in Helen Joseph Hospital, Johannesburg, on 12 February 2012 at the age of 38. Thirteen days later his family announced on national radio that he had died of an AIDS-related illness. Before he died, his family didn’t know he was HIV positive.

At the time of the announcement his family said: “By coming out, we want to say to people ‘Please don’t be shy. Rather speak to someone close to you than suffer on your own’.”

It is widely accepted that Lebese couldn’t come to terms with HIV status and was unable to reach out to his loved ones for support. This is despite the fact that he was active in Show Me Your Number until his death.

What will the Thabang
Lebese Foundation do?

The Foundation will focus its work on addressing
HIV-related stigma and discrimination in memory of
Lebese’s struggle to disclose his HIV status. The other
focus is on the Lebese family, especially his mother
Florence Lebese, who was brave enough to disclose HIV
as the cause of Thabang’s death.

The activities of the Foundation will include:

Thabang Lebese Centre of Sport for Social
Change: a sports facility in Soweto that serves as the
legacy of Thabang Lebese. The facility is currently being
developed and once completed will provide afterschool
support for learners, indoor sport facilities, a life
skills and dialogue centre, a male medical circumcision
service and an HIV Counselling & Testing centre.

Stigma Dialogues: through Monde Lebese (the
younger brother of Thabang who is living openly with
HIV and who has been trained on HIV issues by Show
Me Your Number), these dialogues are being conducted
to address stigma and discrimination against people
living with HIV. The dialogues take place in various
settings, including households, public areas and
eventually at the Thabang Lebese Centre for Sport for
Social Change.

The Chillies Soccer Extravaganza: HIV awareness
indoor soccer games and a series of events that
will demonstrate South African football players’
commitment to the HIV response. This is a legacy
project to institutionalise the memory of Lebese
and remind us of his challenges with stigma and
discrimination.

During the fundraiser, speakers took turns to share with the guests their aspirations for the Thabang Lebese Foundation. Lesley Sedibe, CEO of Proudly South Africa and a friend, spoke fondly of Thabang Lebese and of his honesty and talent both as a player and as a friend. This was followed by Sydney Hadebe who addressed the potential role of football in preventing the spread of HIV among the youth.

UNAIDS Country Director for South Africa, Erasmus Morah, then took the stage and highlighted the numerous achievements that South Africa has accomplished in its HIV response and also unveiled a roadmap for the next years.

Ndaba Mandela, the keynote speaker, shared his personal experience of stigma. His father, Makgatho Mandela, passed away from AIDS-related illnesses on 6 January 2005. Under the leadership of Nelson Mandela, the family decided to disclose the cause of death to the nation and the world. Mandela pointed out how his grandfather’s courageous decision echoed that of Florence Lebese and her family.

UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador, Loyiso Bala wrapped up the evening on a high note, not only singing a few of his wellknown hits but also taking the time to address the issue at hand and to remind guests of the underlying motives behind the gala evening.

The evening was a celebration of who Thabang Lebese was as a player, a friend, and a son. It was an opportunity for those who knew and loved him to share their vision of what his legacy should be. Show Me Your Number, SANAC and UNAIDS are dedicated to providing the Thabang Lebese Foundation and the Lebese family with the support needed for it to grow and successfully achieve its goals.