NEWS
Can you help the Bambisanani Partnership Change Lives?
Funding Request for 2026
As we approach the Bambisanani Partnership’s 20th Anniversary, we are preparing for our most ambitious year yet. None of our work is possible without the generosity of people like you. If you can support us —or share this request with someone who might — we would be deeply grateful.
Background:
The Bambisanani Partnership is a multi-award-winning UK charity founded in 2006 between St Mary’s School (Menston) and Mnyakanya High School (KwaZulu-Natal). Entirely volunteer-run, we use the power of sport to advance education, health, leadership, and global citizenship.
Today, over 60 schools, colleges and universities in both countries work together through Bambisanani. More than 34,000 young people have participated in our various programmes and projects.
We work in one of the most deprived regions of South Africa, where unemployment exceeds 40% and HIV/AIDS rates are among the highest in the world. Our partnership model—bambisanani, meaning working hand in hand—ensures that all projects are co-created with local communities and co-funded by South African partners. With no paid staff or premises, 98% of all donations directly fund frontline work.
Our work has been recognised globally, including at the Vatican’s Sport for All Summit and the International Olympic Academy. We were named International Sport and Physical Education Charity of the Year in 2023 and 2024.
Why We Need Your Help in 2026
Next year, 40 young volunteers from St Mary’s School, the University of Leeds and Newcastle College will travel to South Africa to help deliver and expand our programmes. They have already raised £143,000 to fund their own volunteering costs. We are now seeking £30,000 to support ten priority, community-driven projects on the ground in South Africa. Each initiative will be matched by contributions from local partners, ensuring long-term impact and preventing dependency.
Priority Projects for 2026
(Any support for the projects below would make an immediate difference.)
Cycling to Success – £9,000 to train 5,000 children a year in riding and bike maintenance (matched by KZN Cycling).
Thembinfundo Special School Water & Sanitation – £7,000 to bring clean water, toilets and washing facilities to all 200 learners.
Thembinfundo Sport – £1,000 for adapted PE and sensory equipment.
International Athletics Challenge – £1,000 to equip 1,000 learners for athletics for the first time.
Leadership Through Sport – £1,000 to train 100 young sports leaders.
Literacy Programme – £1,000 for 2,000 books for rural primary schools.
University Bursaries – £2,000 to allow two exceptional students to complete teacher training.
South African Study Visits to the UK – £2,000 to support life-changing exchange opportunities.
School Shoes – £1,000 to provide 650 pairs of durable shoes for children in need.
Ubuntu Arts Project – £1,000 to launch a collaborative arts-through-sport programme across both countries.
Administration Costs – £4,000
As a volunteer-run charity with no employees, this small sum ensures smooth delivery of every project above.
How to Support Us
Donations—large or small—have real impact, especially as most projects unlock matching funding from South Africa. A one-off or monthly gift can be made here:
https://cafdonate.cafonline.org/19318
I would be delighted to provide further information or meet to discuss our work and ambitions for this milestone year.
With sincere thanks,
David
David Geldart, Founder/CEO
The Bambisanani Partnership (UK Registered Charity 1163461)
www.bambisananipartnership.org
d.geldart@bambisananipartnership.org
Our mailing address is:
The Bambisanani Partnership
St. Mary's Menston
Bradford Road
Menston, West Yorkshire LS296AE
United Kingdom
Outstanding year of impact for the Bambisanani Partnership
2025 was a year of strong progress and meaningful impact for the Bambisanani Partnership. Working together with partners and communities, the Partnership continued to turn shared vision into action delivering initiatives that make a real difference in people’s lives.
Throughout the year, Bambisanani focussed on programmes that responded to community-identified needs while supporting long term growth and resilience. By placing communities at the centre of its work, the Partnership ensured that initiatives were relevant, inclusive and grounded in local realities. This approach strengthened trust and encouraged shared ownership of outcomes.
Collaboration remained the foundation of Bambisanani’s success in 2025. By bringing together diverse partners around a common purpose, the Partnership improved coordination, used resources more effectively, and expanded its overall reach. This collective effort enabled greater impact than any single organisation could achieve alone.
