NEWS
International Day of Sport for Development and Peace 2021
April 6 2021 is the United Nations’ (UN) International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, which recognises the power of sport in promoting peace and erasing cultural barriers worldwide.
April 6 2021 is the United Nations’ (UN) International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, which recognises the power of sport in promoting peace and erasing cultural barriers worldwide.
Leeds Trinity University South Africa Visit 2019
The International Day of Sport for Development and Peace 2021 is an opportunity to recognise the role that sport plays in communities, in individuals’ lives, in building resilience and in the recovery from the Coronavirus pandemic.
Sport can cross boundaries, defy stereotypes, improve our physical and emotional health, and inspire hope across nations, but we will only be able to get back to this, if we recover better and help end the pandemic by helping ensure everyone is protected from COVID-19.
Let’s level the playing field and recover better. #OnlyTogether will we play again.
International Day of Sport for Development and Peace [UN.ORG]
““Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire, it has the power to unite people in a way that little else does.””
Happy St. Patrick’s Day 2021 from all at the Bambisanani Partnership 2021
May the strength of God pilot us,
May the wisdom of God instruct us,
May the hand of God protect us,
May the Salvation, O Lord, be always ours,
this day and for evermore,
Amen.
– St. Patrick
May the strength
of God pilot us,
May the wisdom
of God instruct us,
May the hand
of God protect us,
May the Salvation,
O Lord, be always ours,
this day and for evermore,
Amen.
–St. Patrick
VIDEO: Exam success at Mnyakanya School
There were joyous scenes this week at Mnyakanya High School when students and staff celebrated some quite remarkable Grade 12 Matric examination results.
There were joyous scenes this week at Mnyakanya High School when students and staff celebrated some quite remarkable Grade 12 Matric examination results.
The national Matric exam is based on students having to gain passes across a wide range of individual subjects. Of 126 students, 91 (72%) passed with 49 obtaining the higher ‘Bachelor Pass’ which is the entry requirement for university. 27 students achieved the ‘Diploma Pass’ which is the entry requirement for Technical Colleges and 16 students gained the ‘Higher Certificate’ which can give them access to Vocational Colleges.
Exam success at Mnyakanya School
Life is challenging enough at the best of times at Mnyakanya School which serves one of the most deprived areas in South Africa. This last year has been particularly difficult. School closures due to Covid-19 as well as major issues with both water and electricity supply meant that teachers had to work exceptionally hard in order to complete courses and prepare examination classes. Teachers at the school provided additional weekend and evening classes. Mrs Pk Zondi, Bambisanani co-ordinator at the school, reported some classes going on until 3am in the morning! This is even more remarkable when you consider that for many of these students getting to school involves a two hour walk.
Mrs Zondi and the Principal, Mr Ngubane praised the contribution of the Bambisanani Partnership to these results notably through the ‘Water Project’ which brought clean water to the school (allowing it to reopen) and through the Computer Suite which has been a significant aid to teaching and learning.
Exam success at Mnyakanya School
David Geldart from the partnership said: “Massive congratulations to all the students and teachers at Mnyakanya on these wonderful results. Their hard work, dedication and commitment is both amazing and inspirational; the success that they have achieved has not come easily and is most thoroughly deserved. We know that this is another challenge but we sincerely hope that as many students as possible will be able to pursue their education further; they deserve that opportunity. Mr Ngubane aims for the school to be ‘competing with the very highest performing schools in South Africa’ and we wish him and his team all the very best in their mission to provide their young people with the education they deserve.”
““Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.””
Vumanhlamvu: Rising from the Ashes
A few months ago terrible wildfires destroyed the ten homes of 21 Vumanhlamvu Primary School children which resulted in the Bambisanani Partnership hastily arranging an auction of sporting memorabilia that raised the necessary funds to help out.
A few months ago terrible wildfires destroyed the ten homes of 21 Vumanhlamvu Primary School children which resulted in the Bambisanani Partnership hastily arranging an auction of sporting memorabilia that raised the necessary funds to help out.
Before Christmas we reported that rebuilding work had started by the families and local community members using the building materials that we were able to supply. William Vilakazi, Principal of Vumanhlamvu School, now informs us that all the building is complete and that the families have returned to their new homes. The additional learning resources that the partnership provided for the school are all in place and are already having an impact.
Mrs Mpungose from the local community said: ''Fire destroyed my two rondavels last year full of all my clothes and those of my four grandchildren. We were sleeping in a temporary shack the past few months. I am very happy that I am now the owner of a strong proper house. My grandchildren had nothing to attend school with; they are now happily attending school with new uniforms. As a single grandmother depending on a social grant to survive to rebuild a house was very difficult for me. I would like to thank all the people from UK who contributed to this housing project for their kindness and humanity. God bless you all. Thank you Bambisanani.”
