Together Everyone Achieves More
One of the great strengths of the Bambisanani Partnership is the charity’s network of organisations, community groups and individuals from the UK and South Africa who are committed to working together to deliver needs led initiatives in some of the most remote and challenging rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal.
Over recent months a large shipment of sports kit, clothing, books and sanitary products that were donated in the UK has been distributed to various schools, nonprofit organisations and community groups in South Africa. Contained in over 80 large boxes and weighing over a ton, the goods were transported free of charge by long term Bambisanani supporters The Cardinal Group who also donated 2,000 sports shirts.
More than 2,000 football shirts were also provided by the charity Kit Aid run by Derrick Williams. Sanitary products and reading books were also donated by schools, companies and individuals. Bambisanani team members Barbara Pounder, Catherine Chattoe, Brogan O’Connor and David Farmer were responsible for the huge task of sourcing, storing and transporting the items in the UK. In South Africa the logistics and distribution were organised by long term Bambisanani friend, Nick Phillips from Eshowe Rotary Club and the nonprofit organisation of Zulufadder that focuses on education and sustainable projects for children and youth in South Africa.
Nick’s team then went into action sorting all the items and distributing them to locally led initiatives where they would have the greatest impact. Part of the team sorting the boxes were three ladies from Norway who were volunteering at Zulufadder: Janne Skarpeid Hermansen, Helle Rohrt and Gunn Skarpeid. The distribution team included Sivlia Hellesvik and Normvula Ngema from Zulufadder, Gugu Mhlongo from the Lutheran Mission in Ntumeni, Trevlyn Palframan a local Eshowe man active in rural support and Siyabonga Ngubane, PK Zondi and Mazet Langa from Mnyakanya High School.
Nick Philips has said: “This example of working together was responsible for the universal happiness among the recipients especially the sports kit which was very well received.”
Gugu Mhlongo spoke of the “the amazing gratitude when people receive from the unseen, unknown, unexpected hand. There is hope because people live in hope.” Gugu works for an organisation called Uthando House where she runs Youth Leadership workshops and her dream is for everyone to ‘remember their GREATNESS.’
Mrs Barbara Pounder who coordinated this project added: “As a result of this huge international cooperation thousands of children, young people and women have had their lives positively impacted. This large shipment of items will facilitate a range of community led initiatives promoting sport, education and dignity. Locally delivered projects empower communities through shared ownership and capacity building. The 6,101 miles travelled, the volunteer hours needed and the generosity of everyone involved is ‘practical greatness’ and testament to the philosophy of the Bambisanani family who continue to ‘work together’ to make the world a slightly better place; we can certainly all achieve more by working together.”
Related article:
Thank You to The Cardinal Partnership (10/09/2025)
