Africa Zone VI RADO

Grand deception has spoken loudly for a very long time. Greed has spoken loudly for decades and centuries, attracting lots of people. Liars, manufacturers and marketers of dangerous drugs as well as performance -enhancing substances in sport now have the audacity to organize the "Enhanced Games" where careless and unstructured experimentation with drugs is promoted. These are Games where the Athletes are guinea pigs, sacrificed on the altar of profit. I am a sport administrator and leader by choice. I am intentional, as a boy who grew up in the townships of Harare, about giving back to others what I got from sport i.e. clean and healthy sport! Sport is about fairness, respect for the rules and for your opponents. Most importantly , Clean Sport is about respect for yourself! The global sports movement, led by the International Olympic Committee(IOC) and corporate sponsors should stop whispering about Clean Sport. They must boldly proclaim Clean Sport from the roof-tops, support the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and its partners with meaningful resources, in their drive to preserve the integrity of sport as a unifying force. This is the only way of preserving global sport as a noble heritage for future generations. PLAY TRUE! SAY NO! TO DOPING IN SPORT! hashtag - It starts with YOU!

The Principle of Strict Liability in Anti-Doping means that the Athlete is ultimately responsible for whatever metabolites or markers that are found in his/her sample when it is analyzed at a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) -accredited laboratory. Athletes , especially those in the national teams and representing their countries in major continental and international competitions are always subject to doping control testing. Athletes must always be extremely careful about what they consume or the medications they take as well as they methods utilized. Check the 2026 WADA List of Prohibited Substances and Methods! Coaches and managers should ensure that Athletes always get assistance from qualified medical professionals. Play True ! SAY NO! TO DOPING IN SPORT!

The Africa Zone VI Regional Anti-Doping Organization (Africa Zone VI RADO was established by National Olympic Committee and Government representatives from Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe with the assistance of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on 2-3 May 2006 in Maputo, Mozambique. In 2013, the Republic of Ghana, from West Africa, was admitted into the membership of the Africa Zone VI RADO comprising Southern African nations, to assist the country in the implementation of anti-doping programs.

During this month of May 2026, the Africa Zone VI RADO is proud to mark 20th anniversary. The Africa Zone VI RADO has, in partnership with the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 and the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) Zone VI, collaborated on many projects and programs for the benefit of sport in Southern Africa. Of great importance in the tripartite partnership, has been the delivery of the education and testing programs at the AUSC Region 5 Youth Games as follows:
 2012- Lusaka (Zambia)
 2014- Bulawayo (Zimbabwe)
 2016- Luanda (Angola)
 2018- Gaborone (Botswana)
 2021- Maseru, Lesotho
 2022- Lilongwe (Malawi)
 2025- Windhoek & Swakopmund (Namibia)
It is, therefore, more than an alignment of purposes and events, that the 20th Anniversary of the Africa Zone VI RADO takes the organization back to the country of its birth on the occasions of the 2026 Member Country Representatives (MCRs) Meeting to be held on `18-19 November 2026 as well as the 2026 AUSC Region 5 Youth Games to be held in December 2026.
For the past two decades, Africa Zone VI RADO has stood as the lead agency and vigilant guardian of Clean Sport across our region. What began as a commitment to the principles of fair play has grown into a mature, respected, and essential institution in the global anti-doping movement.


Over these 20 years, massive collaborative effort led by the Africa Zone VI RADO has;

 helped to protect the rights of countless clean athletes, ensuring their victories are earned through dedication, not deception.
 with the assistance of the WADA and other partners, evolved with science – embracing new research, testing methods, and intelligence-led approaches to stay ahead of those who would cheat.
 built a culture of integrity, not just through testing, but through education, prevention, and unwavering partnership with Governments, National Olympic Committees/ National Anti-Doping Organizations, regional confederations and national sports federations.

The Africa Zone VI RADO is a symbol of and testament to the resilience and professionalism of every person who has contributed to this mission – from the anti-doping educators, sample collection personnel and sport leadership in the various countries shaping the mindset of the next generation of athletes.

The Africa Zone VI RADO and its various partners are painfully aware and do recognize that the fight is far from over. New threats will emerge. Resources, both human and financial, will be challenged. But if these 20 years have taught us anything, it is that Southern Africa possesses a resolute as well as unique collective will, expertise, and unity to confront them.

