NEWS
City Honour for Bambisanani Partnership
The Bambisanani Partnership has been honoured in a prestigious event at Leeds Civic Hall. The annual Leeds Compassionate City Awards celebrate the positive work that individuals, community groups and organisations do every day to make their local communities and the city a great place to live, work and visit.
The Bambisanani Partnership has been honoured in a prestigious event at Leeds Civic Hall. The annual Leeds Compassionate City Awards celebrate the positive work that individuals, community groups and organisations do every day to make their local communities and the city a great place to live, work and visit.
The 2021 Awards Ceremony had been delayed because of Covid-19 and in all there were nine different categories recognised on the rearranged evening. Honoured guests and Civic dignitaries heard opening speeches about the importance of the annual awards from Leader of Leeds City Council, James Lewis, The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Asghar Khan, Councillor Mary Harland, Executive Member for Communities and Paul Money, Chief Officer for Safer, Stronger Communities.
The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Asghar Khan
The Bambisanani Partnership was Highly Commended in the Sport Project of the Year category which is sponsored by the Leeds United Foundation. Both Michael Kinsey from the Leeds United Foundation and Councillor Andrew Scopes spoke about the Sport Project Awards. The Bambisanani Partnership was praised for the inspirational ways that it uses the power sport to connect young people in Leeds and South Africa and in particular for the way that it had been determined to develop its work despite the impact of Covid-19. The distinguished guests heard how the partnership had created an International Athletics Challenge which linked schools in both countries digitally for coaching and competitions.
Over the last year, despite all the Covid chaos and disruption, 138 nine and ten year olds from rural South Africa and the Leeds joined together in this unique Bambisanani Partnership International Athletics Challenge. Albeit virtually, the challenge brought together four schools from the two countries to learn together in a range of fun athletic activities.
South African students from Vumanhlamvu Primary School in Nkandla and John Wesley Primary School in Eshowe connected with St. Mary’s Primary School, Horsforth and St. Joseph’s Primary, Pudsey in a range of running, jumping and throwing challenges that allowed students to learn about athletics with opportunities to compete ‘against themselves’, improving personal performance over time, as well as also competing against children in their school and significantly with children in all the other schools involved in both countries by comparing performances.
The programme gave great importance to all participants working hard to improve their own personal performance over time in six different events for both boys and girls: 50m run, 200m run, Standing Long Jump, Three Hop Jump, Tennis Ball Throw and Football Throw. Initially students were taught the basic activity and then established their own ‘personal best’ in each of the activities. Over the following weeks and months, the children were given the opportunity to practise, rehearse and experiment in order to improve their performances. A remarkable 76 students made significant progress over time in at least three different events and were awarded special certificates to recognise this. All four schools had their own competitions in the events which created 12 Champions in each school. The top three performers in each event received a certificate. Three very exciting 10-person x 40m relay events (Boys, Girls, Mixed) were also added for the International Competition. Each school submitted their best three performance in each of the 15 events for the international competition between schools. 126 International Competition medals (‘Bronze’, ‘Silver’ and ‘Gold’) were presented to the top three performers/teams in each event.
Such has been the enormous success of this innovative programme that more than twenty schools from Leeds and South Africa have already registered to participate in this year’s Bambisanani International Athletics Challenge.
Representing the Bambisanani Partnership on the evening were Catherine Chattoe, Bambisanani Co-ordinator at St. Mary’s, Menston, Barbara Pounder, teacher at St. Mary’s, Horsforth and Bambisanani Trustee and David Farmer, teacher at St. Joseph’s Pudsey and Bambisanani Primary lead.
Speaking on behalf of the charity Catherine Chattoe said, “It was absolutely fantastic to hear about so many wonderful projects and meet some of the remarkable people involved. To be even short listed for this occasion is a great achievement but to actually receive an award is an amazing honour which reflects so well on all the team involved in Bambisanani projects both here in Leeds and in South Africa. Massive thanks must go to all those involved in involved our International Athletics Challenge particularly the pupils and staff at St. Josephs Pudsey, St. Mary’s Horsforth and in South Africa, John Wesley Primary School in Eshowe and Vumanhlamvu Primary School in Nkandla. Thank you also to all those involved at Leeds City Council and the Leeds United Foundation for your tremendous support; these awards are very special and say so much about the great city of Leeds and our values.”
