NEWS
Bambisanani Partnership teams learn and make a difference in South Africa
The 20th anniversary year of the Bambisanani Partnership has seen four groups from St. Mary’s School, Menston, the University of Leeds, Newcastle College and Newcastle Sixth Form College visit South Africa.
Across more than two months, 44 students and 11 staff worked with 29 primary, secondary and special schools, reaching more than 4,400 young people through a range of sport, education, leadership and literacy programmes.
All Bambisanani projects are ‘needs led’, with South African schools and communities involved in their development and delivery. At the heart of the partnership is a shared belief in the power of sport and education to connect young people and enable them to ‘work together and learn together’.
St. Mary’s School, Menston
The partnership began 20 years ago through a collaboration between St. Mary’s School and Mnyakanya School in Nkandla. The relationship between the two schools has continued to grow despite the distance between them, creating opportunities for friendship, international collaboration and reciprocal learning.
This year’s visit to Mnyakanya formed part of special 20th anniversary celebrations organised by members of the Zulu community, reflecting the spirit of Ubuntu (shared humanity ‘I am because we are’) and the unique bond between the two schools.
Students from both countries worked together on the Bambisanani Leadership Through Sport programme, culminating in student-led Sports and Reading Festivals for 120 pupils from Ntolwane Primary School. The St. Mary’s team also delivered its annual Athletics Festival for more than 200 children from 10 local primary schools, as well as a Sports Day at Thembinfundo Special School alongside students from Newcastle College and Newcastle Sixth Form College.
A visit to uMlalazi Day Centre and Creche, run by the Zulufadder Children’s Trust, was another important part of the St. Mary’s programme. The partnership has worked closely with the centre for 20 years, providing students with the opportunity to learn from staff, including Popi Buthelezi, who has dedicated her life to supporting children affected by HIV/AIDS.
St. Mary’s teacher Charlotte Wood said the students had been “a credit to the school and Bambisanani Partnership”, adding that they had developed valuable skills in leadership, teamwork, resilience and communication.
University of Leeds and KZN Cycling
The University of Leeds has been a key member of the Bambisanani Partnership for more than a decade and has played an important role in developing the internationally recognised Bambisanani Cycling programme with KZN Cycling. This programme has seen more than 14,000 young people being taught how to ride and maintain bikes.
Increasing girls’ participation in cycling has become a key priority. During this year’s visit, the team worked closely with girls and women in local communities to better understand the barriers to participation and explore ways to address them.
KZN Cycling appointed Noxolo as a female development officer, coach, mentor and role model, while Dr Poppy Bhengu, a Bambisanani volunteer and researcher from the University of Western Cape, supported engagement with local communities.
Led by Suzzi Garnett, the team delivered 20 cycling clinics across six schools, involving 819 young people. Most notably, girls accounted for 57% of participants during the visit, compared with just 5% in the preceding months.
The partnership will continue to research and develop approaches to improve girls’ participation and retention in cycling. During the visit, the university team and KZN Cycling also received the prestigious International Physical Education and Sport Charity of the Year Award on behalf of the partnership.
Dr Poppy Bhengu said the experience demonstrated the importance of “collaboration, listening and understanding the communities we seek to serve”, particularly when addressing the barriers affecting girls’ participation.
The university team also delivered a successful Sports and Leadership Festival involving three primary schools in Eshowe.
Newcastle College
Newcastle College has been involved in the partnership for several years, with lecturer and Bambisanani trustee Brogan O’Connor leading student groups to South Africa for the past four years.
This year, students and staff spent three weeks working with Matholamnyama Secondary School, Ngqamzana Primary School, Thembinfundo Special School and uMlalazi Day Centre and Creche. Through sports coaching, leadership workshops and literacy sessions, they engaged with 846 children.
Brogan described the experience as “transformative for all involved”, while students highlighted the impact of learning from the resilience, positivity and enthusiasm of the young people they met.
Barry Rizza, Enrichment and Development Manager at Newcastle College, said it had been particularly rewarding to see students who had never worked together develop into a confident and supportive team, demonstrating leadership, adaptability and professionalism in an unfamiliar environment.
Newcastle Sixth Form College
This year also marked the first South African visit for Newcastle Sixth Form College. Supported by Brogan O’Connor, 12 students and two members of staff, Ashley Knowles and Lyanne Fellows, worked with schools and communities in Eshowe and the Nkandla region.
