The Bambisanani Partnership: Changing Lives Through Sport and Education
Now approaching its 20th Anniversary, the Bambisanani Partnership is a multi-award-winning UK based charity that originated as a collaboration between St. Mary’s Catholic School in Menston, Yorkshire, UK and Mnyakanya High School in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa in 2006; schools that are 6,000 miles apart. The partnership, which is run entirely by volunteers, uses the power of sport as a catalyst to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership and has gained international acclaim for its work.
The partnership now involves more than 60 schools and universities in both the UK and South Africa. The University of Leeds and Newcastle College are key members of the partnership. In South Africa, the partnership operates in the Nkandla region which one of most remote and deprived parts of the country with over 40% unemployment and one of highest Aids/HIV rates in the world. ‘Bambisanani’ is a Zulu word meaning ‘working hand in hand’ which aptly encapsulates the philosophy of the partnership which seeks to provide collaborative learning opportunities for young people in both countries. Over the past nineteen years more than 40,000 young people from the UK and South Africa (from primary school to university) have participated in a variety of Bambisanani Partnership programmes and projects including ‘Leadership through Sport’, Sports Festivals’ Cycling to Success’, ‘Literacy through Sport’, ‘Numeracy through Sport’ ‘Art through Sport’, ‘Learning through Football’, ‘International Athletics Challenge’ and the joint training of Physical Education teachers and Sports Coaches.
At the heart of the Bambisanani Partnership is the African philosophy of Ubuntu – “I am because we are” – which recognises our shared humanity and the belief that meaningful change is achieved through mutual respect and reciprocal learning. The charity works alongside communities to build capacity, confidence and sustainable opportunities rather than creating dependency. Through its programmes, participants develop leadership skills, strengthen their wellbeing, and gain a deeper understanding of global citizenship.
The partnership has been recognised for its contribution towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals relating to Health and Education and is a founding member of Sport and Sustainability International. The pioneering work of the partnership has been showcased at conferences throughout the world, most notably at the Global Sport for All Summit held at the Vatican and at the International Olympic Academy. Over £1 million has been raised to facilitate its life changing work with 98.5% of all funding received going directly to support frontline projects and programmes. The charity was named Best International Sport and Physical Education Charity 2023, 2024 and 2026.
By bringing together people from different backgrounds, the partnership creates a myriad opportunities and encounters to learn from others, challenge assumptions, and become active global citizens. This approach has transformed the lives of thousands of participants while fostering long-term friendships, educational opportunities and stronger communities.
Bambisanani perspectives:
“Much of our life in the UK has become obsessed with materialism and ‘celebrity’. We have lost touch with things that really matter. My visit to South Africa has given me a much more meaningful perspective on life.”
“We have worked together…people of different colours, countries, religions and cultures…we have proved it can be done.”
“The Bambisanani Partnership has reminded me why I became a teacher.”
“This partnership has developed some of the best international education programmes and practice in the world.”
“The Bambisanani Partnership is an outstanding example of Olympism in action.”
“The Bambisanani Partnership represents a truly authentic approach to educating children about health, global citizenship and leadership. This inspirational partnership clearly has the power to change lives for the good and develop long-standing friendships across nations. Many schools and universities around the world would benefit from knowing more about this partnership and adopting similar innovative approaches to genuinely enhancing young people’s lives.”
“South Africa has a history of people from abroad attempting to ‘serve’ the local community. Many of these ‘missions’ flounder because they are designed to engender a feeling of goodwill more for the giver than the recipient. Bambisanani – working hand in hand – works because there is neither giver nor receiver. Two groups from different ends of the planet, each borrowing from the culture of the other, forge relationships through the medium of sport, changing perspectives of both from the experience.”
“Being a member of the Bambisanani Partnership can be transformational for schools and learners - we have seen significant improvements in terms of academic success, attendance, enrolment, behaviour, confidence and self-esteem because of the various Bambisanani programmes. We feel connected to a wider world and involved in something bigger than ourselves. Above all this partnership has given us hope and belief. In this partnership we all play our part; we work together and we learn together in the spirit of Ubuntu. Long live Bambisanani!”
Bambisanani succeeds because it combines the power of sport and education with the South African philosophy of Ubuntu, creating genuine partnerships that deliver sustainable impact, transformative learning and exceptional value for every pound invested. The Bambisanani story is testimony of the power of sport and education to change the lives of individuals and communities.