Mrs Linda added: ''It was a blessing to have Mr Vilakazi in our school - through his friendship with UK people our community benefitted a lot. My husband passed away 15 years ago, we could not afford to build a brick house. Fire ruined our mud rondavels and all I owned. I live with my three grandchildren, it is difficult to raise them and put food on the table. I am so out of words to express how I feel for what the Principal and the Bambisanani Partnership have done for me and other members of community who were involved in the disastrous damage caused by fire to our homes. Our children are now able to go to school in a full uniform coming from a shelter well built with material from your project not forgetting to mention the food that you provided when we were helpless and in need. We are so grateful that you extended your hand to help others, May God bless you all. ''
Members of William’s staff are clearly delighted with new resources that our fund raising was able to provide:
“ “We would like to pass our sincere gratitude to the Bambisanani Partnership for sponsoring our school and for assisting our Learners with learning materials. For us teaching will be much easier with concrete materials. We would like to say ‘Big Up Bambisanani, Big Up’.””
““I would like to thank Bambisanani for assisting our learners with sports and learning materials that they are enjoying both in class and outside of class.”
”
““We wish to express our sincere gratitude for the support of learning and sports equipment we received. This will assist us a great deal towards achieving our vision for the school. We shall now achieve our objectives sooner than expected.””
““We would like thank Bambisanani for your generous donation. We are thrilled to have your support. A healthy mind lives in a healthy body and through your donation we have been able to accomplish the goal of engaging our learners in sports activities and will continue using materials throughout the years.””
It is difficult to believe that for around £5,000 we were able to provide all the building materials for the new homes, emergency food and blankets, replacement clothes and school uniforms plus the sports equipment and other educational resources. Such is the value of being able to work quickly and directly with members of the local community. This project has been a tremendous success at every level and our thanks must go to the local community building volunteers, William and his staff at Vumanhlamvu Primary School, Nick Phillips and Graham Chennells from Eshowe Rotary Club (who provide amazing support for most of our projects) and of course our wonderful sponsors and supporters. It’s always a great team effort when these things go well.
William also reports that his school, situated in one of the country’s poorest regions, is very much ‘on the up’ with increased enrolment in January from 540 to 582. Long may this continue. As Educator, Miss Kganyago might just say: “Big Up Vumanhlamvu, Big Up!"
Menston based charity helps community rise from the ashes [BRADFORD TELEGRAPH & ARGUS]
Also see related Vumanhlamvu stories:
Jordan Sinnott honoured in South Africa (17/12/2020)
Christmas Message from the Vumanhlamvu community (24/12/2020)
Aid delivered and Rebuilding begins in the Vumanhlamvu community (03/10/2020)
Going, going gone: Bambisanani Partnership Auction raises over £4,000 (15/09/2020)
Auction to support children who have lost everything in South African fire disaster (07/09/2020)
Matthew Lewis becomes Patron
Harry Potter star and past St. Mary’s student, Matthew Lewis, becomes Patron of the Bambisanani Partnership.
Harry Potter star and past St. Mary’s student, Matthew Lewis, becomes Patron of the Bambisanani Partnership.
Matthew Lewis, who starred as Neville Longbottom in the Harry Potter film series is to become the Patron of the multi-award winning Bambisanani Partnership charity which has gained international acclaim for its pioneering work in rural South Africa using sport as a catalyst to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership. The charity began its life fourteen years ago at Matthew’s former school, St. Mary’s School, Menston and now involves the University of Leeds and Leeds Trinity University in delivering a range of projects and programmes in collaboration with South African partners
David Geldart, Chair and Founder of the Partnership said: “Matthew became involved in Bambisanani Partnership activities when he was at school and despite his busy acting schedule, he has remained in contact ever since, supporting us in a variety of ways. Regardless of his fame and celebrity, Matthew remains a very modest, unassuming and well-grounded young man who wants to make a difference in the world. He really understands what the charity is about and the challenges that we face in South Africa; it is absolutely fantastic to have him involved in this formal capacity as our Patron.”
Matthew added: “It’s a real honour for me to become the Patron for the Bambisanani Partnership. Having attended St. Mary’s School, I got to see first-hand the excellent work the partnership was doing in improving lives, not only in KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa but also here in the UK. It truly is a partnership where everybody involved gains and has their lives enriched. To quote The Beatles, ‘the love you take is equal to the love you make’ and I believe the Bambisanani Partnership is a perfect example of that. I’ve watched David Geldart and his team pour so much passion into this project and it go from strength to strength. I now feel very lucky, that more than a decade out of school, I am able to give something back and get involved myself. Not to mention that South Africa has been “home” for me a couple of times throughout my career and I have some of the fondest memories of my life there - I look forward very much to working with the partnership for years to come.”