Using sport, leadership, literacy and education, the group helped create opportunities for young people in both countries to learn from one another.
The team supported sports activities involving an impressive 1,391 South African children, while 12 young people took part in leadership activities, 25 in reading and literacy sessions and around 150 in activities across other areas of the curriculum.
The group worked with Gratton School, Vumanhlamvu Primary School, Thembinfundo Special School and Magqama Secondary School.
For the students, adapting to teaching and coaching in a different environment was a significant part of the experience. Charlie Burgess described the growth in his confidence as he worked with younger children, while Arian Cheikh Daoud highlighted the enthusiasm of the South African pupils and the way sport brought students together.
One of the highlights was a joint Sports Day at Thembinfundo Special School, where students from Newcastle Sixth Form College, Newcastle College and St. Mary’s delivered 10 activities, including javelin, parachute games and boccia. Around 250 students took part before the day ended with singing, dancing and an awards presentation.
The visit also gave the UK teams the opportunity to see the progress of a major Bambisanani project, developed with the local community, which has provided clean water, toilets and showers at the school.
Ashley Knowles reflected on the experience, saying that the enthusiasm of the young people demonstrated the importance of providing genuine opportunities to learn, engage and succeed. She also emphasised that the learning was mutual, with the visiting students returning home having gained new skills, perspectives and relationships.
Celebrating 20 years of partnership
The four visits have demonstrated once again the lasting impact of the Bambisanani Partnership and the opportunities created when schools, colleges, universities and communities work together across international borders.
David Geldart, Founder and Volunteer CEO of the Bambisanani Partnership, praised the students and staff involved, highlighting the commitment of the partner institutions to providing experiences that cannot be replicated in the classroom.
He said the visits help young people from both countries “see the world differently, and indeed their place in it”.
Since 2006 more than 44,500 young people and 62 schools, colleges and universities from both countries have participated in the various Bambisanani programmes and projects. As the partnership enters its third decade, it continues to demonstrate the power of sport, education and international friendship to create opportunities, develop confidence and bring communities together.
Related articles:
St. Mary’s Students Make a Lasting Impact in South Africa (25/09/2026)
Newcastle Sixth Form College students make an impact in South Africa (23/09/2026)
The University of Leeds in South Africa: A year of significant impact and recognition (16/09/2026)
Newcastle College: changing the lives of young people in Newcastle and South Africa (26/06/2026)
The University of Leeds in South Africa: A year of significant impact and recognition
In August 2026 a team of 4 students & 3 staff spent 3 weeks in the Nkandla area delivering a structured programme of cycling, sport & leadership to young people alongside key stakeholders. The student team worked incredibly hard and delivered cycling clinics and engagements building on the efforts of previous years. The students came from a range of disciplines and levels of study and included a first year, a recent graduate and a PhD student. 50% of the students were from an underrepresented background. Through skills auditing throughout the process it was identified that our students developed 10 graduate level skills by an average of 29% and 100% of students agreed that their participation gave them a sense of belonging at the University of Leeds and contributed to them setting their personal ambitions higher.
The delivery of cycling clinics for beginners and improvers remains the primary focus of the visit and in liaison with KZN Cycling, this year’s team concentrated effort on engaging more female pupils. With KZN Cycling officers delivering year-round, engagement of female pupils had been identified as a challenge in the region with less than 5% of participants from January-May 2026 being female. As a collective, stakeholders agreed that we needed to develop an understanding of the causes and barriers before piloting targeted interventions. As a first step, KZN Cycling appointed a new female development officer (Noxolo) to work in the region as a role model for female participants. A Bambisanani volunteer and researcher from the University of Western Cape, Dr Poppy Bhengu also joined the team for a period of 3 days to observe and initiate some discussions with local teachers, pupils and communities. Dr Bhengu was well positioned to explore the challenges as a native researcher speaking fluent Zulu and her initial report will support the determination of next steps. The team were highly successful in not only gathering information and building trust but in translating this into initial female engagement – 57% of pupils we engaged in August were female (467 females vs 352 males across 20 clinics in 6 schools; 4 primary and 2 secondary). The challenge now will be to sustain this interest and retain girls in cycling over time, and KZN Cycling have since identified a plan to utilise ‘girls focus schools’ and the female officer to further explore the challenges and opportunities.
