May 15, 2026
ZimDev Takes Centre Stage at Safe Sport 2026 Global Conference
In a historic moment for Zimbabwean youth development, ZimDev joins the world's leading safeguarding experts, athletes, and policymakers at the Safe Sport International Global Conference 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa.
From May 25-27, 2026, ZimDev will participate in the premier global gathering dedicated to ending interpersonal violence, abuse, and harassment in sports environments worldwide. Held at the prestigious University of Cape Town against the dramatic backdrop of Devil's Peak, this landmark event brings together international speakers from Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America, and Oceania under the powerful theme: "Global Voices. Shared Solutions."
Conference at a Glance
📅 Dates: May 25-27, 2026
📍 Location: University of Cape Town, South Africa
🎯 Theme: Global Voices, Shared Solutions
🌍 Organized By: Safe Sport International
Why This Conference Matters for ZimDev
Safe Sport International's mission aligns perfectly with ZimDev's commitment to creating safe, empowering environments for vulnerable children and youth. The conference represents a unique opportunity for ZimDev to contribute Zimbabwe's perspective while learning from global best practices in safeguarding and athlete protection.
Our participation at Safe Sport 2026 reflects our dedication to not just empowering youth through skills development, but ensuring their safety and wellbeing in every sports and development programme we deliver.
Three Days of Global Learning and Collaboration
Day 1 - Research Day (May 25)
Twenty international speakers will present cutting-edge research on athlete rights, safeguarding systems, wellbeing, and policy. ZimDev will engage with evidence-based approaches that can strengthen our EmpowerSports programme and youth protection frameworks.
Day 2 - Africa Day (May 26)
A dedicated day highlighting continental leadership, featuring speakers from the African Union Sport Council (AUSC), International Olympic Committee (IOC), and South African Ministry of Sport. This represents a crucial platform for regional innovation and implementation strategies that ZimDev can adapt for Zimbabwe.
Day 3 - Global Vision Day (May 27)
Focusing on three core themes—Readiness, Accountability, and Practice—this day brings together major international sport organisations and global safeguarding experts to chart the future of safe sport worldwide.
Key Learning Opportunities for ZimDev
🛡️ Safeguarding Frameworks
Access practical tools and evidence-based frameworks to strengthen safeguarding culture across all ZimDev programmes and partner schools.
🌍 African Innovation
Learn from the innovation, resilience, and context-led practices emerging across Africa and Global South sporting systems.
🤝 Global Networking
Connect with international sport organisations, NGOs, researchers, and practitioners committed to athlete protection.
📚 Best Practices
Explore case studies and implementation strategies from organisations successfully creating safe sport environments.
How This Benefits Our Community
ZimDev's participation in Safe Sport 2026 directly translates to enhanced protection and support for the youth we serve in Chitungwiza and beyond.
Direct Benefits for Our Youth
✓ Enhanced Safeguarding Protocols: Implement internationally recognized child protection standards across all ZimDev programmes
✓ Coach Training Excellence: Equip our EmpowerSports coaches with global best practices in athlete safety and wellbeing
✓ Policy Development: Strengthen organizational policies based on international safeguarding principles
✓ Community Education: Bring back knowledge to educate partner schools and community stakeholders on creating safe sport environments
✓ Regional Leadership: Position ZimDev as a leader in youth safeguarding within Zimbabwe and Southern Africa
✓ Partnership Opportunities: Connect with international organizations for potential collaboration and resource sharing
ZimDev's EmpowerSports Programme: A Perfect Alignment
Our EmpowerSports initiative, which uses sports as a vehicle for youth development and includes a Referee Programme offering work placements for unemployed youth, embodies the values that Safe Sport International champions. This conference attendance will enable us to refine and expand this programme with enhanced safeguarding measures.
Looking Forward: Implementing What We Learn
Following the conference, ZimDev commits to translating global insights into local action. We will conduct comprehensive training sessions for our staff, volunteers, and coaches based on Safe Sport 2026 learnings. Our partner schools will receive updated safeguarding resources, and we will establish ongoing connections with the international safe sport community to ensure continuous improvement.
Post-Conference Action Plan
Immediate (June 2026): Staff training sessions on new safeguarding protocols and international best practices
Short-term (July-September 2026): Policy review and enhancement, coach certification updates, partner school engagement
Long-term (2026-2030): Integration of safe sport principles into Vision 2030 expansion, establishment of ZimDev as a regional safeguarding resource
Join Us on This Journey
Safe Sport 2026 represents more than a conference attendance—it's a commitment to excellence in youth protection and empowerment. As we gather with global leaders in Cape Town, we carry with us the voices, hopes, and dreams of the hundreds of young people we serve in Zimbabwe.
This is about ensuring that every child who walks through the doors of the ZimDev Empowerment Hub, every youth who participates in our EmpowerSports programme, and every young person we mentor experiences not just opportunity, but safety, dignity, and respect.
Supporting Safe Sport for Zimbabwe's Youth
Your support enables ZimDev to implement world-class safeguarding practices and continue empowering vulnerable youth safely and effectively