NEWS
Partnership welcomes new Trustee
The Bambisanani Partnership has recently appointed Peter Iliff as a new Trustee to help run the charity.
Peter Iliff
With a rich career in leadership across both healthcare and commercial settings, Peter brings a wealth of experience and a genuine passion for using sport, education and leadership as tools for positive change. He is currently on a secondment programme funded by NHS England, developing an apprenticeship pathway for established clinicians to enhance their knowledge and improve the level of care provided for NHS patients.
As a qualified orthotist, Peter has held senior roles in both the private and not-for-profit sectors, with a strong track record in managing programmes that foster partnership and optimise team performance. His expertise spans business planning, governance oversight and marketing across the UK. In addition, Peter has many years of experience coaching and developing young players within grassroots sport. He is deeply committed to making a difference in communities through learning, collaboration and empowerment.
Peter said, “I’m honoured to join the Bambisanani Partnership and look forward to working alongside its dedicated volunteers, partner schools and students in the UK and South Africa. I’m inspired by the way the partnership uses sport to nurture leadership, teamwork and educational opportunities. I’m excited to contribute my experience and energy to help the organisation deepen its impact and explore new opportunities, so that the number of young people involved, in both the UK and KZN, continues to increase.”
David Geldart, Founder and CEO of the charity added: ”We are absolutely delighted to welcome Peter to the team. Organisations tend to be either going forward or going backwards. Peter has a proven track record of impact and brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm that will help us push on to achieve even more in the future, not least to deliver our most ambitious programme to date in 2026.”
Run entirely by volunteers the Bambisanani Partnership is a multi-award-winning charity that has gained international acclaim for its work using the power of sport and education to connect young people in the UK and South Africa. Over the past 19 years, the partnership has engaged more than 34,000 young people and 60 educational institutions from both countries in its various projects and programmes.
Peter will join the existing Board of Trustees of David Geldart, Barbara Pounder, Darren Beardsley, Brogan O’Connor, Margaret Hattersley and Richard Giles.
Three memorable Bambisanani Partnership volunteering visits to South Africa in 2025
This year has seen 35 students and 10 members of staff, from St. Mary’s School, Menston; The University of Leeds and Newcastle College volunteer in South Africa as part of the Bambisanani Partnership. Over a three-month period, they delivered a range of needs led Bambisanani projects and programmes to 3,679 young people in 32 different schools including 7 schools that were completely new to the initiative. With the objective to: ‘To use sport & education to inspire, engage and develop young people and communities in both countries’ the visits have been a remarkable success in terms of both purpose and impact.
Each visit brought different strengths, fresh ideas and measurable impact to local schools and community projects, while giving both UK and South African students volunteers a hands-on, experience of cross-cultural learning.
St. Mary’s School: festival-style athletics and community learning
St. Mary’s returned to the Nkandla region with a group of student leaders and staff who organised the Bambisanani Schools’ International Athletics Challenge and community sports festivals. The St. Mary’s team led athletics events for multiple local primary schools, delivering coaching, officiating and leadership opportunities that engaged hundreds of young South African pupils. Beyond sport, the group ran literacy and early-years activities—visiting daycare centres and supporting reading sessions— bringing classroom skills into the community and reinforcing the Partnership’s “learning through sport” ethos. The visit was described as purposeful and hugely motivating for both visitors and hosts.
University of Leeds: cycling, girls’ programmes and award-winning delivery
The University of Leeds volunteer team built on several years of collaboration, focusing this year on cycling development and targeted programmes for girls. Their work linked into the Partnership’s emerging cycling hub initiatives — coaching local cycling sessions, supporting skill-building and discussing sustainability for future hubs — while also delivering leadership training and school-based sport sessions. The Leeds team’s impact was also recognised back home: their work with Bambisanani and the student volunteering programme (Gryphons Abroad) has been singled out in university awards and Partnership praise, underlining the quality and longevity of the Leeds–Bambisanani link.