Volunteers, Supporters and Partners of the Bambisanani Partnership have been praised by the charity’s CEO, David Geldart, for their outstanding dedication and impact in 2025.
Over the course of the past 19 years, the Leeds based charity has over 34,000 young people from both South Africa and the UK in its various programmes and projects using the power of sport to promote education, health, global citizenship. The partnership which started with St. Mary’s and Mnyakanya now includes 60 schools, colleges and universities. This year saw no less than 7,515 young people from both counties involved. The inspirational work of this small charity, run entirely by volunteers, has gained global recognition.
Over a three-month period in the summer 35 student volunteers and 10 members of staff fromSt. Mary’s School, Menston; The University of Leeds and Newcastle College worked with 32 different schools and 3,589 learners in the remote rural Nkandla region of KwaZulu-Natal. This included 7 new schools being added to the various programmes this year. Primary and secondary school learners participated in a range of activities including Sports Festivals, Sports Coaching sessions, Cycling Clinics, Leadership Programmes, Literacy Festivals and wider academic curricular and extracurricular activities. Students involved in the volunteer programme recorded a 39% increase across ten key graduate employability skills.
Throughout the year the charity’s pioneering Cycling partnership with KZN Cycling trained 3,490 young people how to ride and maintain bikes. This work has now progressed to include various Cycling Competitions and a Talent Identification Programme. The Cycling programme reached the milestone of involving 10,000 children this year since the initiative began; an achievement that was recognised in the South African Parliament for ‘transforming lives and communities’
Supported by a range of Bambisanani based interventions the significant hard work by teachers and students saw Mnyakanya High School achieve its best academic results and significantly increased enrolment. The school has gone from a Matriculation examination pass rate of less than 20% a few years ago to over 90% this year.
Throughout the year 346 children from 13 UK and South African primary schools joined together to participate in the Bambisanani International Athletics Challenge.
Young people are not ‘just’ participants in Bambisanani programmes they also lead them. This is clear in the partnerships Leadership Through Sport courses where young people from both countries work together to deliver sports programmes to the wider community and in our Cycling programme but also in other ways. This year St. Mary’s student Leona Vaduatha and Mnyakanya student Bayanda Gcaba have both had inspirational work published about the Bambisanani Partnership. Two years ago, a then 8-year-old Althaea Dickenson from York started collecting books for South African primary schools on hearing that they could not participate in World Book Day. This work has continued this year with over 2,000 books collected and distributed to schools. Her initiative has been praised not only by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education but also her local Member of Parliament, Keir Mather.
This year saw Bambisanani volunteer Poppy Bhengu from South Africa gain her PhD in Philosophy of Sport and Exercise Science. Poppy is an outstanding role model who overcame many challenges to achieve her success. Dr Bhengu will be an inspiration to many young people involved in Bambisanani programmes.
Work with partners and the local community to bring clean water and sanitation to Thembinfundu Special School has continued. This is a major undertaking that has the capacity to transform the school. Progress is slow but significant; a Bore Hole has been reinstated; Water Storage Tanks are now in place and some plumbing into the school has been possible. The situation has improved but is still deplorable; the partnership remains committed to working with others to provide facilities that the children deserve.
Yet again this year the charity has been recognised for its commitment and contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals 3, 4, 5, 6, 10 and 17 namely Good Health and Wellbeing, Quality Education, Gender Equality, Clean Water and Sanitation, Reduced Inequalities and Partnership for Goals. It is the experience of the partnership that these are very important issues for young people and that its international collaborative encounters and activities significantly enhance their knowledge, understanding and motivation to become proactive global citizens who wish to create a kinder, more equitable and sustainable future.
The University of Leeds received a Global Impact Award for their pioneering work in South Africa developing our Cycling programme and Leadership through Sport initiative in primary schools. The work of the partnership has been further recognised this year in several journals, the prestigious Trialogue Business Handbook and in a BBC interview.
Recognising, rewarding and celebrating the achievement of young people through annual awards is an important aspect of the charity’s work. During 2025 17 special awards were presented to students at Mnyakanya High School, Ntolwane Primary School, Vumanhlamvu Primary School and Thembinfundo Special School.