Vision
To use sport & education to inspire, engage and develop young people and communities in both Leeds & South Africa.
Similarly to previous years, the team also delivered a sports & leadership festival for grade 7 pupils in 3 primary schools in the town of Eshowe. This engaged learners in a programme of 3 sports (including rounders – a completely new sport to the South Africans!), classroom sessions and leadership sessions culminating in pupils leading their own games and activities for their peers.
The team were also able to enjoy a celebration alongside KZN Cycling as we recognised recent high profile awards. The University of Leeds recently won a Workforce Development award from BUCS, and the Bambisanani Partnership once again won ‘International Sport & Physical Education Charity of the year’ – an award which was shared with KZN Cycling and the University in recognition of the cycling collaboration.
Summary of feedback from students, schools, pupils & stakeholders:
“Without wanting to overstate the impact of South Africa & Gryphons Abroad on me – it has truly been a worthwhile and important three weeks. It has been an experience that has pushed me out of my comfort zone and I feel I have positively developed as a coach and a person. It has reemphasised to me the importance of art and sport as a common goal.”
“Gryphons Abroad gave me an opportunity to apply and develop academic skills in non-academic settings.”
“My main reflections and takeaways come from the cultural experiences. Rural SA is very different from city SA and you’ll see incredible beauty in the landscapes and behaviours of the children. Seeing them produce happiness from so little made me appreciate my own experiences.”
“We are very proud of this programme. One day I would like to see one of our learners ride in a competition or become a professional. Thank you Bambisanani.”
“The festival has been fantastic and eye opening. I have learnt a lot myself for my own coaching and it’s great for our kids to get a chance to do something active, do something outside, learn about themselves and each other. Within the activities some of the quieter ones have been quite open and it is nice to see that.”
“I want to thank everyone because we are learning to ride a bike. It was very easy and I like to race and show my talent. ”
“The cycling is fun – it teaches you teamwork and no one judges you.”
“We learnt so much this week and we are very thankful for this opportunity. Some of the sports we didn’t even know existed (rounders). I would give it a 10 out of 10, no discussion.”
“We really appreciate Leeds University for taking time and obviously being part of this particular initiative in trying to give a platform for our young people in this province in a code that is historically not for them because of the entry barriers.”
“The aim of the KZN Cycling development programme is to try and change people’s lives for the better. So being able to get the programme going with the Bambisanani Partnership & University of Leeds in Nkandla fits exactly with what we are trying to do.”
Key Objectives and Principles
Plans for 2027 and Next Steps
Student recruitment for 2027 has already started and we have also secured support for next year’s project from both the Footsteps Fund & the Turing scheme. This funding is primarily to support students with the cost of accessing the project and our goal, as always is to recruit 50% of students from underrepresented backgrounds. Financial sustainability remains a priority and discussions with the wider University are ongoing alongside efforts to fundraise at a service level.
With a further 3-year agreement reached between KZN Cycling, ourselves and the Bambisanani Partnership in early 2026, work will now continue to further the engagement and retention of girls in the cycling programme. Next steps are currently in discussion and Dr Bhengu has provided an initial report for consideration. We will proceed with a Theory of Change model of research and development.
Key Facts
We thank our partners for their ongoing support in delivering this project:
The Bambisanani Partnership
KZN Cycling and University of Leeds accept International Award
by Tim Whitfield
DURBAN – KwaZulu-Natal Cycling and the University of Leeds on Thursday jointly received an international award on behalf of the UK-based Bambisanani Partnership for their cycling programme in rural KwaZulu-Natal.
Accepting the award International Sport and Physical Education Charity of the Year award on Thursday were (from left) Siphamandla Mbhele, Assistant Project Manager for KZN Cycling; Manqoba Bhengu, the Acting Chief Director for Sport Promotion and Development within the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport, Arts and Culture; Suzzi Garnett from the University of Leeds; and Alec Lenferna, Chief Executive Officer of KZN Cycling.
KZN Cycling and Leeds University, working together under the Bambisanani Partnership umbrella, accepted the International Sport and Physical Education Charity of the Year award on Thursday in Newlands East, Durban, for their work teaching young people how to ride and maintain bikes in rural KwaZulu-Natal.
It was the third time the Bambisanani Partnership – a UK-South Africa charity that uses sport and education to transform lives and strengthen communities – has won the award. The recognition this year is for the joint programme undertaken by KZN Cycling and Leeds University in Nkandla.
