NEWS
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)
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.