Newcastle (Newcastle College): three weeks of sustained support and skills exchange
A group of students and staff from Newcastle completed a three-week placement in rural KwaZulu-Natal, part of their annual volunteering programme with the Partnership. Their visit combined sports coaching, classroom support and community outreach — from running inclusive coaching sessions and sports festivals to supporting literacy activities and mentoring local student leaders. Newcastle’s programme emphasised sustained presence: three weeks allowed relationships to develop, practical skills to be embedded, and local partners to co-design sessions that met immediate needs while planning for longer-term follow-up. The college reported that students returned inspired, better equipped for future careers and committed to ongoing fundraising and support.
“I have nothing but praise and admiration for the remarkable staff and students from St. Mary’s, University of Leeds, Newcastle College and all our partners in South Africa. Our needs led programmes in South Africa are making a real difference in the communities in which we work. Young people from both countries are working together and learning together in the most meaningful way. This is extremely difficult and challenging work but our team continues to respond providing the most powerful educational opportunities. Their commitment and enthusiasm know no bounds as all three institutions are now well underway in planning their 2026 visits to South Africa which will mark the 20th Anniversary of the partnership.”
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Teacher will complete 26 Triathlons to fund Bambisanani Sport and Art Project
This year David Farmer, Deputy Headteacher at St. Joseph’s Pudsey, is undertaking a sponsored triathlon challenge that involves completing a triathlon every fortnight - 26 in total
David Farmer
The triathlons will be gym based and will range from a half triathlon to full Olympic triathlon. This will involve a 750m swim up to 1500m, a 20k cycle ride up to 40k and a 5k run up to a 10k run.
To date he has completed 13 triathlons including a full Olympic distance triathlon, which took 4 hours to complete.
All the proceeds will go to fund an art project linking young people in the UK and South Africa, which will focus on the concept of Ubuntu – which means humanity and brotherhood (I am because you are). The children will complete art pieces and then have their works exhibited celebrating Ubuntu through sport. The funding raised will pay for resources and artists to assist children to ensure there are no barriers to the children taking part.
If you wish to donate please use the following details here
For further information please contact David Farmer: d.farmer@stjosphspudsey.org
Pioneering Initiative Empowers 10,000 Young People Through Cycling
A pioneering collaboration between the Bambisanani Partnership, KZN Cycling, University of Leeds and the KZN Department of Education has reached an extraordinary milestone: teaching its 10,000th young person how to ride and maintain a bicycle. This remarkable achievement highlights the power of education, sport, and international cooperation to change lives.
In rural South Africa, access to reliable transport can be a daily challenge for young people striving to attend school, take part in community activities or seize new opportunities. Recognising this, the Bambisanani Partnership introduced its cycling initiative to equip learners with both the skill and confidence to ride, as well as the knowledge to maintain and repair their own bicycles.
Initiated by the University of Leeds and working closely with the KZN Department of Education, the programme has quickly become one of the most impactful elements of the partnership’s work. For many learners, this is their very first experience of cycling – a simple yet transformative skill that opens doors to independence, improved mobility and even future employment opportunities. Beyond the practical benefits, the initiative has also inspired teamwork, resilience, and leadership among young people.
Teachers and community leaders have praised the programme for bringing joy, freedom, and empowerment to children who might otherwise face daily struggles to travel long distances on foot. The cycling lessons are more than just physical activity; they are lessons in perseverance and problem-solving, as students also learn how to fix punctures, adjust brakes, and care for their bikes responsibly.
Beyond the basic teaching programme some youngsters have also progressed to participating in competitive events with the opportunity to access Province wide High-Performance Pathways for talented cyclists.
The milestone of 10,000 participants is a testament to the long-term vision of the Bambisanani Partnership, which for nearly two decades has used sport, leadership, and learning as a force for good. What began as a collaboration between St. Mary’s School, Menston, in the UK and Mnyakanya High School in KwaZulu-Natal has now grown into an internationally recognised model of partnership and development.
As one participant put it: “When I learned to ride a bike, I felt free. Now I can get to school quicker, help my family, and teach others what I know.”
David Geldart Volunteer CEO of the Bambisanani Partnership, said:
“Reaching 10,000 young people is a landmark achievement for our cycling programme. This initiative is about so much more than learning to ride; it is about giving young people independence, confidence, and the ability to shape their own futures. Huge thanks must go to all the partner organisations and individuals who are making this important programme possible.”