The Bambisanani Partnership is a multi-award-winning UK-based charity that began as a collaboration between St. Mary's Catholic School in Yorkshire, England, and Mnyakanya High School in rural KwaZulu-Natal in 2006. Run entirely by volunteers, the partnership has grown to include more than 60 schools, colleges and universities across the United Kingdom and South Africa, using sport as a catalyst to promote education, health, leadership and global citizenship.
University of Leeds students and staff, partnering with the Bambisanani Partnership and KZN Cycling, at the cycling clinics.
In South Africa, the partnership operates in the Nkandla region, where Bambisanani has partnered with KZN Cycling's internationally-recognised development programme to expand cycling opportunities in one of the country's most remote and disadvantaged communities.
KZN Cycling's province-wide initiative has been strongly supported by the KZN Department of Sports, Arts & Culture for many years. The relationship with the Bambisanani Partnership in Nkandla has changed lives through education, practical skills training, and providing children in particular with improved mobility.
Alec Lenferna, Chief Executive Officer of KZN Cycling, and Suzzi Garnett from the University of Leeds accepted the award on behalf of the Bambisanani Partnership.
"The aim of the KZN Cycling development programme is to try and change people's lives for the better," said Lenferna after receiving the award. "So being able to get the programme going with the Bambisanani Partnership in Nkandla fits in exactly with what we are trying to do and we can only thank people like them and the KZN Department of Sports, Arts & Culture for the opportunity."
Suzzi Garnett from the University of Leeds says the project benefits both the communities and the students who work on the project.
KZN Cycling is growing the sport throughout the province with regular clinics, training programmes and development events.
"Working in partnership with KZN Cycling for the last three years has helped bring our cycling project to new levels," said Garnett. "From one school in the Nkandla region we are able to scale that up through the cycling hub to many schools throughout the year. The impact in South Africa is really clear, and the impact on our students and staff from the UK as they engage with the community is helping them develop their skills and their global awareness. We're providing really meaningful experiences for young people in South Africa and the UK."
Manqoba Bhengu, the Acting Chief Director for Sport Promotion and Development within the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, expressed his appreciation for the work done by all the partners in the project.
Skills training is a vital component of the training clinics.
"We just want to take time to appreciate the Bambisanani Partnership and kudos to the team working on this partnership in the province, such as KZN Cycling, as well as all of those that are responsible for its implementation in Nkandla," said Bhengu.
"We really appreciate Leeds University for taking time and obviously being part of this particular initiative in trying to give a platform for our young people in this province in a code that is historically not for them because of the entry barriers.
"We are extremely proud as a provincial government that we are able to help give a platform for this type of programme, working with all the stakeholders and ensuring that we build a brighter future for these young kids."
All photos courtesy of Graham Daniel / KZN Cycling / Gameplan Media
KZN Cycling and Leeds University Honoured With Joint Award For Transforming Lives
by Tim Whitfield
DURBAN – KwaZulu-Natal Cycling and the University of Leeds will next week jointly receive an international award on behalf of the Bambisanani Partnership for their work teaching young people how to ride and maintain bikes in rural KwaZulu-Natal.
KZN Cycling / Gameplan Media
2026 marks the third time the Bambisanani Partnership – a UK-South Africa charity that uses sport and education to transform lives and strengthen communities – has been named the International Sport and Physical Education Charity of the Year. The 2026 award is based entirely on the work undertaken by KZN Cycling in partnership with the University of Leeds, in teaching more than 12,000 young people how to ride and maintain bicycles in rural KwaZulu-Natal.
The Bambisanani Partnership is a multi-award-winning UK-based charity that began as a collaboration between St. Mary's Catholic School in Yorkshire, England, and Mnyakanya High School in rural KwaZulu-Natal in 2006 – two schools separated by 9,500 kilometres. Run entirely by volunteers, the partnership has grown to include more than 60 schools, colleges and universities across the United Kingdom and South Africa, using sport as a catalyst to promote education, health, leadership and global citizenship.
KZN Cycling / Gameplan Media
In South Africa, the partnership operates in the Nkandla region, where Bambisanani has partnered with KZN Cycling's internationally-recognised development programme to expand cycling opportunities in some of the country's most remote and disadvantaged communities.