The Bambisanani Partnership works with, and coordinates, a range of other charities, organisations and businesses with aligning values. A great example of this this year was working with the UK charity Kit Aid who donated over 1000 football shirts for schools in South Africa. The Shipping company the Cardinal Partnership transported these to South Africa and also donated over 1,000 sports shirts. In South Africa these shirts were distributed by long term Bambisanani collaborators, Eshowe Rotary Club and the Norwegian charity Zulufadder.
During the year significant amounts of money were raised and donated by Bambisanani volunteers, institutions and supporters. Sponsored events saw supporters walk, run, climb, row, swim and cycle some incredible distances to raise much needed funds. Bambisanani activities could not happen without this generosity and tremendous effort.
With no employees or premises all money donated and raised goes to fund front line projects and activities. Furthermore, it is the policy of the charity always to seek a percentage of funding for every project from South African sources and indeed only for projects that have been identified by local communities. The partnership remains an incredibly lean and efficient organisation committed to respectful and sustainable development.
David Geldart was full of praise for the Bambisanani team, “This has been an outstanding year of activity and impact, and it simply could not happen without our small army of volunteers, supporters and sponsors from both countries. They are wonderful selfless people who are making a real difference in the world. Behind all the impressive statistics from this year are real people whose lives have been positively impacted. Our work is not about charity or ‘rescue’ it is about collaboration and mutual respect. All our work is driven by the schools and communities in South Africa that we work with. Our aim is to develop capacity and empower the communities in which we work not to create a dependency culture. Our work has always striven to create genuine ‘two-way’ learning opportunities for young people from both countries. I have nothing but praise for our team members in both countries who make all this happen and know that their focus is now firmly on 2026 and making that our most successful year to date.”
Overall, 2025 stands out as a successful and impactful year for the Bambisanani Partnership. The progress achieved reflects the dedication of partners, community members, and supporters who believe in the power of working together. As Bambisanani looks ahead, it does so with confidence, strengthened relationships, and a continued commitment to creating positive and lasting change.
Some Bambisanani Highlights from 2025
The Bambisanani Partnership Annual Awards 2025
The Bambisanani Partnership Annual Awards are always a cause for great anticipation and excitement. This year 17 awards were presented across four schools in South Africa.
At Mnyakanya High School 8 Awards were presented to students by the Bambisanani team, Miss Charlotte Wood and Mr Patrick Rogozinski from St. Mary’s School, Menston and Matt and Chloe Crooks, Trustees of the Jordan Sinnott Foundation during this summer’s visit to South Africa by student volunteers:
The John Paul II Foundation for Sport Sportswoman of the Year Award: Phumzile Nala
The John Paul II Foundation for Sport: Sportsman of the Year Award: Lwandile Zuma
The John Paul II Foundation for Sport: True Spirit Award was presented: Nomvelo Zondi
The John Paul II Foundation for Sport: Helping Others Achieve their Potential: Mxolisi Hlongwa
Laurie McCauley Most Improved Footballer Award: Lwazi Mchunu
Laurie McCauley Creative Writing Award: Fundiswa Magwaza
Sibonelo Magwaza Award for Outstanding Leadership: Sfundo Myeza
Thembile Ndlovu was presented with the Heather Read Award for Outstanding Resilience. Thembile is in her final year of school and was presented with the award because despite losing both her parents and having no one to support her financially, Thembile has constantly attended school and worked relentlessly on her studies to hopefully achieve her dream of a career in pharmaceuticals.