David Geldart, Founder and Chair of The Bambisanani Partnership added,” There is something very special, if not unique, about the power of sport to bring people together. Leeds has a fantastic sporting tradition and is highly committed to all levels of sport throughout the city so there was never going to be any shortage of great projects nominated for these prestigious awards. There is also of course a very powerful bond between the city of Leeds and South Africa so we are very proud to contribute to this special relationship through the work of the partnership.”
Over the past 15 years, under the banner of ‘working together and learning together’, the Bambisanani Partnership has engaged over 10,000 young people from both countries in a wide range of sports-based projects and programmes which aim to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership.
Charity connecting pupils from Leeds and South Africa [WHARFEDALE OBSERVER]
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Happy St. Patrick’s Day 2022 from all at the Bambisanani Partnership
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
Mnyakanya School celebrates best exam results ever!
Students jumped for joy on receiving the best ever Matriculation exam results at Mnyakanya School in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Together with St. Mary’s, Menston, Mnyakanya School helped found the multi-award winning Bambisanani Partnership in 2006.
Students jumped for joy on receiving the best ever Matriculation exam results at Mnyakanya School in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Together with St. Mary’s, Menston, Mnyakanya School helped found the multi-award winning Bambisanani Partnership in 2006.
Last year 72% of students passed the Matriculation exam, which was the best to date. This year, a remarkable 86% of students gained a pass.
The national Matric exam is based on Grade 12 students having to gain passes across a wide range of individual subjects. Of 97 students, 40 obtained a ‘Bachelor Pass’ which is the entry required for university. 28 students achieved a ‘Diploma Pass’ which is the entry requirement for Technical Colleges and 13 students gained the ‘Higher Certificate’ which can provide access to Vocational Colleges.
Mnyakanya is situated in one of the country’s most challenging rural regions with high levels of deprivation, unemployment and health issues. Life is tough at the best of times but the last two years has been particularly difficult with all that Covid has brought. Add to this, issues with both water and electricity supply and a period of civil disruption, then the results are even more amazing. Teachers at the school have provided many extra lessons after school, evenings and at weekends to help students prepare for the exams. This is even more remarkable when considering many of the students walk two hours to and from school each day.
Mrs Pk Zondi, Bambisanani Partnership coordinator at Mnyakanaya, reported ‘great excitement’ when the results were announced with community members rushing to the school to join the celebrations with singing and dancing. Many officials from the Municipality and Department of Education have subsequently visited the school to pass on their congratulations.
““We would not be in this position without the support of the Bambisanani Partnership and in particular St. Mary’s School, Leeds Trinity University and the University of Leeds. The partnership has been with us at our most challenging of times. The growing success of the school has led to a 40% increase in students wishing to attend and this despite having to walk long distances to do so. We would like to thank all those who have contributed to creating a better future for our young people.””
“We are overwhelmed with the results. This is great achievement and progress when you look at the challenges of recent years.””
““I simply cannot praise the educators and learners at Mnyakanya enough; in every sense they continue to go the extra mile. Their determination to succeed is genuinely inspirational. As a partnership our charity now works with primary schools, secondary schools, colleges and universities in both the UK and South Africa. Our work is about helping young people in both countries achieve their potential. Mnyakanya School provides an oasis of hope for young people; all those involved in our partnership will gain strength from these remarkable and thoroughly deserved results which have been achieved with limited material resources. Despite the challenges, we sincerely hope that as many students as possible will be able to continue their education. The partnership will continue to work with the school and others to provide bursaries for further and higher education where possible. My personal thanks must go to the Principal, Mr Siyabonga Ngubane and Mrs Pk Zondi for their vision and commitment to both their young people and the partnership; their leadership is changing the lives of so many young people through the power of education, sport and partnership. Massive congratulations to all at Mnyakanya!””
Mnyakanya School in Nkandla achieves highest matric results ever [ZULULAND OBSERVER]
Internationalism honour for The Bambisanani Partnership
The Bambisanani Partnership has been invited to become a partner of the British Council’s influential Internationalism Alliance.
The Bambisanani Partnership has been invited to become a partner of the British Council’s influential Internationalism Alliance.
Since 2006 the multi award winning, Leeds based charity has gained international acclaim for it work in South Africa using sport to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership in one of the countries most deprived rural areas. Over the past 15 years more than 10,000 young people from South Africa and the UK have engaged in Bambisanani projects and programmes. The work of the partnership now spans primary schools, secondary schools, colleges of further education and universities.
In a recent event celebrating the 15th Anniversary of the Bambisanani Partnership John Rolfe from the British Council said: "This partnership has developed some of the best international education programmes and practice in the world.”