What began as a province-wide cycling initiative by KZN Cycling supported by the KZN Department of Sports, Arts & Culture, now involves The Bambisanani Partnership in Nkandla and has become an internationally recognised programme that is changing lives through practical skills, improved mobility and increased educational opportunities.
KZN Cycling / Gameplan Media
Since joining forces, KZN Cycling and the University of Leeds have developed a sustainable programme in Nkandla that has enabled more than 12,000 young people to learn essential cycling and bicycle maintenance skills, while creating pathways into recreation, transport and sport.
The award recognises not only the scale of the programme but also the strength of a unique international collaboration built on the philosophy of Ubuntu – which means "I am because we are" – where organisations work alongside communities to create lasting opportunities rather than dependency.
The partnership's impact extends far beyond cycling. Since its establishment almost 20 years ago, more than 40,000 young people from the United Kingdom and South Africa have participated in Bambisanani programmes spanning leadership, literacy, numeracy, sport and education. More than £1 million has been raised to support these initiatives, with the overwhelming majority directed towards frontline programmes.
On Thursday, August 13, Alec Lenferna, Chief Executive Officer of KZN Cycling, and Suzzi Garnett from the University of Leeds will receive the award on behalf of the Bambisanani Partnership in recognition of their organisations' leadership in developing and delivering the cycling programme.
While celebrating the international recognition, the partners are already focused on the next phase of development. A major priority over the coming three years will be increasing girls' participation in cycling in the rural Nkandla region through research, innovation and targeted interventions.
Research highlighted by World Bicycle Relief, demonstrates the powerful impact that bicycle access can have for girls in rural communities. Girls with access to bicycles are more likely to arrive at school on time, less likely to be absent or drop out, and face fewer safety concerns when travelling to and from school. These findings reinforce the partnership's own experiences at Mnyakanya School, where improved access to bicycles has contributed to better school attendance and broader personal development.
To support this next chapter, the partnership has appointed its first female cycling coach in Nkandla, working exclusively with women, while respected researcher Dr Poppy Bhengu will assist with research and programme development aimed at identifying and overcoming barriers that prevent girls from participating in cycling.
As the Bambisanani Partnership approaches its 20th anniversary, the latest international award stands as recognition of what can be achieved when education, sport and international collaboration work hand in hand. For KZN Cycling, the University of Leeds and the Bambisanani Partnership, it is not simply an acknowledgement of past success, but motivation to continue expanding opportunities for thousands more young people across rural KwaZulu-Natal.
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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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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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.”
University of Leeds Team Recognised with Award for Global Impact
Bambisanani Partnership collaborators at the University of Leeds have recently been recognised with a special award for ‘Global Impact’ for their Gryphons Abroad project.
The annual Partnership Awards at the university acknowledge staff, groups and programmes which contribute to making sure students have outstanding, positive and impactful experiences during their time at Leeds. The award for global impact celebrates initiatives with an international and intercultural focus.
The university of Leeds team were nominated for the award by a student volunteer (Tracy Campbell) who participated in their 2024 visit to South Africa. 2,749 nominations were submitted for the awards in total with Gryphons Abroad winning their faculty round (Professional Services) before scooping the University wide award at a gala dinner last month.
Last summer, a team of 7 students and 3 staff (including Tracy) delivered cycling clinics, sport and leadership across 4 fantastic weeks in Kwa Zulu Natal. Their work supported the ongoing interventions of the Bambisanani Partnership & KZN Cycling in the region. Across the four weeks, the team engaged with 12 partner organisations in the UK and South Africa, mobilising 1,387 participations in sport and cycling. Students created memories and friendships, as well as developing transferable graduate level skills. The staff team provided 486 hours of training and support to the students. You can read more about Tracy’s experience as part of the Gryphons Abroad team here.
“We were absolutely thrilled to be nominated by one of our students for the Global Impact Award. Since our Gryphons Abroad project started in 2016, more than 100 staff and students have been part of the programme, enabling 8,000 young people to learn to ride and maintain bikes in rural South Africa. Each individual has contributed in their own way, and we know from experience the lasting impact sport can have on the lives of our students. This award recognises that impact as well as the impact in South Africa.” Suzzi Garnett, Gryphons Abroad project coordinator, University of Leeds.
