Open letter to: Member Universities and Centres of Excellence within ARUA
23 November 2021
RE: CONFLICT OF INTEREST AT THE THIRD BIENNIAL CONFERENCE OF THE AFRICAN RESEARCH UNIVERSITY ALLIANCE (ARUA), GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH CHALLENGES: FACING THEM IN AFRICA (17 – 19 NOVEMBER 2021)
We are a group of concerned public health practitioners and academics working in the fields of child health, nutrition, non-communicable diseases (NCD’s) and health promotion.
We are pleased that the Third Biennial Conference of the African Research University Alliance (ARUA) on Global Public Health Challenges: Facing them in Africa to be held from the 17th to the 19th of November will include topics relating to food governance, systems, and access to nutritious food as well as discussions on the role of NCDs in global health.
We understand access to nutritious food to be a key driver of global public health.i We also note the role of diet-related non-communicable diseases in exacerbating the Covid-19 pandemic worldwide, and in Africa. ii Finally, the role of the private sector in influencing food environments in Africa cannot be overstated, iii with corporate political activity and progressive health policies relating to the diets frequently at odds.iv
We note that Professor Lindiwe Sibanda (UP) as one of the main conference speakers will be providing opening remarks. We also note from the biography connected to this conference that Professor Sibanda is a serving member of the Nestlé International Board of Directors. We are concerned that URUA does not recognize this as a conflict of interest.
Nestlé is an international company with a product portfolio that includes infant feeding products, soft drinks, coffee and tea products. Nestlé is a behemoth in the food and beverage industry, reporting CHF 7.3 billion profit for the first half of 2021 (ZAR 122.9 billion/ NGN 3293.4 billion/ 4530 CFA billion). Nestlé controls the world’s most valuable food and drinks portfolio.v Per its own admission, more than 60% of Nestlé’s food and beverage portfolio are deemed unhealthy products.vi Nestlé has also been accused of engaging in harmful corporate practices including the use of child slave labour, vii illegally promoting- breastmilk substitutes, viii unfair labour practices, ix and massive water usage sourced from water-scarce areas.x We only list allegations levelled against Nestlé in 2021. We do not purport to take a position on these allegations, but we are concerned by the gravity and scope of these allegations.
Specifically, in South Africa, we have documented repeated violations by Nestle of the R991xi xii regulations related to infant formula marketing and recently academics and civil society voiced opposition to a recent Nestle sponsored event for mothers which was subsequently cancelled.xiii
We note the Carnegie Corporation which is funding this conference is committed to avoiding conflicts of interest as per its 2009 Code of Ethics.xiv We believe the member universities of ARUA share in this commitment. Public Health England defines conflict of interest as an inability to contribute impartially to a programme of work, research, governance or oversight functions.xv The WHO described a conflict of interest as a set of circumstances where there is a potential for a secondary interest to unduly influence or be reasonably perceived to unduly influence the independence or objectivity of the primary interest. xvi The World Public Health Nutrition Association classifies possible conflicts of interest as any engagement with commercial producers of unhealthy foods, and specific industry involved in infant feeding products, ultra-processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages (all part of Nestlé’s product portfolio).
As academics and professionals, we may think we are immune to conflicts of interest, yet a Cochrane review found that industry funding leads researchers to favour corporations either consciously or unconsciously. xvii While a conflict of interest does not necessarily equate to collusion or corruption it is often “difficult to distinguish subtle, unconscious bias from deliberately concealed impropriety”. xviii It is also important to recognise that perceived conflicts of interest may be as damaging as actual conflicts as they may “tarnish the reputation of scientists, organisations or corporations”. As such governments, universities and international organisations such as the WHO, have put measures in place to prevent and mitigate conflicts of interest.
The first step in managing conflicts of interest is disclosure and transparency at the individual and institutional level in order to screen and identify individuals/institutions with conflicting interests. xix While this is indeed a necessary first step, it is not sufficient to eliminate the COI, and where serious conflicts of interest arise between an individual’s private interests and public duties, it may become necessary to prohibit that individual from taking on positions of influence, and/or participating in key decision-making processes. Alternatively, the individual or institution should be asked to divest and rid itself of any interest that may undermine its integrity and independent judgement.