Following the Harry Potter series, Matthew has since gone on to appear in films including The Rise and Me Before You. He can currently be seen as the lead opposite Rose Matafeo in newly released romcom produced by Taika Waititi’s production company Baby, Done. Television credits include award winning BBC drama Ripper Street, The Syndicate, Bluestone 42 and BAFTA award winning drama Happy Valley. He recently had a stand out role in Kay Mellor’s new series for ITV Girlfriends and can currently be seen starring in Channel 5’s new flagship drama All Creatures Great and Small, which has also had great international success on PBS Masterpiece. Matthew’s stage credits include Verdict (Bill Kenwright Ltd) and Our Boys (Duchess) and Unfaithful (Found111).
Over the past fourteen years, the Bambisanani Partnership has involved more than 10,000 students from South Africa and the UK. 280 students from St. Mary’s School, The University of Leeds and Leeds Trinity have volunteered in South Africa, delivering a variety of programmes and projects. 775 South African students have gained the Bambisanani Leadership Award and over 3,000 South African students have participated in Bambisanani Sports Festivals. 280 South African students have completed the partnerships ‘Cycling to Success’ programme. With more ambitious plans for the future the partnership is clearly delighted to have Matthew on the team.
Harry Potter star to become charity patron [ILKLEY GAZETTE]
Matthew Lewis named Bambisanani Partnership patron [THE MEDIA EYE]
Harry Potter star new patron of UK-SA partnership [ZULULAND OBSERVER]
Harry Potter star to be patron of Bambisanani Partnership [THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSE]
Matthew Lewis Becomes Patron of Bambisanani Partnership Charity [MUGGLE.NET]
Cycling to Success in South Africa
Abandoned bikes from the University of Leeds are enjoying a new lease of life in rural South Africa thanks to an ongoing project led by the universities sport development team and local charity, The Bambisanani Partnership.
Abandoned bikes from the University of Leeds are enjoying a new lease of life in rural South Africa thanks to an ongoing project led by the universities sport development team and local charity, The Bambisanani Partnership.
Bambisanani Partnership Cycling to Success Programme 15 June 2016 CC BY-SA 3.0
Over the last four years the bikes have found their way to Mnyakanya High School in Kwa-Zulu Natal to support the charities inspirational ‘Cycle to Success’ programme.
Each summer staff and students from the University of Leeds and Leeds Trinity University travel to South Africa to deliver a week of cycling based activities to pupils at the school. Travel to and from school in these remote areas can be challenging with some pupils walking two hours every day to access education. The University students and staff spend a week teaching pupils how to ride and maintain bikes – a commonplace skill in the UK but a life changing and mobilising one over in this part of South Africa! The programme ultimately helps pupils develop confidence and skills which support them to remain in the education system as well as the mechanical skills needed to keep the bikes moving long term.
Through partnership work in the UK with university campus Sustainability and Security Services more than 20 bikes a year are refurbished and shipped to Mnyakanya along with new bikes acquired through University and Bambisanani Partnership fundraising and spare parts and tools funded by the Rob Stephenson Trust. The generous support of Manchester based shipping giants, Cardinal Maritime means the bikes are transported free of charge. Many of the old bikes are damaged when they are acquired so university staff and students give up their time to repair them to make sure they are safe and functional when they arrive in the port in Durban. The university student volunteers receive sports leadership and cycling proficiency training in the UK before travelling to South Africa to teach children aged 12-15 how to ride the bikes in just one week.
30-35 South African pupils are supported to learn regardless of their starting point – some have never sat on a bike before, whilst others progress quickly learning how to signal and ride safely on open roads. Pupils are also supplied with bikes parts such as inner tubes and brake cables and taught how to repair the bikes which inevitably break down more quickly on the dirt roads around the school. The bikes stay in a hub at the school, being loaned out to pupils to break down the barrier of transport to school where one exists. Additionally, students from Leeds and Mnyakanya also join together in a wide range of cultural activities with traditional singing, dancing and sports activities taking place after school each day.
For the past fourteen years the Yorkshire based charity, The Bambisanani Partnership has worked in one of South Africa’s most deprived rural areas using sport as a catalyst to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership. The charity has gained international acclaim for its work and the university involvement has taken this to new heights, with the Mnyakanya bike hub and ‘Cycle to Success’ project being the brainchild of University of Leeds Professional Development Manager, Andrew Lockwood. Andrew was approached in 2015 by The Bambisanani Partnership to support the expansion of their work in South Africa to involve staff and students from the University of Leeds. Andrew accompanied a group from the projects founding school, St. Mary’s in Menston on a fact-finding mission that year. Using his expertise and experience in the field of sport development, Andrew engaged with teachers and pupils to understand some of the challenges faced in accessing education and future employment and the idea of the bike hub was born.