Alec Lenferna, CEO of KZN Cycling added, “Our aim is to try and change people’s lives on a daily basis, whether this be by teaching someone how to ride a bike and thereby allow them to travel easier and further, or to just boost their confidence and give them a sense of belief in their abilities or to teach them to affect repairs and thereby give them a potential job skill that may allow them to feed their families down the line… Whatever it is, the more people there are in a programme allows for additional impact, and it is very evident that 10,000+ people means we are all going to be helping and impact positively many more people more often. It’s been a fantastic partnership thus far, and we look forward to the next 10,000.”
Local educators have also praised the scheme’s impact. One teacher from Mnyakanya High School commented:
“For many of our learners, a bicycle is life-changing. It helps them get to school faster, participate in activities, and even support their families. This programme has truly empowered our community.”
The success of the cycling initiative reflects the Bambisanani Partnership’s belief that small steps can create lasting change. By providing young people with skills for life, the programme ensures that the wheels of opportunity keep turning for generations to come.
As the organisation looks to the future, the focus will remain on providing young people with the skills and opportunities they need to thrive.
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Golf Tournament in memory of Bambisanani hero raises funds for Cancer Research
The Martin Green Memorial Golf Tournament remembers a remarkable man who whilst a teacher at St. Mary’s School, Menston played an important role in developing the Bambisanani Partnership – a unique charity that uses the power of sport to change lives of some of the poorest children in South Africa. The Eleventh Annual Tournament was held at East Morton Golf Club, as it always is, and raised £850 for Cancer Research UK. Over the past eleven years this event has now raised over £13,150 for the charity.
Team photo
As has happened before with this event, the weather completely defied a terrible forecast and the day was a tremendous success, marked with wonderful camaraderie, great fun, superb hospitality and some outstanding golf. 28 people played in the 18-hole Stableford tournament with many others making generous donations and providing prizes.
Joseph Geldart
The winner of the 2025 Martin Green Memorial Trophy was former St. Mary’s student and Bambisanani supporter Joseph Geldart with a very impressive 43 Stableford points. It was a great day for Joe as he also won the Longest Drive competition. Runner up in the tournament was Sam Bennett with 38 points and in third place was Damian McGrath with 36 points. The Straightest Drive competition was won by Simon Eagles and the Nearest the Pin competition was won by Simon Bennett. The Putting prize went to Andy Doherty for a remarkable third year in a row. The awards this year were presented by Alex Smickersgill.
Tournament Champion, Joe Geldart said, “It’s a real honour to be part of this day, let alone win something. Martin was my teacher and a great friend of my dad’s – it’s fantastic to remember him in this way and raise money for Cancer Research.”
Sam Bennett
The event was organised by former friends and colleagues of Martin; Alex Smickersgill, Catherine Chattoe, Michelle Hefferon and David Geldart. David said, “Massive thanks to everyone that played and supported the event in any way. We are indebted to Fred Heaton, Danny Halligan, Paul Rhodes for making it such a great occasion. Special thanks to all the organisations and individuals that provided an absolutely outstanding array prizes and refreshments. Thank you of course to St. Mary’s School and all the team East Morton Golf Club who always go the extra mile to ensure that this tournament is a tremendous success and celebration. We are already looking forward to next year’s competition which will be our 12th Anniversary event and edging towards a target of raising £15,000 for Cancer Research UK.”
The tournament incurs costs of around £200 and for next year we would like to find a sponsor for this amount so that more money can go to support Cancer Research UK – if you can help in any way please contact Alex Smickersgill alex.smickersgill@gmail.com or David Geldart d.geldart@bambisananipartnership.org
www.bambisananipartnership.org
The University of Leeds in South Africa: Exceptional work from a remarkable team
The 2025 team of staff and students spent a period of 4 weeks in rural Nkandla delivering a series of cycling clinics for beginners & improvers as well as a week-long sport & leadership festival for 3 schools in the township of Eshowe. Our team comprised two staff members Matty Walsh and Fenella Walsh (one from Leeds Sport and one from LUU, supporting our commitment to working in partnership) and eight students Muskaan Kapoor, Molly Blakemore, Pippa Hooper, Rosie Gibbins, Kate Gibson, Ryan Mellor, Mitchell Hale and Tom Cunningham from a range of disciplines, including one international student from India and 2 students from underrepresented backgrounds.
