Bambisanani Partnership Ball is a Great Success
The Bambisanani Partnership charity proudly celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, and to celebrate this event on a spectacular Black-Tie Ball held in the Howard Suite at Headingley Stadium. Over the past 20 years, the charity has gained international acclaim for it pioneering work using the power of sport and education to bring young people together from the UK and South Africa to learn together.
More than 170 guests attended the event, including alumni, staff, sponsors, supporters and friends of the charity, coming together to celebrate two decades of life-changing partnership between both countries.
Adding to the significance of the occasion, special guests Logan Govender, Rajes Govender and Dr Poppy Bhengu travelled from South Africa to join the celebrations and share in this important milestone. Logan and Rajes have provided unprecedented support for the Bambisanani Partnership since its creation in 2006. Without their continued hard work and commitment, the partnership would not be where it is today having engaged over 44,000 young people from 63 educational institutions in a wide range of programmes. Dr Poppy Bhengu has supported in more recent years, attending this summer’s visit of the University of Leeds to KwaZulu-Natal and helping with vital research and development to support the partnerships multi-award-winning cycling initiative.
The evening proved to be a tremendous success, raising several thousand pounds to support the ongoing work of the Bambisanani Partnership. Guests enjoyed an unforgettable programme of entertainment, including performances from St. Mary's Bambisanani alumnus Joe Doonan and Year 9 St. Mary's student Rocco Hamill, whose musical talents were warmly received by all in attendance.
The event was expertly hosted by long-time Bambisanani supporter and professional event compère Shane Hamill, who guided guests through an evening filled with reflection, celebration and engaging fundraising activities. The celebrations continued late into the night, with a packed dance floor enjoying music from the event DJ.
Moving speeches were given during the evening from Founder of the partnership, David Geldart and Rajes and Logan Govender.
Rages Govender said, “Bambisanani means “working hand in hand” in Zulu, and I think that beautifully captures what this partnership is all about. For me, it also speaks to something that makes South Africa so special — Ubuntu, which means ‘I am because we are.’ Your well-being is tied to the well-being of the community around you. Compassion: It drives people to act with empathy, kindness, and mutual respect instead of individualism. It is the belief that we don’t walk through life on our own. We need one another, we learn from one another, and we lift one another up. And that is exactly what Bambisanani does. Through something as simple and joyful as sport, young people who might otherwise never have met come together, learn from one another, build confidence, and develop leadership. And perhaps, most importantly, they discover that the person on the other side of the field isn’t really so different from them after all.”
As the Bambisanani Partnership looks ahead to its next chapter, the evening provided an opportunity to reflect on twenty years of achievement and impact, while recognising the many individuals and organisations who have supported the charity's journey.
The Bambisanani Partnership would like to extend its sincere thanks to everyone who attended and helped make the evening such a memorable occasion. Special thanks also go to Wild Camper Vans and the University of Leeds for their generous support in sponsoring the event and helping deliver this landmark celebration.
The success of the evening was a fitting tribute to the incredible people, partnerships and shared experiences that have defined the Bambisanani story over the past twenty years, and a reminder that so much more is yet to come.
Special thanks to members of the Bambisanani team, Catherine Chattoe, Brogan O’Connor and Barbara Pounder for organising such an amazing event.