We are therefore concerned that Professor Sibanda’s leadership role in the conference, including hosting a workshop in her role as Director of the ARUA Centre of Excellence in sustainable food systems, while simultaneously holding a remunerated xx board of directors position with Nestlé constitutes a conflict of interest which may further compromise food and nutrition security on the African continent
Please clarify how this conflict has been investigated and how the conflict of interest will be managed.
Yours Sincerely,
List of Signatories:
Name | Institutional affiliation |
Dr Chantell Witten | South African Civil Society for Women’s Adolescent’s and Children’s Health –
SACSoWACH |
Prof Tanya Doherty | Health Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council |
Prof Karen Hofman | SAMRC Centre for Health Economics and Decision Science, PRICELESS SA,
Wits School of Public Health |
Prof Susan Goldstein | SAMRC Centre for Health Economics and Decision Science, PRICELESS SA,
Wits School of Public Health |
Lori Lake | Children’s Institute, University of Cape Town. |
Dr Sara Jewett Nieuwoudt | School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand |
Prof Ameena Goga | HIV Prevention Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council |
Prof Maylene Shung-King | School of Public Health and Family Medicine, UCT |
Dr Catherine Mathews | Health Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council |
Prof Rina Swart | Dietetics and Nutrition, University of the Western Cape |
Prof Mark Tomlinson | Institute for Life Course Health Research, Dept Global Health, Stellenbosch
University |
Catherine Pereira-Kotze | School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape |
Prof Chris Scott | Paediatrics and Child Health, UCT |
Dr Louis Reynolds | Paediatrics and Child Health, UCT; People’s Health Movement |
Prof Arvin Bhana | Health Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council,
Centre for Rural Health, College of Health Sciences, UKZN |
Dr Gillian Schermbrucker | Paediatrics and Child Health, UCT |
Dr Zoe Duby | Health Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council;
School of Public Health & Family Medicine, University of Cape Town |
Dr Wiedaad Slemming | Division of Community Paediatrics, University of the Witwatersrand;
SACSoWACH |
Ms. Pumla Dlamini | SACSoWACH Co-Chair |
Ms Emmanuelle Daviaud | Health System Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council |
Raul Mercer MD MSc | Working group on Commercial Determinants of Child Health / CAP 2030 |
Precious Robinson | SACSoWACH Chairperson |
Dr Elizabeth Goddard | Paediatrics and Child Health, UCT |
Mary Kinney | School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape |
Prof. Ingunn Marie Stadskleiv
Engebretsen |
Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Norway |
Jane Badham | Global Nutrition Consultant |
Simela Petridou | La Leche League South Africa |
Tamryn Frank | School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, South Africa |
Stefan Peterson | Karolinska Institutet |
Leslie London | School of Public Health, University of the Cape Town |
Dr Annibale Cois | Division of Health Systems and Public Health, Department of Global Health,
Stellenbosch University |
Prof Amy Slogrove | Paediatrics and Child Health, Stellenbosch University |
Dr Rahmat Bagus | General Practitioner, IBCLC, La Leche League Leader South Africa |
Dr Gabriel Urgoiti | RX Radio SA |
Dr Elmarie Malek | Paediatrics and Child Health University of Stellenbosch |
Joan Truby | La Leche League South Africa |
Prof Desiree Lewis | Women’s and Gender Studies Department, University of the Western Cape |
Vicky Reynell | La Leche League South Africa |
Prof Mignon McCulloch | |