The John Paul II Foundation for Sport Sportswoman of the Year Award: Phumzile Nala
The John Paul II Foundation for Sport: Sportsman of the Year Award: Lwandile Zuma
The John Paul II Foundation for Sport: True Spirit Award was presented: Nomvelo Zondi
The John Paul II Foundation for Sport: Helping Others Achieve their Potential: Mxolisi Hlongwa
Laurie McCauley Most Improved Footballer Award: Lwazi Mchunu
Laurie McCauley Creative Writing Award: Fundiswa Magwaza
Sibonelo Magwaza Award for Outstanding Leadership: Sfundo Myeza
Thembile Ndlovu was presented with the Heather Read Award for Outstanding Resilience
Awards were also presented at Ntolwane Primary School which has been involved with the partnership from the onset:
Sportswoman of the Year Award: Ayanda Ndlovu
Sportsman of the Year Award: Sibani Biyela
Sports Leader of the Year Award: Anele Zuma
Three special awards were presented to students at Thembimfundo Special School. These awards were presented at the school in memory of former St. Mary’s teacher, Matt Harvey, who loved his time volunteering in South Africa. Matt made a real impression on the staff and students at Thembimfundo, his annual awards are perfect as they remind the Thembimfundo community and the Bambisanani team of the joy and fun we all shared as a result of Mr Harvey’s leadership. Mrs Catherine Chattoe, Bambisanani Partnership coordinator at St. Mary’s presented the awards.
The Matt Harvey Award for Sportswoman of the Year was presented to Amanda Manqele
The Matt Harvey Award for Sportsman of the Year was presented to Manqoba Xulu
The Matt Harvey Award for Sports Leader of the Year was presented to Aphelele Zulu
At Vumanhlamvu Primary School three annual awards were presented in memory of former St. Mary’s student and great Bambisanani supporter Jordan Sinnott.
Jordan Sinnott Sportswomen of the Year: Sinothando Maduna
Jordan Sinnott Sports Leader of the Year: Mthembu Ayabonga
Jordan Sinnott Sportsman of the Year: Simphilele Ngonyama
Sinothando said "I feel like a world champion to hold the Jordan Sinnott award and l am very happy to win it this year. l want to play for world big netball teams one day so this award encourages me to work hard on netball. I always listened to what the coach says and play according to her instructions and follow the rules. I do the same in the class."
Simphilele added "I don’t have the words to express how l feel to be presented with the Jordan Sinnott award, an overseas award is something great to me. l worked hard for this award from the beginning of the year. I also played in the Matt Crook (Jordan Sinnott's friend) Soccer Tournament and won a Barcelona soccer jersey.”
Sports Leader Mthembu "I am very happy to be a winner of this beautiful Jordan Sinnott award this year. I played with confidence and dedicated myself to each game we play. I am also disciplined on the field and encourages my teammates to do the same. I want to present my school in other soccer tournaments. I was so happy to play in the Matt Crooks Soccer Tournament."
Vumanhlamvu School Award winners
Mrs Chattoe concluded, “The presentations of our special awards is always a favourite part of our work. The presentations are about remembering people, honouring their lives as well as celebrating young people’s success. We especially remember Laurie, Sbonelo, Heather, Matt and Jordan and love how their memory lives on and shines a light on the thoroughly deserving recipients of the awards.
Work of the Bambisanani Partnership highlighted in prestigious business publication
It is a great honour for the Bambisanani Partnership to have been recently featured in one of the world’s most prestigious business and society publications – the Trialogue Business and Society Handbook 2025.
The Trialogue ‘Business in Society Handbook’ is the leading business publication in South Africa, providing reliable data and thought leadership that contributes to a deepened understanding of, and impact in, development. The Handbook responds to the increasingly holistic role of business in society, encapsulating but not bound by the concept of Corporate Social Investment (CSI).
The Trialogue Business in Society Handbook 2025 edition centres on the theme ‘The power of measurement’ in a dynamic landscape where accountability and effectiveness are paramount, the Handbook explores the critical role of monitoring and impact measurement in enhancing corporate social investment and responsible business practices in South Africa. It also reflects a strong research focus, presenting not only findings of extensive primary research with companies and nonprofit organisations, but also a round-up of relevant local and global research on development and responsible business.
The sustained positive impact of the Bambisanani Partnership for over 19 years has created considerable worldwide interest in its philosophy and methodologies. Dr Fiona Zerbst from Trialogue has worked closely with Bambisanani Founder and CEO, David Geldart over the last year to learn more about what makes the partnership’s approach to Monitoring and Evaluation so effective.