Mrs Pk Zondi, Bambisanani Coordinator at Mnyakanya High School said: "Cycling was not that familiar in our community until this initiative was introduced four years ago. Since then it has become part of the lives of many learners. During lockdown, when schools were closed, they were so excited to be using the bikes. I could not believe to see even the elder people in the community showing interest in cycling. Mnyakanya young cyclists inspired the elder, who in turn decided to fix and renew their old bikes that had never been used for years and years. Some of those old bikes were brought to these young cyclists to fix them. We do not have enough words to pass on our gratitude and thanks to the University of Leeds and Leeds Trinity University for changing the lives of our young people.”
Community member Senzo Mdlalose added: “It is so amazing to see the interest of cycling growing like this our community. I volunteered in assisting these young people if they have some challenges in repairing their bikes. Cycling is help the young people not to involve themselves in doing bad things. I make sure that they follow the rules of Covid 19 while they are using and fixing the bikes. I so wish that this cycling project may grow stronger.”
“I love cycling. Sometimes I compete with my friends in a distance of about 10 kilometers or more. Cycling has become my daily activity, especially if there is no school. Many people on the road show an exciting interest in our cycling activity. We hear people hooting their taxis and others clapping their hands to encourage our cycling competition. Many people stop and watch what we do. I would like to thank Leeds University and Leeds Trinity University for introducing cycling to us." - Asanda Gabela
“I am so grateful that I can ride and fix my bicycle for myself. It is now easier for me when my parents send me to a place that is far from home because I use a bike to take that journey. I can ride as many times as I can, even if the weather conditions are bad. The bikes also help me to get to school earlier and faster. When there are heavy rains my books and my school uniform are not getting too wet if I am riding a bike. It is so exciting that the bikes have changed our lives for better. May God bless The Bambisanani Partnership and the Leeds university teams for changing our lives.” - Sakhile Magwaza
"Thank you very much to The Bambisanani Partnership for donating the bikes to us, and also for offering riding and fixing training. Our lives are becoming easier with bikes. This is all very exciting! Almost all young people in my community like to learn cycling. We also use the bikes for sports and as a transport. Many people in this community have developed the love of cycling. People ride the bikes to work, to their relatives, to shops and others to school. Bikes are so helpful and save money." - Bonginkosi Magwaza
“Cycling is greatly appreciated by our local soccer team. The Bambisanani bikes are used by our team for physical training. Using the bikes has encouraged active participation in our fitness work. Players really enjoy using bikes for exercising and are motivated. Thank you very much to the Bambisanani team.” - Mholi Hlabisa
Parallel to the impact on the recipients of the bikes, the impression on the skills and values of the UK students is huge. Skills auditing before, during and after the intervention saw students develop 10 top graduate level skills by an average of 31% from start to completion. “I’m proud to say I helped teach 30 kids how to ride a bicycle in just a few days. I am however even prouder to say that a group of 30 kids have taught me more than I could have ever imagined. I discovered the perseverance the children had as well as the importance of Zulu culture in those same couple of days!” said Franki Darko, a University of Leeds student who visited Mnyakanya in 2018.
Despite an unscheduled pause in the project this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic both here in the UK and in South Africa, the legacy of the last four years continues. Since 2016:
70 used bikes have been refurbished and shipped to Mnyakanya High School with the support of University of Leeds Security and Sustainability and Cardinal Maritime
80 new bikes have also been purchased and shipped through student and staff fundraising and The Bambisanani Partnership
Tools and consumables to the value of £10k have also been provided thanks to the support of the Rob Stephenson Trust and The Bambisanani Partnership
Over 120 South African children have been supported to learn to ride and maintain bikes
59 University of Leeds and Leeds Trinity students and staff have been involved in the project
Andrew Lockwood, who is now a Trustee of The Bambisanani Partnership said: “Setting up the bike hub at Mnyakanya has been hugely beneficial to all involved, not only the recipients of the bikes, but also the University staff and students who are able to develop outstanding professional skills and personal values through this unique challenge. The hub is now clearly embedded at Mnyakanya and in the surrounding community and we now hope to expand the project to further rural schools in the area over the next few years”.
David Geldart Founder and Chair of The Bambisanani Partnership added: “This initiative has clearly had a remarkable impact both on those receiving the training and those providing the training. Andrew and the university teams deserve enormous credit for pioneering this inspirational work. It has been absolutely wonderful to see cycling introduced to this remote rural area. For the Mnyakanya students, and indeed in the wider community, we have seen a growing interest in cycling as a mode of transport, for sport, recreation, fitness training and for some, a source of employment! There is a real desire in the community for this initiative to grow further and indeed in other communities for it to be introduced. It really has been a tremendous success; I would like to congratulate and thank everyone involved for making this amazing project happen.”
For more information about The Bambisanani Partnership please contact David Geldart: d.geldart@bambisananipartnership.org
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
