NEWS
Jordan Sinnott honoured in South Africa
The tragic death of former St. Mary’s student, Jordan Sinnott last January touched the heart of the nation and indeed beyond. Jordan had always been a great supporter of the Bambisanani Partnership and this week two specially commissioned awards in his memory were presented by the charity for Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year at Vumanhlamvu Primary School in rural KwaZulu-Natal.
The tragic death of former St. Mary’s student, Jordan Sinnott last January touched the heart of the nation and indeed beyond. Jordan had always been a great supporter of the Bambisanani Partnership and this week two specially commissioned awards in his memory were presented by the charity for Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year at Vumanhlamvu Primary School in rural KwaZulu-Natal.
Nombulelo Biyela and Mzwandile Zondi
The Bambisanani Partnership Sportswoman of the Year Award in Memory of Jordan Sinnott was won by Nombulelo Biyela
The Bambisanani Partnership Sportsman of the Year Award in Memory of Jordan Sinnott was won by Mzwandile Zondi
This is the first time that any awards have ever been presented at the school and there was much excitement as the two winners were announced at a special ceremony. The recipients were both surprised and delighted:
““I am very happy and feel very much honoured to be the recipient of this prestigious award in memory of Jordan Sinnott. I am the first person ever in our school to lift such an award and I would like to thank our Principal Mr Vilakazi and my educators for nominating me. I would like to thank again the Bambisanani Partnership for their kindness and support to our school and also to Jordan’s family who are in our prayers.” ”
““I am so very excited to be a first recipient of this award in memory of Jordan Sinnott in the United Kingdom. Although this was the toughest year due to Covid 19 my teachers have managed to recognise my talent. I would like to thank them for giving me the opportunity to demonstrate it. I would like also to send my special thanks to the Bambisanani Partnership and to the Sinnott family for all this. May Jordan’s soul rest in peace. Thank you Bambisanani Partnership.””
The Principal of Vumanhlamvu School, Mr William Vilakazi had actually met Jordan when he visited St. Mary’s in 2011. “Yes, I remembered meeting Jordan as soon as I saw the photograph – I remember his smile and how respectful he was. I also saw him play football – what a talent! It is a great honour to have these very special awards in memory of Jordan installed at our school which serves a very remote and deprived community. These awards will raise spirits and motivate our learners in sports and in the classroom – healthy minds need healthy bodies. The interest in the awards is amazing and I can foresee tough competition in sports in the year ahead at Vumanhlamvu. Our thoughts and prayers are very much with Jordan’s family and friends; Jordan will become part of life at Vumanhlamvu School.
St. Mary’s Menston Students and Staff
From left to right:
Aisling Hendron, Sabrina Spilker, Millie Carroll, Oscar Helliwell, Archie Bange, Dion Barber, Joe Newman, Matt Harvey, David Geldart, Julia Findlay, Charlotte Wood and Catherine Chattoe.
Following Jordan’s death the phenomenal ‘Sinnott 25’ football shirt campaign not only received shirts from every football league club in the country it went on to receive over 850 sports shirts from more than 30 countries from around the world! More than 100 of these shirts will be going out to South Africa when Bambisanani volunteers from St. Mary’s visit next summer (Covid permitting).
The Bambisanani Partnership Sportsman of the Year Award in Memory of Jordan Sinnott
David Geldart from the partnership had worked very closely with Jordan at St. Mary’s as he prepared to become a professional footballer and had remained in contact when he had left school. David said: “Jordan was an amazing young man; a massive character with a heart of gold. Despite his phenomenal talent he was always modest and unassuming. He loved the Bambisanani Partnership and was a great supporter. The awards in South Africa will encourage learners, year on year, to be the best that they can be. With an award also to be introduced at St. Mary’s School a wonderful legacy has been established that will ensure that Jordan will always be remembered and that he will continually inspire others. Taking his shirts out to South Africa will be amazing; Zulu children absolutely love football and I can see a ‘Sinnott 25’ shirt becoming a particularly prized possession! Massive congratulations to Nombulelo and Mzwandile; we are all very proud of you. This is all very positive and just the kind of thing that Jordan would love.”