Dr Wanga Zembe | |
Maryse Arendt | BFHI coordinator Luxembourg |
Nzama Mbalati | Healthy Living Alliance (HEALA) |
Elisabeth Sterken, MSc Dt. | Director INFACT Canada/IBFAN North America |
Tony Waterston, MD FRCPCH | International Society for Social Pediatrics and Child Health |
Dr Christine Magendie | PCP |
Dr Dr Seth Christopher Yaw Appiah | Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana |
Jeffrey Goldhagen | International Society for Social Pediatrics and Child Health |
Dr Lucy Reynolds | International Society for Social Paediatrics and Child Health |
Suné Greeff | Eastern Cape Department of Health |
Jenny Wright | Milk Matters |
Lebogang Ramafoko | Tekano Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity |
Scott Drimie | Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University |
Delena Strydom | IBCLC – Panorama Breastfeeding Clinic |
Koketso Moeti | amandla.mobi |
Judy Kirkwood | IBCLC and Midwife, Developer of the The Best Start Feeding Initiative. Shark
Latch – breastfeeding technique (patent and TM) |
Nicolette Henney | Dietitian |
Tobie Muller | IBCLC, La Leche League Leader South Africa |
Hettie Grove | SACLC |
Julia Gane | La Leche League Leader South Africa, Physiotherapist |
Prof Neil McKerrow | Paediatrics & Child Health, KZN |
Carol Browne | Independent nutrition consultant |
Anna Shevel | Good Food Network |
Aadielah Maker Diedericks | Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance |
Prof Uta Lehmann | Director, School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape |
Prof Nicola Christofides | School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand |
Dr Tanya Ruder | Division of Community Paediatrics, University of the Witwatersrand |
Dr Anri Manderson | The Hoedspruit Hub, Limpopo |
Alison Baker | South African Certified Lactation Consultant |
Dr Nandi Siegfried | Chief Specialist Scientist, SA Medical Research Council |
Tanya Thomas | LLL Leader South Africa |
Leana Habeck IBCLC | The Breastfeeding Clinic |
Brenda Pierce | IBCLC |
Dr Nanette Jolly | Medical Doctor, IBCLC, La Leche League Leader South Africa |
Ana Frawley | Lactation Consultant |
Barbara Chambers | IBCLC, CFT |
Lynn Shier | IBCLC, LACSA, Midwife |
Pauleen Nelson | IBCLC, LACSA, Midwife |
Dr Nadine Harker | Specialist Scientist, SAMRC |
Mervyn Abrahams | National Department of Health, SA |
Alan Rosenberg | South African Organic Sector Organization |
Dr Christiane Horwood | Centre for Rural Health, UKZN |
Lynette Smit | SACLC, IBCLC, CFT |
Liezel Engelbrecht | Dietitian |
Melissa Zwart | SACLC |
Kari Oosthuizen | SLT & LLL representative |
Nicole Meyer | La Leche League Leader South Africa |
Lenore Spies | Public Health Nutrition Consultant |
Maya Bhardwaj | University of Pretoria |
Zani Smith | Dietitian & SACLC |
Dr Michelle De Jong | University of the Western Cape |
Ulla Walmisley | University of the Western Cape |
Claire Moffatt | SACLC |
Dorle Verrinder | RD IBCLC |
Lindie Pitt | Doula |
Katinka Fourie | IBCLC |
Carey Haupt | RD SACLC MSc(Med) |
Dr Khaleed Sayed | MBChB, Dip of Obs |
Dr Natasha Ramjee | MO in Paediatrics, Mowbray Maternity Hospital |
Ceferino Cenizo | Earth And Man Foundation |
Claire Bracher | M.Sc nursing RN. RM. IBCLC |
Luyanda Majija | Communication Manager, Vital Strategies |
Anna Coutsoudis | Professor Emeritus, School of Clinical Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal,
Durban |
Ann Behr | National Department of Health |
Melissa Whitson | |
Simone fink | Doula, Yoga Teachers trainer, Bcom |
Cristel Cloete | Birth & Bereavement Doula |
Jean Ridler | IBCLC, RM, RN |
Dr Surya Ebrahim | Mowbray Maternity Hospital |
Sandy Bayman | WOMBS Doula |
Irene Bourquin | WOMBS Doula Trainer, Registered Nurse/Midwife |
