7th BIENNIAL INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF THE
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY AFRICA REGIONAL GROUP (OTARG)
The biennial international congress of OTARG was held from the 12th -16th September
2011 in at the New Fairmont Hotel in Livingstone, Zambia. Livingstone is a small town
with historical significance a short distance from the magnificent Victoria Falls.
Livingstone is also the home of a number of breeding herds of African Elephant which
wander freely on the outskirts of the town and wander in to drink at the pub, a small pool
at the local garage, which was a delight to the 90 or so delegates, including the WFOT
President, Sharon Brintnell.
The congresses are the life blood of the OTARG community and always aim their
intellectual discussion at grass root issues and at providing services to people with
disabilities in developing contexts with a high burden of disease and few occupational
therapists to meet the needs. The congresses are also used to raise the political profile
of the profession in countries with limited staff and occupational therapy education
opportunities.
This congress was no different. Zambia has a single occupational therapist, Eckiwe
Kamanga, who is based in Livingstone. She was the chairperson of the Zambian
organizing committee who together with her physiotherapy colleagues and her
occupational therapy assistant, Boyd, were responsible for the smooth running of the
congress. It was a real multidisciplinary effort. The scientific programme on the other
hand was organized by a team of occupational therapists based in Cape Town South
Africa. This committee was chaired by Prof Theresa Lorenzo from the Center for
Disabilities Studies at the University of Cape Town. They have been planning the
programme for the past two years.
In keeping with the OTARG tradition, the congress was entitled ”Expanding Horizons:
Occupational Therapy for a Developing World”, a very fitting subject for an African
congress. The papers and workshops were all centered on the Millennium Development
Goals (MDG) with one or two goals being the focus of the days discussions.
Each day started with an inspiring key note address followed by parallel paper sessions
and workshops in the afternoons. Key note addresses were given by:
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Frank Kronenberg from South Africa who spoke about the MDGs and the
challenges for Occupational Therapy.
Justice Mackenzie Nthitu form Botswana who addressed issues relating to
MDG 2: Achievement of universal primary education.
Rozenn Botokro from Togo who spoke about MDG 4and 5: and her
experiences with community based rehabilitation and it potential to reduce child
mortality and improve a maternal health.
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Silvia Martens from Portugal/ Mozambique who spoke to MDG 8 (Global
partnerships for development) and the challenges and successes of the
international partnership to start the OT training in Mozambique.
Doriothy Chinguo from Malawi who also addressed the MDG 3 Gender
equality and empowerment of women drawing on her experiences.
Thus each key note address set the scene for many and varied high quality papers
that were presented from around the globe in developing contexts.
Sharon Brintnell also presented an overview of the WHO and World Bank‘s “World
Report on Disability” which raised lively discussions and food for thought in each of
the countries represented at the congress.
OTARG also had its Annual general meeting during the congress. Prof Alfred
Ramukumba stepped down as chairperson after two successful terms. A new
committee was voted in consisting of:
Sara Matovu ( Uganda)
Justice Mackenzie Nthitu (Botswanna)
Pat de Witt (RSA)
Fasloen Adams (RSA)
Rosemary Crouch (RSA)
Vivyan Alers (RSA)
Tatenda Maphosa (Zimbabwe)
Albert Pascal (Tanzania)
Chair person
Vice chairperson
Secretary
Treasurer
News letter
Web page
Student representative
Member without portfolio
At the end of the congress the following resolutions were adopted which proposed the
work that lies ahead.
Resolutions:
OTARG to strive to be the hub for co-ordination for developing OT in Africa and
raising the profile of OT in Africa.
All OT’s to engage actively in OTARG programme and events.
OTARG to encourage student participation through support and collaboration
and OTARG to facilitate interaction with WFOT.
MDGS to be central development of OT in Africa.
Some key thoughts by delegates at the end of the congress:
• Social determents are bigger than the profession and not in our control.
• OT needs to expand the horizon beyond the medical model to include
development agenda.
• How do we keep people well and engage them in occupations?
• Wellness and health promotion can be a challenge as it is also political.
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OT based practice based on the needs of the people (disabled and vulnerable
group).
Try to understand and appreciate and respect culture – immerse self in the
communities.
Respect meaning and value of smallest contribution - all valuable.
Recognize and identify social capital and HSS as an asset OT practice.
Focus on community based practice.
Unique contribution of Africa to theory and practice of the profession.
Identity and relevance is critical.
Africa as a hub of shared learning and reference.
o OTARG must not work in isolation but in partnerships and collaboration
developed with firm terms of reference.
o Build alliances through visibility of OT’s related network and other civil society
networks.
o Reciprocal capacity building – independent lifelong learners.
o Teaching and research across Africa.
o Support and mentorship.
o Awareness of policy
o Maximize critical events – occupation injustice both globally and regionally.
Some comments from delegates of their experience of OTARG 2011
• Leaving with valuable insights about Africa and OT projects.
• Confirmed that OT theory will come from Africa – very exciting - the rest of the
world can gain.
Submitted by: Pat de Witt, OTASA delegate to OTARG and OTARG Secretary
Elephant grazing on the
outskirts of Livingstone
Victoria Falls