WATCH: "A little true miracle" - Former @htafc @ChesterfieldFC @FCHTOnline footballer Jordan Sinnott never got to meet his daughter Maisie, but his fiancee Kelly and mum Mel will ensure she'll grow up knowing all about her dad - @chrisdawkesITV reports pic.twitter.com/Riy17DMhfd
— ITV News Calendar (@itvcalendar) October 9, 2020
Shipping company Cardinal Maritime help Bambisanani Partnership make a difference in South Africa
Massive thanks to shipping company Cardinal Maritime who are yet again taking goods to South Africa for the Bambisanani Partnership to support some of the most deprived communities in the country.
Massive thanks to shipping company Cardinal Maritime who are yet again taking goods to South Africa for the Bambisanani Partnership to support some of the most deprived communities in the country.
The Manchester based company has supported the charity since its inception with funding, transportation and even with members of staff travelling to South Africa to volunteer on Bambisanani programmes.
David Geldart from the partnership said: “The team at Cardinal Maritime have been just wonderful to work with. They have supported us for the past fourteen years and take a genuine interest in all that we do; they have helped us make a real difference in the most challenging of circumstances."
Aid delivered and Rebuilding begins in the Vumanhlamvu community, 2020
St. Mary’s Menston team visit Umlalazi Day Centre and Creche, 2018
Bambisanani Design a Christmas Card Competition 2020
Massive Congratulation to the winner of The Bambisanani Design a Christmas Card Competition 2020
Massive Congratulation to the winner of The Bambisanani Design a Christmas Card Competition 2020
Emily Hogg 7 Postgate
Mr David Geldart, founder of the Bambisanani Partnership judged the competition and selected Emily Hogg's design. Emily is in form 7 Postgate at St. Mary’s Menston.
Other excellent designs were received from the following St. Mary’s students:
Eloise Dawson, 7 Dickenson
Lily Evans, 7 Dickenson
Harriet Kelly, 7 Dickenson
Isabelle Stewardson, 7 Clitherow
Lily Plaxton, 7 Clitherow
Freya Cheyne, 7 Dickenson
Emilia Armitage, 7 Dickenson
Bebe Mason, 7 Gwyn
Elias Sutcliffe, 7 Wharton
Leona Vaduthala, 8 Postgate
Ursula Burrows, 7 Dickenson
Well done to all entrants in our competition!
Bambisanani Partnership Alumni Group launches!
As you will know from a previous news post, Brogan O'Connor has recently become a Trustee of the Bambisanani Partnership.
As you will know from a previous news post, Brogan O'Connor has recently become a Trustee of the Bambisanani Partnership.
Brogan is very keen to get involved with our social media and would like to develop a specific Bambisanani Alumni Group on Facebook to give an added interactive dimension to what we do in this area.
If you would like to be involved or indeed help Brogan establish the group, then please visit:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/719102342356476/?ref=share
New Principal and Deputy Principal appointed at Mnyakanya School
The Bambisanani Partnership would like to congratulate Mr S V Ngubane and Ms F J Lekena on their recent appointment as Principal and Deputy Principal at Mnyakanya School.
The Bambisanani Partnership would like to congratulate Mr S V Ngubane and Ms F J Lekena on their recent appointment as Principal and Deputy Principal at Mnyakanya School.
Mr S V Ngubane, Principal at Mnyakanya School.
Mnyakanya School and St. Mary’s School founded the Bambisanani Partnership back in 2006. Mr Ngubane was quick to acknowledge the importance and significance of the partnership at the school and pledged his commitment to it. His ambition for this rural and remote school, which serves on the most deprived areas in the country, is ‘to see it competing with the most highly ranked schools in South Africa’. Mr Ngubane has enthusiastically spoken of his commitment to create more opportunities for his students to succeed by expanding both curricular and extracurricular activities with many more students ultimately going on to pursue their education at tertiary level.