The International Alliance aims to offer every child and young person in the United Kingdom, whatever their background or interests, the opportunity to learn from – and connect with – other people in the UK and around the world. The Alliance is committed to working with a range of partners in order to:
champion international and intercultural experiences for children and young people
advocate for increased opportunities for international learning
build resources to support high-quality international experiences.
There are over fifty Internationalism Alliance partners including: The Princes Trust, National Union of Students, Curious Minds, Voluntary Service Overseas, Scouts UK, Girl Guides. The Brilliant Club, Step up to Serve Network, Jane Goodall Institute, Tate Collective, Centre for International Learning and Leadership and the Economist Foundation.
Partners are part of a community of organisations working with young people who are committed to working collaboratively in order to:
identify priorities and work towards shared goals with other members
participate in regular, themed workshops and meetings
be part of advocacy campaigns to influence leaders and decision-makers to increase opportunities for young people
ensure young people’s voices are always part of the thinking.
The Alliance has already expressed an interest to use examples of Bambisanani programmes and projects as case studies of good practice.
David Geldart, Founder and Chair of the Bambisanani Partnership said; “It is a real honour to be invited by the British Council to become a partner in its influential Internationalism Alliance. Having already attended one meeting I was very impressed with the expertise, experience and commitment of fellow partners: the Bambisanani Partnership cannot fail to learn from this. In an increasing interrelated planet, all young people deserve the opportunity to broaden their horizons through a better understanding of the world and its peoples. International experiences give young people a wider perspective of the world and on life itself. Such experiences should form a vital part of every young person’s education; preparing them, and indeed their countries, to play their part in creating a better, more equal and sustainable world. The Bambisanani Partnership is delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to this goal.”
Jordan Sinnott's Family launch Charity
The Bambisanani Partnership is delighted that the family and friends of Jordan have established a charity in his name.
The Bambisanani Partnership is delighted that the family and friends of Jordan have established a charity in his name.
Like the Bambisanani Partnership, the charity will be using sport to change lives. We wish the charity all the very best and we look forward to working with them closely in the future.
2021 Bambisanani Highlights
The Bambisanani Partnership has gained international acclaim for its work in South Africa using sport to change lives. The considerable challenges posed by Covid 19 have not deterred the Menston based charity from its ground-breaking work; most projects have been sustained and new ones have actually been introduced.
The Bambisanani Partnership has gained international acclaim for its work in South Africa using sport to change lives. The considerable challenges posed by Covid 19 have not deterred the Menston based charity from its ground-breaking work; most projects have been sustained and new ones have actually been introduced.
David Geldart, Bambisanani Founder and CEO said: “Despite everything, or quite possibly because of everything, 2021 was a remarkably important and successful year for The Bambisanani Partnership. Covid restrictions have curtailed our exchange visits for the past two years but despite the frustration and disappointment at this we have continued to make exciting progress in many areas. Most significantly, our mindset has been to focus on the many things that COULD be done rather on things that could not. Existing connections and friendships have been strengthened, and very importantly, new relationships have been established during this time with schools, universities, organisations and individuals. All of this has provided us with new opportunities and an enhanced capacity to work in partnership with others. As a consequence, many of our existing programmes have continued to flourish and several new ones have been introduced. Many have said that we have succeeded ‘against all odds’ this year but our view is that ‘these odds’ have ‘simply’ made us look at things differently and more imaginatively in order to achieve our goals. We have learned and grown enormously as result.”
John Rolfe MBE from the British Council added:
“This partnership has developed some of the best international education programmes and practice in the world.”
Bambisanani Partnership Highlights from 2021
15th Anniversary of Working Together and Learning Together
2021 saw The Bambisanani Partnership mark its 15-year anniversary of ‘working together and learning together’ in South Africa and in the UK using sport to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership.
2021 saw The Bambisanani Partnership mark its 15-year anniversary of ‘working together and learning together’ in South Africa and in the UK using sport to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership.
Projects and Programmes developed over that time include:
The Bambisanani Leadership Programme has trained young sports leaders in both countries then brought them together in South Africa to jointly plan, deliver and evaluate community Sports Festivals, Reading Festivals and Numeracy Festivals for over 100 primary school children every year. Significantly, gaining the Bambisanani Leadership Award is seen a starting point not an end point. Young Leaders, from this programme, have gone to use their leadership skills in the most remarkable ways.