Cycling clinics are the main focus of the project and these are conducted alongside our long-term partner, KZN Cycling and their local development officer, Sonqoba. The clinics aim to introduce cycling to new audiences as well as further develop the skills of more competent riders. Students also teach bike maintenance skills to help keep the fleet on the road. Year-round talent ID, coaching & competitive opportunities are offered via KZN Cycling – an important pathway opportunity for young people in the area. In an average month, Sonqoba delivers 12 clinics engaging with 220 young people. In August 2025, our volunteer team were able to deliver 25 clinics in 8 schools, including 3 new ones, engaging 1,100 learners – a significant increase in scale and an introduction to cycling for some completely new learners. One week of the project was also spent delivering a sport & leadership festival for Grade 7 pupils at 3 schools. This involved daily rotations of leadership session, classroom sessions and sports activities with the week culminating in pupils leading activities for their peers. Students design their own classroom sessions, usually related to their degree, bringing a range of topics this year including a challenge in engineering the tallest tower, and a lesson in cell biology. Threaded throughout the project is a range of cultural experiences to support students to learn more about Zulu culture, including a visit to a traditional Zulu home, lessons in Zulu dance and a safari. The 2025 team have been our top performing team to date in terms of clinics delivered, and participants engaged. In 2025 we also won the award for ‘Global Impact’ at the University of Leeds partnership awards.
Summary of feedback from students, schools and pupils
A key focus for 2025 was improving our data collection and evidencing of impact on both the UK & SA side of the project.
On the UK side all students are skills audited at the start point, mid-point and end point of the project to assess their progress against 10 key graduate level skills. The highest scoring skills at the end point. They also write a reflective essay on the final week of their visit outlining their key successes, challenges and learnings from the project.
On the SA side we conducted interviews with staff and pupils in 7 schools and sent an end survey to schools we had contact details for. Schools were asked to score the engagement out of ten to produce a Net Promotor Score (NPS).
Vision: ‘To use sport & education to inspire, engage and develop young people and communities in both Leeds and South Africa’
“I learned that not everything is in my control, and the best way to deal with challenges is to stay flexible and open. Over these weeks, I’ve developed leadership, adaptability, problem-solving, communication, teamwork, and organisation skills – things I’ll carry with me long after the programme ends. I’ve become more aware of my strengths and weaknesses, especially when leading, but also of how powerful it is when everyone supports one another. This has been life-changing for me – it’s made me more confident, adaptable, and aware of the world. I wish I could come back and spend more time with these incredible children, because they’ve left a mark on me that I’ll carry forever.”
“I think what I have experienced in this project has affected how I will act and see the world in the future. I hope to have a role in coaching football for girls to ensure they have access to the same opportunity I had when I was younger.”
“I loved every minute of the programme – everything forms part of the experience and I am so glad to have done it. It has helped me understand what I want to do when I graduate and I am sure I will go back to SA.”
“This programme is making a real difference in our school. I see the difference in the learners in school. They are interested and challenged and they’re learning. Kids really care about this programme. On day 1 some of the children knew nothing about how to ride a bike and now they are having a competition.”
“Our students come back from the sports festival so motivated and so positive. I love the connection they have with the Leeds students and they speak about them for months after they have left. So they really make a connection and I just love the positivity that they leave with our children.”
“This week was fun, competitive and funny. The teachers were fun and everyone loved it. I like rugby, soccer and athletics. I learnt about Middlesborough, Scotland and Wales.”
“The thing I liked the most was the leadership sessions because they taught you a lot – how to work with other people and how to communicate things. I also learnt about Spain and learnt some Spanish.”
“Cycling is fun & exciting. We learn and also get educated. I learnt a lot and I love it a lot.”
“We get to show off our talent.”