Ms F J Lekena, Deputy Principal at Mnyakanya School
The Bambisanani team are looking forward to working with Mr Ngubane and Ms Lekena and taking the partnership to the next level. As ever in this partnership we all have much to learn by working and learning together.
Bambisanani Partnership / John Paul II Foundation for Sport Annual Sporting Awards presented at Ntolwane Primary School
There was great excitement this week as the annual Bambisanani Partnership / John Paul II Foundation for Sport Awards were presented at Ntolwane Primary School in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
There was great excitement this week as the annual Bambisanani Partnership / John Paul II Foundation for Sport Awards were presented at Ntolwane Primary School in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
The winners of the awards were:
(From right to left in the photograph):
Awande Zuma: Sportswoman of the Year
Amahle Shangase: Sports Leader of the Year
Siphesihle Mzobe: Sportsman of the Year
Mr Moses Xulu from Ntolwane Primary School said: “On behalf of the School Sports Committee I wish to thank the Bambisanani Partnership and the John Paul iiII Foundation for Sport making the dreams of the learners to come true through these prestigious awards. The recognition and motivation in sports is appreciated so much. Awande is a real ‘superstar’ in sports where her talent, training and determination have gained her both medals and records. She has real focus but also encourages others to get involved and love what they do. Amahle is a fantastic leader and coach who inspires others with her positive attitude. She is always focussed on the vision of the team. Her encouragement of others to participate in sport is excellent. Siphesihle has tremendous all round sporting talent. He always demonstrates good character both on and off the field. These awards are really special and we would like to send our very best wishes to the Bambisanani team and sponsors.”
Whilst modest and unassuming, the students themselves were clearly thrilled with the awards:
Awande Zuma:
"I was very delighted to receive this important award for being Sportswoman of the Year - it makes me feel so good.”
Amahle Shangase:
"I am so pleased to be named as the Sports Leader of the Year - I am really honoured.”
Siphesihle Mzobe:
"I wasn't expecting such an award but I feel so honoured as a contributor in sports to be named as the Sportsman of the Year.”
David Geldart from the partnership added: “What impressive young people they are! We send our congratulations and best wishes to them all. We will follow their progress in sport and indeed their academic studies very closely as they move to High School next year. Our special thanks must go all at Ntolwane Primary School for nurturing this talent and of course to Monsignor Vladimir Felzmann (Father Vlad) and all at the John Paul II Foundation for Sport for sponsoring these awards that continue to inspire and motivate.”
We did it! 10,660 miles
The 2020 Yorkshire to South Africa run, walk or cycle challenge has been Completed.
The 2020 Yorkshire to South Africa run, walk or cycle challenge has been Completed.
We aimed to walk the distance from St. Mary's Menston to Mnyakanya High School, we actually did more. Thank you to everyone who took part in and supported in this challenge, which as the links below show, had a significant impact at Mnyakanya High School.
Also see the links below for other related stories about the Mnyakanya School Water Project:
Mnyakanya Water Project Completed and Making a Difference (12/10/2020)
Mnyakanya School Water Project moves quickly to make a difference (28/09/2020)
Otley Lions support Bambisanani Partnership in ambitious African Water Project (24/08/2020)
Bambisanani Partnership helps South African children return to school with water supply connection (23/07/2020)
VIDEO: Bambisanani Challenge 2020 Animation (17/07/2020)
Yorkshire to South Africa run, walk or cycle challenge will help save lives (07/07/2020)
The Bambisanani Partnership 2020 Challenge (11/06/2020)
Bambisanani Awards continue to inspire and motivate
The annual Bambisanani Awards were recently presented at Mnyakayana High School in KwaZulu-Natal to six talented students.
