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Mountaineer doing it for the Heroes! Sibusiso Vilane became the first black African to summit Mount Everest in May 2003. When you first meet Sibusiso Vilane, it is hard to imagine that he is the same man who reached the summit of Mount Everest. His small body frame belies the feats he has conquered in his life. But once he starts to talk about his life and experiences, you realise that Sibusiso?s strength is not necessarily physical, it is also spiritual and mental. Sibusiso?s talent for climbing was recognised by John Dobbl?whom he first met in 1993 when Dobbl?as a visitor at the game reserve where Sibusiso is employed as a game ranger. They have since become very firm friends. Dobbl?ncouraged Sibusiso to climb the highest peak in Swaziland, in Africa, and eventually fuelled his desire to climb the highest peak in the world. The mountaineer says that despite the challenges he was faced with on the Mount Everest Expedition, he was determined to reach the top for Africans, South Africans and all the people who have never had the opportunity to do it themselves. Sibusiso could not have done it without his climbing team. Sibusiso sites a team as one of the most important ingredients to achieve a dream, any dream. On the way to the top of the mountain, he was a motivator of his team members, while at the same time being motivated and inspired by his team members. For the 20th March ? 31st May 2005 Expedition, Sibusiso will need a team as strong and determined as the one he had on his first Expedition. And that will be the Birth to Twenty team. While Sibusiso is making his way to the top, the BTT staff and study participants will be climbing their very own Everest ? which is conducting research that makes a difference to the people of South Africa. Two different mountains, the same summit ? South African children and adolescents.
The Parents Lunch Seminar is targeted at caregiver/parents of the participants of the study and its aim is to interact with them and provide more information on the research BT20 is doing, what is happening at BT20 in the coming year. It is also aimed at addressing questions parents/caregivers may have about the study. It is also a time where caregivers can meet and interact with all the BT20 staff on a more personal level. The following topics will also be covered at the seminar: Birth To Ten To Twenty: Past and Present Birth to Twenty turns 14 years old BT20 which is the largest and longest running study of child health and development, has been in existence since 1990. 3723 children were born in the Soweto-Johannesburg metropolitan area and enrolled into the study following Nelson Mandela?s release from prison. Nelson Mandela?s release initiated the transition from Apartheid to democracy, and as South Africa celebrates its 10th year of democracy, BT20 celebrates its 14th birthday of the children who were born when South Africa saw the first signs of democracy. In honor of all the families which participate in BT20, the study hosted a Family Day with over 1500 children and parents. The day was fun-filled with various activities for the families to take part in and enjoy. One of the highlights of the day was the cutting of a massive birthday cake big enough to feed all of the 1500 ?Heroes? that celebrated the day with the BT20 staff. 10th International Year of the Family This year is a significant year as we not only celebrate South Africa?s 10th anniversary of democracy, but it also the 10th International Year of the Family an initiative of the United Nations. The International Year of the Family provides an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families as basic units of society as well as promote appropriate action. Governments, non-governmental organisations, educational institutions, religious groups and individuals can promote a better understanding of the functions and problems, strengths and needs of families by organising observances of the International Year of the Family. The United Nations has set forth suggestions to facilitate the observance of the International Year of the Family at both national and local level, which include active involvement of non-governmental organisations, the media as well as private and public organisations. The International Day of the Family is on the 15th May 2004. For more information visit: www BT20 launched in 1990 is the largest and longest running study of child health and development in Africa, and was started due to rising concerns about the implications of the rapid rate of urbanization on the health and wellbeing of South African children. Made up of 3273 families, the study is now in its 14th year of operation, and will run until the children reach the age of 20. Among other things, BT20 is interested in the family unit as a critical component in child development. In celebration of the International Year and Day of the Family, Bt20 and the University of the Witwatersrand hosted an event, on the 8th May 2004 to promote exposure of key challenges facing parents, children and families in the next coming years. Key policy-impacting findings from the Birth To Twenty study was presented to Gauteng government, the Mayor?s office, policy makers, NGO?s and relevant academics and researchers. BT20 is committed to disseminating the study?s findings so as to fulfill our vision of research that makes a difference. For a copy of the dissemination document that was presented, email: Daniel.LopesIbanez-Gonzalez@wits.ac.za). Nutrition: A Societal and Industry Responsibility Event: 18 ? 19 October 2004 ?Each child is an adventure to into a better life ? an opportunity to change the old pattern and make it new? ? Hubert H. Humphrey The Child Nutrition: A Societal and Industry Responsibility Event is a conference based on creating effective partnerships for healthier children. It will take place on the 18th ? 19th October 2004, at the Park Hyatt, Rosebank, Johannesburg. The conference is endorsed by the Birth to Twenty Research Programme and the University of Stellenbosch?s Nutrition Information Centre. The main aims of the event are to:
While malnutrition is considered one of the greatest risks to the well being of Africa s children, growing numbers of obese or overweight youngsters could have a greater part in threatening a country s future health. This conference will examine how organizations can effectively address child nutrition and implement successful collaboration. The speaker panel will comprise of representatives from Birth to Twenty, National Department of Health, Parkmore Centre for Holistic Medicine, Institute for Sport University of Pretoria, North-West University, Golden Judin Maisels Inc., Edu-Promo, Logistix Kids and the Kellogg Company of South Africa. Representing Birth to Twenty will be Shane Norris, who will give a presentation on Considering a Regional Overview of Child Obesity. For more information on this conference contact: Hennie Potgieter, Tel: (011) 516 1073 or henniep@marcusevanssa.com Kids? Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyle Conference and Birth To Twenty Birth to Twenty is proud to be associated with a conference that aims to talk about the issues of marketing to children, the nutritional value of the foods children eat and the combating of a sedentary lifestyle instead of quibbling over whose responsibility and area of expertise this should be. The Kids? Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyle Conference therefore focuses on bringing together as many different sectors of the healthcare industry as possible, along with educators and those who advertise and market to children. It is only through debate and discussion that the strengths and responsibilities of all parties can be taken into account and a way forward can be decided on. The contributors to this conference are made up of the University of the Witwatersrand?s Paediatric Department (Birth to Twenty), the South African Nutrition Experts Panel, Fitness From Africa, the University of the North West, a Paediatric Dietician, a Kinderkineticist, the Kellogg Company of South Africa, the Medical Research Council and McDonald?s. While it may not be possible to come to an agreement about many of the issues, the aim is to bring people together to start discussing all the options possible. The Birth to Twenty Research Programme will be featured at the conference as a case study, with Shane Norris, Project Manager, leading the session.
?Promoting men?s care and protection of children? The Fatherhood Project Photographic Exhibition was launched in Johannesburg on the 25th May 2004. On display at the exhibition were the photographs captured by professional photographers, students and school children. Some of the Birth to Twenty children also participated in the Fatherhood Project, falling under the category of school children. One of these children, Angel-Sheree, attended the exhibition and read out the moving essay she had written about her father. For more information on the Fatherhood Project visit: www.hsrc.ac.za/fatherhood/index.html The Fatherhood Photographic Project Exhibition: 24 March 2004 ?Promoting men?s care and protection of children?
The Human Sciences Research Council, together with UNICEF, launched the Fatherhood Project Photographic Exhibition at the Association of Arts Gallery in Pretoria, on the 24th March 2004. The Fatherhood Project?s exhibition of deeply moving photographs, by professional photographers, students and school children, gives expression to the possibilities and challenges of men?s closer involvement with children. The Child, Youth and Family Development Programme at the HSRC is working with a number of partners, including the South African Men?s Forum and the Department of Social Development, together with local groups in the communities in which the exhibitions are being held, to generate a positive image of fatherhood and to promote men?s care and protection of children. Two of the Birth to Twenty children who have participated in the Fatherhood Project was invited to the Photographic Exhibition - Nkosinathi and Chadley read out their touching essays they had written about their fathers for the Fatherhood Project. The Fatherhood exhibition will be coming to Johannesburg in May 2004. For more information on the Fatherhood Project visit: www.hsrc.ac.za/fatherhood/index.html The Birth to Twenty Parent Workshops The workshop is presented in several languages and covers the following topics: Birth To Ten To Twenty: Past and Present top of page |
fulfilling for him, he wants to do it again next 
The theme is ?Passionate About South Africa?. The main speaker at the seminar is Sibusiso Vilane, the first black South African to climb Mt Everest and the patron for Birth to Twenty. 