As the Africa Zone VI RADO celebrates this milestone, it is aware of the responsibilities that is has, to establish a vibrant Clean Sport and learning community in the region. The work of the tripartite of partners, of the Africa Zone RADO, AUSC Region 5 and ANOCA Zone VI ensures that, during the pursuit of sporting excellence, when athlete from a member country stands on the podium, the world can truly believe in that moment.

The Africa is excited about the next 20 years – and to the clean, fair, and ethical sporting competition we will continue to defend together.

Clean Sport- It starts with you!

" The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do". Steve Jobs

Yes, we are crazy about sport, and we value the work of the Africa Zone VI RADO. The establishment and continued operation of the Africa Zone VI RADO is premised on the recognition that:
• Sport is a critical component of the social, economic and political development of Southern Africa.
• Sport is effective and ethical when practiced free of drugs or doping in a spirit of fair play and mutual respect for everybody involved.
• The member states of Zone VI need to pool resources and expertise in order to play a critical role in combating the scourge of drugs and doping in sport.

SAY NO! TO DOPING IN SPORT! PLAY TRUE!
TRUE CHAMPIONS RUN CLEAN

It is with profound sadness that the Africa Zone VI Regional Anti-Doping Organization (RADO) mourns the passing of Stay-C Namases -Sandlana, a dedicated and passionate anti-doping educator who devoted their life to promoting integrity, fairness, and clean sport in Namibia and beyond. Stay-C’s unwavering commitment to educating athletes, coaches, and communities about the importance of clean competition has left an indelible mark on the world of sport.

For twelve years, as one of the Africa Zone VI RADO Stay-C served as a beacon of knowledge, inspiration, and hope. Her tireless efforts to combat doping and uphold the values of fair play has touched countless lives and will continue to resonate for generations to come. Stay-C’s legacy is not only in the policies and programs she helped shape but also in the countless individuals she inspired to pursue excellence in sport with honesty and respect.

During this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with Namases family, friends, and colleagues. May the Namases family and all Namibians find comfort in the knowledge that Stay-C’s work has made a lasting impact, and her spirit will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing and working with her.

Rest in peace, Stay-C. Your dedication and passion will never be forgotten.

https://www.wada-ama.org/en/prohibited-list

In preparation for the 2025 Sporting Year, athletes, coaches, managers and team medical personnel must familiarize themselves with the 2025 Prohibited List to avoid any cases of inadvertent doping. Get informed! Ignorance is not an excuse! SAY NO! TO DOPING IN SPORT! True Champions are Clean Champions!

Stand up Champions! Stand up and be counted the women and girls of Africa! You can change this continent for the better!

The « Teaming Up: meets » Mentorship Program is here to empower young African women in sports! 🚀 Get ready for monthly workshops, and immersive experiences to develop skills for success in the sports industry and advocate for women’s health issues, all with the guidance of a dedicated mentor.
Apply to be a mentee by October 7, at 9 AM GMT : https://shorturl.at/XUUrC

Africa has lost a truly great man! Greatness does not just come from lofty achievements but from one's love for fellow human beings and the desire to make a positive impact in their lives. We are truly to privileged to say we lived in the same era as the great Dikembe Mutombo. We might not have been privileged to be in his presence or to shake his hand but he found a way to make us as Africans feel very special through his single-minded pursuit of excellence in basketball.

NBA Global Ambassador and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo passed away at the age of 58.
Dikembe loved the game of basketball and made a positive impact on communities across Africa.
He was always accessible at BAL games and events, with his infectious smile, deep booming voice, and signature finger wag that endeared him to basketball fans of every generation.
On behalf of the entire NBA Africa and BAL family, we extend our deepest condolences to Dikembe’s family, his many friends, and the global basketball community, which he truly loved.

Happy Independence Day to the Kingdom of Lesotho. Dumelang bana ba ha Moshoeshoe! Enjoy this special day in your lives!

It is an exciting time for Track and Field Athletics for the Africa Zone VI Regional Anti-Doping Organization (RADO) member countries. New global superstars will emerge in Lima , Peru at the World Athletics U20 Championships ( 27- 31 August 2024). It is the responsibility of all partners and stakeholders to ensure that these young stars of Athletics continue to compete clean! ! Stand Up ! Speak Up Against Doping in Sport!