The annual Bambisanani Awards were recently presented at Mnyakayana High School in KwaZulu-Natal to six talented students.
From left to right: Bandile Ntanzi, Sthembile Dlezi, Nontethelelo Gasa, Sandile Mpungose, Sifiso Mnqayi, Siyabonga Mbambo
Mrs Pk Zondi, Bambisanani Co-ordinator at Mnyakanya School spoke of the importance of the prestigious annual awards: “The Bambisanani awards for 2020 had a great impact in motivating and awakening hope in Mnyakanya students, who were greatly demotivated by Covid 19 pandemic which disturbed the 2020 academic year; they have lifted spirits. Students were not sure whether their efforts in school activities would be fruitful or not. The award winners were so excited to be recognised for their efforts. They are motivated to do more at school and to attend classes actively. They developed higher self-esteem and self-confidence. They are a great inspiration to other learners who saw those receiving awards. I wish to thank the Bambisanani Partnership for introducing these inspirational awards. We especially remember at this time, Laurie McCauley and Sibonelo Magwaza who continue to motivate through the very special awards in their memory. Even though the Bambisanani volunteers were not with us this year for the presentation they were certainly with us in spirit.”
The recipients were clearly delighted with their awards:
John Paul II Foundation for Sport Sportswomen of the Year: Bandile Ntanzi said:
“I am very happy to be named as a Sportswomen of the Year. It will also inspire other learners. I have seen many students wishing to take pictures with me holding this award. I felt like a famous person! I do believe that my career in sports will be brighter in the future. Thank you very much to the Bambisanani Partnership for recognising me as the Sportswomen of the Year.”
Sthembile Dlezi won the Laurie McCauley Creative Writing Award:
"It is a great pleasure for me to win the Creative Writing award. I am very happy that my writing skills have been internationally recognised. This award is motivating me inexplicably. The award will definitely go a long way to make my future brighter because I will always mention this achievement in my Curriculum Vitae when applying for jobs! I wish to thank everyone involved in recognising me."
Having won two awards the multi-talented Nontethelelo Gasa could hardly contain her excitement:
“It is amazing, I can’t believe that it is me who is holding the Sibonelo Magwaza Award of an outstanding young leader and the True Spirit of Sport Award. Thank you very much to the Bambisanani Team. This makes me to see that my future is brightening. It’s like I have already received my final year results. I am really motivated to be more active in all school activities and hope to achieve more in future.”
No less excited was Sandile Mpungose who won the Laurie McCauley legacy Award for the Most Improved Footballer:
“Yesss , I’ve got it! I have been wishing to hold the Laurie award for many years. I was greatly inspired by the previous year’s award winners. I am very grateful that this year it is mine to hold. I am also hoping to inspire others. This makes me proud as a sports person. I also hope that my team mates will be very proud of me. This award motivates all of us as a team to work harder. I feel honoured and humbled. Thanks to all the Bambisanani team for making this happen.”
Sifiso Mnqayi was surprised with his award:
“I am Sifiso Mnqayi, a new grade 12 learner at Mnyakanya. It’s so exciting for me to be awarded with the ‘HELPING OTHERS ACHIEVE THEIR POTENTIAL AWARD’. I never thought that my teachers were appreciating what I do to this extent. So this award is really a surprise to me. At school I am organising peer teaching and group studies after school to encourage high achievement to my class mates. I also assist others with subjects that I know better. This award is really a great motivation to me and also to my class mates. I feel like I am a well-known person even internationally. I wish to pass my sincere gratitude to all who made this happen.”
John Paul II Foundation for Sport Sportsman of the Year Siyabonga Mbambo added:
“It is a great honour for me to be recognised with the Sportsman of the Year Award. I really like football and wish to be a professional player one day. This award is giving me hope for the future based on my present performance. I hope this will also encourage others in soccer. Ngiyabonga kakhulu kwiBambisanani Partnership.”