Amanda Neito | La Leche League Leader, South Africa, WOMBS Birth and Postpartum Doula |
Lizl Dunn | WOMBS Doula, Breastfeeding Counselor |
Pamela Wilment | La Leche League Leader, South Africa, WOMBS Doula |
Dr Vanessa Farr | Environmental Humanities South, University of Cape Town |
Laura Sayce IBCLC | IBCLC |
Dr Sharon Nyatsanza | National Council Against Smoking |
Sithabile Shobowale | WOMBS DOULA |
Jane Pitt | IBCLC – SOUTH AFRICA |
Samantha Crompton | RN, SACLC – The Baby Lady SA |
Adriano Cattaneo | Epidemiologist (retired), Trieste, Italy |
Bronwyn Balcomb, RD (SA), IBCLC | Registered Dietitian, South Africa |
Anneleen De Keukelaere | People’s Health Movement South Africa |
David Pienaar | |
Dr Max Kroon | Paediatrician, UCT |
Ronel Sorgenfrei | Registered Dietitian, South Africa |
Vongani Mkhabele | Registered Nutritionist, South Africa |
Michael Hendricks | Paediatrician, UCT |
Vanessa Black | Biowatch South Africa |
Marion Stevens | |
Nikki Schaay | School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape |
Anton Delport | School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape |
Brittany Kesselman | Society, Work & Politics Institute (SWOP), WIts University |
Prof Susan Fawcus | Department Obsterics and Gynaecology, University Cape Town |
Manya van Ryneveld | School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape |
Estelle Wasserfall | ADSA, WOMBS doula |
Prof Minette Coetzee | Children’s Nursing Development Unit, UCT Department of Paediatrics and
Child Health |
Dr Hazel Bradley | School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape |
Andrea Amos | Children’s Nursing Development Unit – Department of paeds and child
health, UCT |
Prof Rachel Wynberg | Department of Environmental and Geographical Science, UCT |
Angela Leonard | Children’s Nursing Development Unit, UCT Department of Paediatrics and
Child Health |
Angelika Peczak | HEALA |
Prof Nick Spencer | International Society for Social Pediatrics and Child Health (ISSOP) |
Florian Kroll | DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Food Security; UWC Institute for Poverty,
Land and Agrarian Studies |
Russell Rensburg | Rural Health Advocacy (RHAP) |
Zolile Mlisana | Retired paediatrician |
Emeritus Professor Marian Jacobs | UCT Department of Paediatrics and Child Health |
Katinka Musavaya – IBCLC | IBCLC – Maternal and Childhealth Zimbabwe |
Prof Ashraf Hassen Coovadia | Academic Head of Paeds Wits University |
Dr Nomlindo Makubalo | DCST Paediatrician Eastern Cape |
Beatrix Callard | APN, RN, Windhoek Namibia |
Thandi Puoane | Emeritus Professor |
Prof Bruno Losch | Institute for Social Development, University of the Western Cape / DSI-NRF
Centre of Excellence in Food Security / Cirad, France |
Prof Diane Cooper | Extraordinary Professor, School of Public Health, University of the Western
Cape |
Prof Stephen Devereux | Institute for Social Development, University of the Western Cape / DSI-NRF
Centre of Excellence in Food Security / IDS Sussex, UK |
Dr Simon Lewin | South African Medical Research Council and Norwegian Institute of Public
Health |
Lisanne du Plessis | Division of Human Nutrition, Department of Global Health, Faculty of
Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University |
Marcus Solomon | National Coordinator Children’s Resource Centre |
Rifqah Roomaney | PhD intern, SAMRC
|
Richard Matzopoulos
| Burden of Disease Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council
|
Maurice Smithers
| Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance in SA (SAAPA SA)
|
Dr Edward Nicol
| Burden of Disease Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council
|
Carole Dobrich
| RN, IBCLC, International Institute of Human Lactation Inc.
