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.

Awards were also presented at Ntolwane Primary School which has been involved with the partnership from the onset:

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.

At Vumanhlamvu Primary School three annual awards were presented in memory of former St. Mary’s student and great Bambisanani supporter Jordan Sinnott.

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."

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.

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.

Work of the Bambisanani Partnership highlighted in prestigious business publication