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Cape Town - Earlier this week Discovery hosted its annual Discovery Leadership Summit, which aims to provide a platform in South Africa for industry leaders to share their stories.
Their football superstar and keynote speaker, David Beckham, made a much-anticipated appearance to talk about the work he’s doing for UNICEF.
Beckham, who has been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for the past decade, first got involved with UNICEF 15 years ago on a trip to Thailand with his former team, Manchester United.
According to the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star, “The number one thing that I am passionate about more than anything is the UNICEF work I do.”
The remarkable work that he’s done has inspired the ex-footballer to do even more, which led to the emergence last year and eventual launch this year of “7: The David Beckham UNICEF Fund”. This is Beckham’s personal commitment to helping children who need it most.
The concept was born when Beckham, who retired from the game in 2013, felt compelled to give something back.
Why '7'?
Because the No 7 was his team number while playing for Manchester United and England.
'7' also inspired 7 different initiatives and territories the “7: The David Beckham UNICEF Fund” will be focusing on. This includes Ebola, malnutrition and Aids.
Through '7' he will use his powerful voice to help create change for children around the world. There are millions of children who are suffering and dying unnecessarily as a result of hunger, disease, exploitation and the repercussions of natural disasters and war.
UNICEF helps find ways to ensure that more of the world's children are vaccinated, educated and protected by influencing laws and policies to help protect children. As a father of four, not only does Beckham understand the needs of children, but also greatly empathises with those children without parents and the basic necessities in life.
Beckham spoke about his previous visit to South Africa when he visited a township in Cape Town for abused women and children living with HIV/Aids, and how this inspired him to make HIV/Aids a focus point within the '7' initiative.
“People said to me you don’t have to do this, you can just continue being the ambassador for UNICEF and continue to do the work you’ve been doing, but I need to do more, I need to shine the light on many different situations around the world,” said the former England captain.
WATCH: David Beckham’s 10 years at UNICEF:
WATCH: 7: The David Beckham UNICEF Fund – How could 7 help children?
