Civic Honour for Bambisanani Partnership
A reception at the Civic Hall with the Lord Mayor of Leeds has celebrated 20 years of the Bambisanani Partnership.
The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Stephen Holroyd, presented a certificate of appreciation from the city to the charity’s founder, David Geldart at a special event that brought together civic leaders, students, teachers, lecturers, volunteers, supporters, sponsors and friends of the Bambisanani Partnership.
Run entirely by volunteers, the Leeds based charity has gained international acclaim for its work in bringing young people from the UK and South Africa together through sport and education. Its guiding principle is simple and powerful: working together and learning together.
What began as a collaboration between St. Mary’s School, Menston and Mnyakanya School, serving one of South Africa’s most deprived communities has grown to a partnership involving more than 60 schools, colleges and universities across both countries. Over the past 20 years more than 44,000 young people have participated in its programmes and projects.
The Partnership also continues Leeds long-standing friendship and special relationship with South Africa from the city’s proud history of anti apartheid campaigning, its welcoming of pioneering black footballers Gerry Francis, Albert Johanneson and Lucas Radebe , the Leeds - Durban partnership established in 1998 through to Nelson Mandela receiving the Freedom of the City in 2001.
Congratulations to all the Bambisanani team and everyone involved in the remarkable partnership. Here’s to the next 20 years of connection, learning and opportunity.