David Geldart from the partnership said:
“You only have to read the quotes above and see the photographs to get a sense of just how important these awards have become. Recognising and rewarding achievements is so important at any time but it is particularly significant in this very difficult and testing year. I congratulate all the award winners; they are truly outstanding – keep working hard; nothing succeeds like hard work, persistence and determination. Our thoughts are always with the wonderful McCauley and Magwaza families at this time. The awards in memory of Laurie and Sibonelo are both aspirational and inspirational – what a wonderful legacy. We also thank Monsignor Vladimir Felzman (Father Vlad) and the John Paul II Foundation for Sport for their fantastic support of the partnership and in particular helping to establish the annual awards which acknowledge the power of sport as a force for good. With the presentation and photographs over, many more students will now be aspiring to gain one of the prestigious awards in 2021!”
New Trustee appointment for Bambisanani Partnership
The Bambisanani Partnership has recently appointed Brogan O’Connor as a Trustee of the charity.
The Bambisanani Partnership has recently appointed Brogan O’Connor as a Trustee of the charity.
Brogan O'Connor Bambisanani Partnership Trustee
Brogan has been involved in the work of the partnership ever since visiting South Africa as a St. Mary’s School student. Her exceptional work as a Bambisanani volunteer in South Africa was recognised by her being awarded the prestigious Sbonelo Magwaza Award for ‘Outstanding Leadership’. Whilst at Northumbria University Brogan developed her passion for sport and international development by returning to Africa several times both as a volunteer and leader of volunteers. At university she held key leadership roles including being elected Student Sport President and Board Member of the Northumbria Sport Foundation. She went on to become the youngest Student Sport Participation Manager ever appointed at the university.
A clearly delighted Brogan said: “The Bambisanani Partnership is a charity that I support wholeheartedly, ever since my first visit to South Africa as a St. Mary’s student in 2011. In the 9 years since my visit to Mnyakanya I have remained in touch with the partnership and followed its work closely; I continue to be impressed and inspired by the amazing work being done between two brilliant communities. I couldn’t be more proud to be appointed as a Trustee and I am looking forward to working closely with the rest of the team to continue the amazing work the partnership does day in day out!”
Bambisanani Founder and Chairman, David Geldart added: “Quite simply Brogan is an outstanding young women who will bring much the partnership. Her exceptional track record in international volunteering, sport development and charity governance will enable her to make a significant contribution to the team who are committed to extending our work in one of South Africa’s most deprived areas using sport as a catalyst to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership. Brogan is both an outstanding leader and team player; her experience, ability and enthusiasm will enable us to have even greater impact in the future. Positive, proactive people that care always make a difference and we look forward to working with her.”
Brogan will join existing Board Members David Geldart, Darren Beardsley, Barbara Pounder, Andrew Lockwood and David Thorpe.
Bambisanani volunteer becomes trustee [WHAREFDALE OBSERVER]
Bambisanani volunteer becomes trustee [CATHOLIC UNIVERSE]
— The Bambisanani Partnership (@BambisananiPart) December 1, 2020
LISTEN: Wonderful interview this week with Lucas Radebe on the Matthew Lewis and Jermaine Beckford podcast (Doing a Leeds)
The Bambisanani Partnership is mentioned towards the end of the episode.
““You would not need to be a sports fan, football fan or Leeds United fan to really enjoy it. A great insight into one of the Leeds United Greats - Lucas Radebe (The Chief) - the interview is fascinating and inspirational with the humility and humanity of Lucas shining out.””
Lucas Radebe
LINK TO LISTEN:👂
The Bambisanani Partnership is mentioned towards the end of the episode.
Mathew, former St. Mary's Menston student, remains a big supporter of the Bambisanani Partnership.
Photos: Mathew Lewis playing in Bambisanani Partnership Fundraising Football Match when he was at St. Mary's.
