NEWS
VIDEO: Congratulations to Lucy Moorby winner of the Sbonelo Magwaza Award for Outstanding Leadership.
The prestigious Sbonelo Magwaza trophy was this year awarded to Lucy Moorby for her outstanding commitment and contribution to the Bambisanani Partnership.
The prestigious Sbonelo Magwaza trophy was this year awarded to Lucy Moorby for her outstanding commitment and contribution to the Bambisanani Partnership.
Lucy visited South Africa in 2019 as part of the St. Mary’s team and made a significant impact in her volunteering work. Mrs Catherine Chattoe, Bambisanani Co-ordinator at St. Mary’s praised Lucy’s exceptional contribution to the partnership and leadership qualities.
The award remembers Sbonelo Magwaza, a wonderful Mnyakanya student who successfully completed the Bambisanani Partnership Leadership course some years ago before sadly passing away after a short illness. Both St. Mary’s School and Mnyakanya School present this special award annually. Sbonelo was an inspirational young man who continues to inspire through these very special awards. Well done to Lucy who is a most worthy winner and an inspiration herself.
A delighted Lucy said:
“I am so happy to receive this award, it is such an honour. I love the Bambisanani Partnership and will continue to support it’s important work.”
Support from Bettys & Taylors Group
Special thanks to Bettys and Taylors Group who have recently provided valuable help to the partnerships work in South Africa.
Special thanks to Bettys & Taylors Group who have recently provided valuable help to the partnership’s work in South Africa. Through their Good Cause Award scheme they donated £1000 for Vumanhlamvu Primary School in rural KwaZulu-Natal to enhance Literacy, Numeracy and Sport. The school is situated in one the countries most deprived areas and has very limited resources; the funding will make a significant difference in educational provision.
Mr William Vilakazi, Principal of the school said: “On behalf of my learners and educators I would like to thank Bettys and Taylors Group and the Bambisanani Partnership charity so much for the wonderful support which will have a tremendous impact at our school. The funding will help us to raise standards, spirits and expectations.”
Bettys and Taylors, through their community recycling project, the Cone Exchange, have also provided knitted baby clothing for both the Vumanhlamvu community and the neighbouring Mnyakanya community which is equally impoverished with a large number of orphans. The clothing is much needed in the high rural hills which experience very cold winters.
Christmas Message from the Vumanhlamvu community
As we approach towards the end of the year, we as Vumanhlamvu the community would like to thank the Bambisanani Partnership for everything you have done for us. You showed us the spirit of Ubuntu (humanity) when fires devastated us.
As we approach towards the end of the year, we as the Vumanhlamvu community would like to thank the Bambisanani Partnership for everything you have done for us. You showed us the spirit of Ubuntu (humanity) when fires devastated us.
Aid delivered and Rebuilding begins in the Vumanhlamvu community, October 2020
We have shelters where we sing Christmas carol like everyone during festive season in our community through your kindness , you restored our dignity and confidence to our children at school by providing us with school uniform and food. Our prayers will be with you during this challenging times of Covid 19.
We would like to wish all those who supported us a merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. We are what we are today because of you. We will never forget your contributions.
With kind regards
William
VIDEO: Christmas Message from Mnyakanya School read by Caitlin Copsey from St. Mary's School Chapel
Message to the St. Mary’s school community
Message to the St. Mary’s school community
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.”