Key Objectives and Principles
Plans for 2026 and Next Steps
2026 will mark the 10-year anniversary of the Gryphons Abroad project and we hope to bring the 100+ staff members and students who have participated in the project, and stakeholders and funders together to celebrate this milestone
Project costs continue to rise and in response to this the 2026 visit will be a period of 3 weeks rather than 4. This balances the cost to students & staff commitment required from the service, with continued impact. We have successfully secured further support from the Footsteps Fund & Turing Fund to deliver the 2026 project. This will financially support students to access the opportunity; something that this year’s cohort expressed was vital to their participation alongside their other commitments. We are aiming to recruit 10 students, with 50% of these from underrepresented backgrounds. Financial sustainability will be a priority for 2025-26 and we will be seeking support from Student Opportunity & the FD project management office to progress this.
The initial 3 year cycling hub agreement between our charity partner, the Bambisanani Partnership & KZN Cycling comes to an end this year but the charity & NGO have indicated they are keen to continue working together. We will work alongside the charity & KZN Cycling to secure an agreement. Initial consultation with partners following this year’s visit has highlighted a need for more targeted interventions aimed at female pupils in the Nkandla region. Of the participants in the cycling project this year 73% were male and 27% were female. Although the number of male participants significantly outweighs the number of female participants, this ratio is a significant improvement on clinics delivered from April-July 2025 which engaged only 7% female participants. However, it does indicate a need for more targeted work in this area and we would like to support KZN Cycling in piloting this with the support of our female staff and students.
Key Facts
We thank our partners for their ongoing support in delivering this project:
The Bambisanani Partnership
“The University of Leeds has been a key member of the Bambisanani Partnership for almost ten years now, contributing significantly to the development of our governance and strategy as well pioneering outstanding operational work in South Africa. Andy Lockwood and Suzzi Garnett deserve considerable praise for their wonderful work and its resulting impact. Their support for other Bambisanani institutions and colleagues in both countries is fantastic: they lead the way in so many areas and are always willing to share ideas with others. They have lead on our groundbreaking Cycling initiative in partnership with KZN Cycling - an initiative that is truly transforming the lives of thousands of young people in the remote and rural Nkandla region. Next year will be the Tenth Anniversary of University of Leeds students volunteering in South Africa; these students can all articulate how this experience has benefited them in so many ways not least on their view of the world and their place in it. This all amounts to exceptional work from a remarkable team. Well done and Thank you.”
Thank You to The Cardinal Partnership
On 20 August 2025, 81 boxes of sports clothing were collected by The Cardinal Partnership, who are now in the process of shipping the boxes to South Africa on behalf of The Bambisanani Partnership.
Catherine Chattoe and Barbara Pounder of the Bambisanani Partnership
The journey began in March with a minibus trip to Hemel Hempstead to collect numerous boxes of sports clothing from a charity called KitAid. This charity works with UK Football, Rugby, Basketball and Cricket clubs, who donate their unused branded sports clothing for use abroad. The Bambisanani Partnership saw this as a great opportunity to help and support our friends in South Africa.
The Cardinal Partnership have long been a keen supporter of our work over the years and recently this relationship has been reignited. Abby Austin who chairs the charitable arm of the company was at the forefront of the discussions which led to the collection and delivery of the sports clothing. Cardinal have also donated 2,000 polo shirts. An extremely generous contribution which will be greatly received.
The boxes are due to be shipped on 4 September 2025, and the sailing time is about 35 days.
Nick Philips from the Rotary Club in Eshowe has kindly offered to distribute the clothing between our Partnership schools and under the umbrella of Zulu Fadder to adults who are most in need.
This has been a great opportunity to link partners old and new and our thanks go to Abby, Cardinal and to Nick in Eshowe. A wonderful team effort!
Bambisanani team members David Farmer, Catherine Chattoe, Barbara Pounder and Brogan O’Connor pictured with Kit Aid founder, Derrick Williams
“The Cardinal Partnership is proud to support the Bambisanani Partnership by helping ship sports clothing to South Africa, along with 2,000 polo shirts we have donated. It’s a privilege to work together on a project that will make a real difference in schools and communities. Thanks to all the different departments in our team who have helped make this possible.”
“The Cardinal Partnership have been wonderful supporters of our charity for many years. From transporting much needed equipment to having members of their team volunteer on our various programmes in South Africa they have helped us make a real difference in the world.”
The Cardinal Partnership is made up of Cardinal Global Logistics and Far Logistics, who combined stand tall as the world’s largest employee-owned logistics business.
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.