The Spirit of Ubuntu: My Experience with the Bambisanani Partnership
Bayanda Gcaba
By Bayanda Gcaba, student at Mnyakanya High School, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
My journey with the Bambisanani Partnership has been one of the most powerful and inspiring experiences of my life. In 2024, I was given the opportunity as a student to represent Mnyakanya High School in South Africa during the exchange visit to the United Kingdom. This chance was not only an honour, but also a moment where I truly experienced the spirit of Ubuntu – “I am because we are.”
During my time at St Mary’s School, Menston, I was welcomed with kindness, warmth, and respect. The way students and teachers treated me showed me that even though we come from different countries, languages, and cultures, we are deeply connected as human beings. This spirit of Ubuntu guided my actions as I shared my own culture by teaching Zulu, participating in athletics, and building friendships that crossed borders.
Bayanda at the University of Leeds
One of the most important lessons I have learned from the Bambisanani Partnership is that it is not only South African students who benefit. The visits by UK students to Mnyakanya High School have had a great impact on our school and community. Their willingness to learn about our culture, to teach, and to share their experiences shows that the partnership is built on two-way learning. We teach each other, we learn from each other, and together we grow. This has reinforced for me the power of education when it is shared between equals, and the commitment to working together and learning together.
Another highlight of my journey with the Bambisanani Partnership has been the cycling programme led by the University of Leeds team at my school. Every year, they travel all the way to Mnyakanya to teach us cycling. For me, this has been an unforgettable opportunity — not only did I learn a new skill, but I also discovered the power of sport in connecting people. Sport breaks down barriers, creates joy, and unites people across cultures and backgrounds. The encouragement and laughter we shared during those sessions reminded me again of Ubuntu: we grow stronger when we support each other.
The Bambisanani Partnership has given me more than memories; it has given me purpose. I have learned that education is not just about learning in classrooms, but about building bridges between people, communities, and nations. Ubuntu teaches us that when we support each other, we all rise together.
This experience has inspired me to keep growing, to keep learning, and to keep living by the values of Ubuntu. My dream now is to continue my studies and pursue a career in the aviation industry, where I can combine my love for travel, communication and serving others with the spirit of Ubuntu that I have learned through this partnership. Whether through education or aviation, my hope is to always build bridges, connect people, and inspire unity across the world.