Tracy Campbell
David Geldart from the Bambisanani Partnership added, “As a member of the University of Leeds Alumni I receive regular updates regarding the amazing innovative work that the university is engaged in internationally so this really is an outstanding achievement to be selected above all others to receive this award. Huge thanks must go to Andy Lockwood and Suzzie Garnet who have led on this amazing work.”
The team are hoping for another win this awards season with Tracy also shortlisted for the ‘Great volunteer’ Award at the Yorkshire University Sports Awards this month. The Gryphons Abroad project will celebrate its 10-year anniversary in 2026 and the team are already planning something special to recognise all of the staff and students who have contributed to the project's ongoing success.
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Partnership with KZN Cycling goes from strength to strength
The pioneering Cycling Programme devised in partnership with Bambisanani, University of Leeds and KZN Cycling has gained international acclaim for its impact. More than 8,000 young people from the remote, rural Nkandla region have now been taught to ride and maintain bikes.
The Bambisanani/KZN Cycling partnership is transforming lives through cycling. Youngsters from the Nkandla region are now involved in competitive cycling as a result of this programme. Talented cyclists are emerging and are being given opportunities to participate in the KZN Cycling Community Series.
Alec Lenferna, CEO of KZN Cycling explained:
“The KZN Cycling Community Series is a new series of short course mountain bike races that was created to allow for maximum participation by young and not so young alike – and whether they are serious bike riders, or just people that want to become involved. The aim is to stage events in areas that have been traditionally under serviced by event organisers, and while the core focus of the events is on learners in local schools under the age of 19 years old, there was also an open category event for all members of the community that have wanted to take part. Apart from ensuring that more cycling events are staged across the different districts in the province, the series has also allowed for the KZN Cycling High Performances coaches to be able to identify any potential talented riders that may be out there that have as yet not come to the fore.
Despite the thumping rain in the lead up and intermittent bad weather on the day, the final event in the KZN Cycling Community Series was able to be staged at the Umhlathuze Sports Complex in Richards Bay. Even though the fields and surrounds were wet and muddy, the staff and course designers were still able to set up a race venue and circuit that was challenging enough to test the riders at the front of the packs, while also providing an element of fun for the not so serious contenders that joined the event. Sixty riders from the programme in the area were selected to take part in the event, including twelve riders from the Nkandla Hub. These are amongst the riders that have shown ongoing progress and development in the area, and who are now “on the radar” for more involvement.
This was a final event that was a fitting culmination of this new series that has now been established, and will be grown and staged again going forward. The primary difference in the new series will be that the format will allow for a final event with the best riders from all 11 districts able to win a spot to compete, and this will be one of the cornerstone elements of the progression elements for the 25/26 time period. I don’t doubt that the ‘Nkandla kids’ will be in the mix.”
David Geldart, CEO of the Bambisanani Partnership added, “The partnership with KZN Cycling is having remarkable impact on so many levels. Together we have brought cycling, with all its opportunities, to over 8,000 young people. As a means of transport, the bikes transform the 2 hours walk to school leading to improved punctuality, attendance and academic achievement. The programme is now providing opportunities for youngsters to participate in competitive cycling and from this we are ‘discovering’ some really talented cyclists who can potentially access High Performance Pathways. It is only a matter of time before one of our cyclists from Nkandla is on the podium! Huge thanks must go to Alec and all the team at KZN Cycling and indeed to Andy Lockwood and Suzzi Garnett from The University of Leeds for pioneering some outstanding work in area where bikes were rarely seen three years ago!
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Global Impact Award Nomination
Congratulations to the fantastic team of students and staff from the University of Leeds (UoL) who have been nominated for a prestigious Global Impact Award.
The University of Leeds is a key member of the Bambisanani Partnership team that has gained international acclaim for it work using sport and education to create social change in one of South Africa’s most remote regions. For over ten years, the university has developed life changing programmes through its student volunteer programme in South Africa – Gryphons Abroad.
The university has pioneered cycling and leadership programmes that have had a significant on those involved. The remarkable cycling programme delivered in partnership with KZN Cycling has seen more than 8,000 young people learn to ride and maintain bikes. Each year, hundreds of primary school learners develop leadership skills through a unique sports programme delivered by UoL and students and staff.
The Global Impact category of award celebrates members of the UoL community who work with a global focus. Nominations recognise groups or initiatives which have actively engaged in the promotion and maintenance of international intercultural educational activities.
The award winners will be announced at a ceremony on 6th May 2025.
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