Please see link here to Bambisanani related extracts from the 2025 Handbook
“I want to tell you how invaluable I find the research conducted for the Trialogue Business in Society Handbook. Every year I gain new insights. Its truly an insightful, useful publication.” Angela Abrahams, Executive Head, Vodacom Foundation
To obtain a Free downloadable version of this outstanding Handbook please follow this link:
https://trialogue.co.za/businessinsocietyhandbook/
Special Christmas messages shared between Bambisanani Founding Schools
There is a very special connection between St. Mary’s School, Menston in the UK and Mnyakanya School from South Africa. For the past 19 years the two schools have pioneered ways of ‘working together and learning together’ for the benefit of both communities that have gained international acclaim.
Please see the messages and videos below that highlight this very special relationship. The St. Mary’s video message is read by Chris Jose who visited South Africa this year and the Mnyakanya message is read by Bayanda Gcaba who visited Leeds last year.
Dear Friends at St. Mary’s Menston,
Warm greetings from the sun-kissed playgrounds of Mnyakanya High School in Kwa Zulu Natal.
This Christmas, we want to thank you for the countless moments of shared learning, laughter and cultural exchange that have brightened our classrooms school over the past 20 years. From shared art projects that side by side have decorated our school and community with Leeds’ iconic skyline and South African sunrises, to the spirited sports and music that we have shared that remind us how small our world truly is when curiosity leads the way.
May the holiday season bring you peace, comfort and a touch of South African sunshine to warm the chilly December evenings. We hope the festive lights twinkle as brightly as the stars and that every bite of mince pie is accompanied by the sweet taste of our shared memories.
Here's to another 20 years of friendship, discovery and crossing oceans.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas, a happy New Year and a 2026 that is filled with success, health and countless reasons to smile.
Warm regards
The Mnyakanya community
Kwa Zulu Natal
South Africa
Dear friends.
As this wonderful time of year approaches once again our thoughts and prayers are with each and every one of you, your families and the whole school community and that of Thembimfundo Special School.
We give thanks for the 20 years of partnership, fellowship, learning and shared faith that we have enjoyed and will continue to enjoy with a united resolve to move into the new year with even more enthusiasm and determination.
May the Holy Family watch over this family and shower you with many blessings.
Happy Advent. Happy Christmas. Happy New Year.
With love from all at St Mary’s, Menston.
Faith in the Bambisanani Partnership
It is 19 years ago since David Geldart proposed an ambitious partnership ‘of mutual benefit and shared responsibility’ between St. Mary’s School. Menston and Mnyakanya School from one of the most challenging regions of KwaZul-Natal in South Africa.
Using the power of sport and education this pioneering collaborative known as The Bambisanani Partnership (Bambisanani being the Zulu word meaning ‘working hand’) has grown to now include more than 60 schools, colleges and universities in both countries. Since 2006 no less than 34,000 young people have engaged in the partnerships various projects and programmes. The Bambisanani story with its remarkable impact has been highlighted at international conferences throughout the world including at the Sport for All Summit at the Vatican and in Greece for the International Olympic Association. The very special relationship between St. Mary’s and Mnyakanya remains at the heart of partnership.
Margaret Hattersley, Headteacher from St. Mary’s and the Bambisanani Partnership, Vice Chair said:
Margaret Hattersley
‘The Bambisanani Partnership sits at the heart of life at St Mary’s, Menston and has done over the last 19 years. Our school’s Mission recognises that the journey towards human flourishing, self-discovery and personal growth takes time and exposure to unique opportunities to draw out our many God-given gifts and talents. Since the formation of the Bambisanani Partnership, so many St Mary’s students and staff have travelled to South Africa as part of the partnership which has contributed to this sense of common mission and purpose. The experiences and international connections have enabled our young people to see the world beyond our school grounds, strengthen their leadership skills, and shape them as an individual so they can contribute to the common good of society and the beauty of the world. The friendships forged, ‘working hand in hand’, have inspired our young people at St Mary’s and in South Africa in so many different ways. For some it has inspired their future career choices, for others it has created lasting friendships across nations and for others it has sparked a charitable initiative. Whatever the personal or community impact, the partnership is deeply valued and cherished by us all as it changes lives for the better and reminds us that we are all in communion with each other whatever our background or personal story. At St Mary’s, we often reflect on the words of Nelson Mandela, ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world’. The Bambisanani Partnership truly does enable this to happen through the power of sport and human connectivity.’