|
Jennifer Welch
| IBCLC International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
|
Dale Hansson, RN, CFHN
| BFHI Lead Assessor, Lactation Consultant
|
Janelle Maree
| Director, Breastfeeding Advocacy Australia
|
Dr Magdalena Whoolery
| MCH-IYCF Consultant and IBFAN Member
|
Prof Sharon Fonn
| Wits School of Public Health
|
Ateca Kama
| Chief Dietitian & Nutritionist, Ministry of Health and Medical Services, FIJI
|
Prof Alice Nte
| Department of Paediatrics, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
|
Milton Semenekane
| South African Medical Research Council
|
Noloyiso Matiwane
| North-West University
|
Hassan Mahomed
| Division of Health Systems and Public Health, Dept of Global Health, Stellenbosch University
|
Jane Simmonds
| South African Medical Research Council
|
Dikoloti Morewane
| Botswana Breastfeeding Association
|
Jane Joubert
| South African Medical Research Council
|
Dr Jane Battersby | UCT
|
Mr. Phillip Mokoena
| Global Health Advocacy Incubator
|
Makoma Bopape
| University of Limpopo
|
Maria van der Merwe
| Independent public health and nutrition consultant
|
Bill Jeffery
| Centre for Health Science and Law
|
Dr Anam Nyembezi
| Senior Lecturer, School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape
|
Tara Callow
| Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, MSN, CRNP USA
|
Prof Di Gray
| UCT Department of Paediatrics and Child Health
|
Ravi Ram
| Madhira Institute & PHM Kenya
|
Sarah Motha
| Umphakatsi Peace Ecovillage
|
Ronel Beukes
| Division of Human Nutrition, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University
|
Petronell Kruger
| Public health lawyer and researcher at PRICELESS
|
Denis Joseph Bukenya
| Human Rights Research Documentation Center (HURIC)
|
Jamiru Mugalu
| People’s Health Movement Uganda
|
Dr Phumza Nongena
| UCT Department of Paediatrics
|
Prof Yousuf Vawda
| UKZN School of Law
|
Dr Natisha Dukhi
| Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)
|
Ms Bongekile P. Mabaso
| Registered Nutritionist, PhD Candidate at UCT, School of Management Studies
|
Prof Salim S. Abdool Karim
| Director: CAPRISA
|
Laurie Schowalter
| HEALA
|
Patti Rundall
| Baby Milk Action, IBFAN Global Council
|
Sam Waterhouse
| Womxn and Democracy Initiative
|
Dr Gwen Norton
| La Leche League Leader
|
Nadine Nannan
| Specialist scientist, SAMRC
|
Duduzile Mkhize
| |
Nomajoni Ntombela
| IBFAN Africa |
Dr Irena Zakarija-Grković
| Croatian Association of Lactation Consultants; University of Split School of Medicine, Croatia
|
Nomajoni Ntombela
| |
Nophiwe Job
| Registered Nutritionist
|
Sasha Stephenson
| Section27
|
Sally Raine
| La Leche League Leader South Africa
|
Prof Julia Goedecke
| Non-Communicable Diseases Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council |
Public Health Association of South Africa | |
Rural Health Advocacy Project | |
HEALA | |
Stuart Gillespie | Non-resident senior fellow, IFPRI |
Rene Williams | Retreat Feeding Initiative feeding community and serving to uplift those in need. Independent non Gov |
Shireen Marks
| Retreat Feeding Community Worker exposed daily to mothers and children dealing with affordability issues regarding feeding
|
Colleen Brickles | Retreat Feeding Assistant working with kids feeding daily |
Dr Anna Herforth | Independent researcher |
Ralph Hamann | University of Cape Town |
Aviva Tugendhaft | SAMRC Centre for Health Economics and Decision Science, PRICELESS SA, Wits School of Public Health |
Dr Thandi Wessels | District Paediatrician, Western Cape Dept Health, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Stellenbosch University |
Prof Linda Richter | Distinguished Professor, DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Human Development, University of the Witwatersrand |