Dr. Poppy Bhengu
Dr. Poppy Bhengu, Bambisanani Volunteer from South Africa added:
One of the most beautiful outcomes of this partnership is the way it brings to life the principle of Ubuntu, “I am because we are.” While South Africans often speak of Ubuntu, this partnership shows it in action. It is humbling to witness schools in the UK rally behind South African children, not only by providing resources, but by standing in solidarity with them. Their actions reflect Proverbs 19:17: “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward them for what they have done.”
Our faith teaches us that love is not merely a spoken word; it is demonstrated through compassion, generosity, and action. The Bambisanani Partnership embodies this truth. It shows our children, and our communities, that we are not forgotten, that God’s love can be seen and felt through the kindness of others. It reassures us that while we may not always understand God’s plan, He often uses people, even from across oceans, to bring healing, encouragement, and light.
In the small acts of kindness, in the shared games on dusty fields, in the heartfelt moments of connection between strangers, the message is clear: God lives, God cares, and we are all His instruments. The Bambisanani Partnership, for us, is not only a partnership between nations, but also a partnership grounded in the spirit of Christ, where love is made visible.”
With its 20th anniversary nearing, this small charity’s team of over 80 volunteers is dedicated to expanding opportunities for young people from both countries to collaborate and learn together in the ubuntu spirit of solidarity and shared humanity. The charity brings together people of different nations, background, colour, and creed, they all bring belief and faith through actions in a shared mission to make the world a better place. This powerful and harmonious collective is making a real difference in the most challenging of circumstances.
Bambisanani Partnership praised in the National Assembly of the South African Parliament
In a recent speech in the National Assembly of the South African Parliament MP, Mr WM Thring recognised and praised the work of the Bambisanani Partnership’s pioneering Cycling initiative and wider impact of the charity.
“…that the House notes the pioneering collaboration between the Bambisanani Partnership, KZN Cycling, University of Leeds and the KZN Department of Education has reached an extraordinary milestone in teaching its 10,000th young person how to ride and maintain a bicycle …teachers and community leaders have praised the programme for empowering children and congratulates the Bambisanani Partnership on this venture that has empowered entire communities and acknowledges that the collaboration between St. Mary’s School in Menston, near Leeds and Mnyakanya School in KZN has now grown into an internationally recognised model of partnership and development that the ACDP and this House must applaud and encourage so that it is rolled out throughout the nation…”
For further information about the Bambisanani Cycling Partnership also see:
Pioneering Initiative Empowers 10,000 Young People Through Cycling (10/10/2025)
Partnership with KZN Cycling goes from strength to strength (28/04/2025)
The University of Leeds in South Africa: Exceptional work from a remarkable team (16/09/2025)
Partnership welcomes new Trustee
The Bambisanani Partnership has recently appointed Peter Iliff as a new Trustee to help run the charity.
Peter Iliff
With a rich career in leadership across both healthcare and commercial settings, Peter brings a wealth of experience and a genuine passion for using sport, education and leadership as tools for positive change. He is currently on a secondment programme funded by NHS England, developing an apprenticeship pathway for established clinicians to enhance their knowledge and improve the level of care provided for NHS patients.
As a qualified orthotist, Peter has held senior roles in both the private and not-for-profit sectors, with a strong track record in managing programmes that foster partnership and optimise team performance. His expertise spans business planning, governance oversight and marketing across the UK. In addition, Peter has many years of experience coaching and developing young players within grassroots sport. He is deeply committed to making a difference in communities through learning, collaboration and empowerment.
Peter said, “I’m honoured to join the Bambisanani Partnership and look forward to working alongside its dedicated volunteers, partner schools and students in the UK and South Africa. I’m inspired by the way the partnership uses sport to nurture leadership, teamwork and educational opportunities. I’m excited to contribute my experience and energy to help the organisation deepen its impact and explore new opportunities, so that the number of young people involved, in both the UK and KZN, continues to increase.”
David Geldart, Founder and CEO of the charity added: ”We are absolutely delighted to welcome Peter to the team. Organisations tend to be either going forward or going backwards. Peter has a proven track record of impact and brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm that will help us push on to achieve even more in the future, not least to deliver our most ambitious programme to date in 2026.”
Run entirely by volunteers the Bambisanani Partnership is a multi-award-winning charity that has gained international acclaim for its work using the power of sport and education to connect young people in the UK and South Africa. Over the past 19 years, the partnership has engaged more than 34,000 young people and 60 educational institutions from both countries in its various projects and programmes.
Peter will join the existing Board of Trustees of David Geldart, Barbara Pounder, Darren Beardsley, Brogan O’Connor, Margaret Hattersley and Richard Giles.
Three memorable Bambisanani Partnership volunteering visits to South Africa in 2025
This year has seen 35 students and 10 members of staff, from St. Mary’s School, Menston; The University of Leeds and Newcastle College volunteer in South Africa as part of the Bambisanani Partnership. Over a three-month period, they delivered a range of needs led Bambisanani projects and programmes to 3,679 young people in 32 different schools including 7 schools that were completely new to the initiative. With the objective to: ‘To use sport & education to inspire, engage and develop young people and communities in both countries’ the visits have been a remarkable success in terms of both purpose and impact.
Each visit brought different strengths, fresh ideas and measurable impact to local schools and community projects, while giving both UK and South African students volunteers a hands-on, experience of cross-cultural learning.
St. Mary’s School: festival-style athletics and community learning
St. Mary’s returned to the Nkandla region with a group of student leaders and staff who organised the Bambisanani Schools’ International Athletics Challenge and community sports festivals. The St. Mary’s team led athletics events for multiple local primary schools, delivering coaching, officiating and leadership opportunities that engaged hundreds of young South African pupils. Beyond sport, the group ran literacy and early-years activities—visiting daycare centres and supporting reading sessions— bringing classroom skills into the community and reinforcing the Partnership’s “learning through sport” ethos. The visit was described as purposeful and hugely motivating for both visitors and hosts.
University of Leeds: cycling, girls’ programmes and award-winning delivery
The University of Leeds volunteer team built on several years of collaboration, focusing this year on cycling development and targeted programmes for girls. Their work linked into the Partnership’s emerging cycling hub initiatives — coaching local cycling sessions, supporting skill-building and discussing sustainability for future hubs — while also delivering leadership training and school-based sport sessions. The Leeds team’s impact was also recognised back home: their work with Bambisanani and the student volunteering programme (Gryphons Abroad) has been singled out in university awards and Partnership praise, underlining the quality and longevity of the Leeds–Bambisanani link.
Newcastle (Newcastle College): three weeks of sustained support and skills exchange
A group of students and staff from Newcastle completed a three-week placement in rural KwaZulu-Natal, part of their annual volunteering programme with the Partnership. Their visit combined sports coaching, classroom support and community outreach — from running inclusive coaching sessions and sports festivals to supporting literacy activities and mentoring local student leaders. Newcastle’s programme emphasised sustained presence: three weeks allowed relationships to develop, practical skills to be embedded, and local partners to co-design sessions that met immediate needs while planning for longer-term follow-up. The college reported that students returned inspired, better equipped for future careers and committed to ongoing fundraising and support.
“I have nothing but praise and admiration for the remarkable staff and students from St. Mary’s, University of Leeds, Newcastle College and all our partners in South Africa. Our needs led programmes in South Africa are making a real difference in the communities in which we work. Young people from both countries are working together and learning together in the most meaningful way. This is extremely difficult and challenging work but our team continues to respond providing the most powerful educational opportunities. Their commitment and enthusiasm know no bounds as all three institutions are now well underway in planning their 2026 visits to South Africa which will mark the 20th Anniversary of the partnership.”
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