International exchange visits for teachers and students
Art through Sport Projects
Creative Writing through Sport Projects
Student led Enterprise Projects to support the partnership
Training of Community football coaches and referees
Education through Football Project (Premier Skills)
High School Bambisanani Award Scheme promoting Leadership, Enterprise and Global Citizenship at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels
University and Vocational College Scholarships
Achievement Awards established in both secondary and primary schools
Bambisanani Sports Leadership Award for primary school children
Primary School Sports Festivals
‘Cycling to Success’ programme which teaches young people how to ride and maintain bikes
Collaborative ‘virtual space’ training of Physical Education teachers and Sport Coaches
Bambisanani International Athletics Challenge that has brought primary school children together, albeit virtually, to learn, enjoy and compete in a range of fun athletic challenges
Four Bambisanani books have been published
Impact
More than 10,000 young people from both countries have engaged in a variety of Bambisanani projects and programmes
More than 3,000 students have participated Bambisanani Sports Festivals
More than 775 students have gained Bambisanani Leadership Awards
More than 280 UK students have volunteered on Bambisanani programmes in South Africa
More than 270 students have completed the Cycling to Success course
More than 1,200 South African students have been supported into school by the partnership
More than 1,700 students have participated in Bambisanani Reading Festivals
More than 650 students have participated in Art/Creative Writing through Sport projects
55 UK/SA teachers have visited each other’s countries on Exchange Visits
The work of The Bambisanani Partnership has been highlighted at 5 International Conferences
““Much of our life in the UK has become obsessed with materialism and ‘celebrity’. We have lost touch with things that really matter. My visit to South Africa has given me a much more meaningful perspective on life””
““We have worked together…people of different colours, countries, religions and cultures…we have proved it can be done””
““My world has just got bigger; I realise that it is my duty to be a global citizen””
““I have learned to help other people and I have learned that respect is everything. Through sport we have worked hand in hand- we have different colour skin and it does not matter. I am a leader now and I want to help my community””
““The Bambisanani Partnership has reminded me why I became a teacher.””
““There is a saying in Zulu culture: Umuntu ngumuntu ngumuntu which means ‘I am because you are’. This is the very spirit of The Bambisanani Partnership: it is what makes it an equal partnership in an unequal world, it is what creates the belief and hope that sustains and motivates our life changing work””
““South Africa has a history of people from abroad attempting to ‘serve’ the local community. Many of these missions’ flounder because they are designed to engender a feeling of goodwill more for the giver than the recipient. Bambisanani – working hand in hand – works because there is neither giver or receiver. Two groups from different ends of the planet, each borrowing from the culture of the other forge relationships through the medium of sport, changing perspectives of both from the experience.””
““The special relationship and legacy that Nelson Mandela spoke about in Leeds certainly continues through the outstanding and influential Bambisanani Partnership.””
““The partnership clearly has the power to change lives for the good and develop long-standing friendships across nations. Many schools around the world would benefit from knowing more about this partnership and adopting similar innovative approaches to genuinely enhancing young people’s lives””
Looking Forward
David Geldart, Founder and CEO of the multi award winning charity said, “I cannot thank the members of the Bambisanani team and our supporters enough for what has been achieved to date; the determination to succeed has been remarkable. Our focus now is very much on the future. Put simply, we have never been in a stronger position to move forward than we are now. We have ambitious plans for 2022 and with continued support we can continue to make a small but significant difference in the world.”
Rest in Peace Archbishop Desmond Tutu 1931–2021
His vision, courage and humanity made such a difference in the world. His wonderful spirit will live on if we can rise to the challenges and wisdom that he gave us.
His vision, courage and humanity made such a difference in the world. His wonderful spirit will live on if we can rise to the challenges and wisdom that he gave us.
“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”
“My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together.”
“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite the darkness.”
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.”
“Don’t raise your voice, improve your argument.”
VIDEO: Children from Vumanhlamvu School in South Africa wishing us all a Merry Christmas
Watch the video message
Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year from all the Bambisanani team
Ngikufisela Ukhisimusi Omuhle Nonyaka Omusha Omule
Ngikufisela Ukhisimusi Omuhle Nonyaka Omusha Omule
At Christmas, time deepens’ by John O’Donohue
At Christmas, time deepens. The Celtic imagination knew that time is eternity in disguise. They embraced the day as a sacred space. Christmas reminds us to glory in the simplicity and wonder of one day; it unveils the extraordinary that our hurried lives conceal and neglect. We have been given such immense possibilities. We desperately need to make clearances in our entangled lives to let our souls breathe. We must take care of ourselves and especially of our suffering brothers and sisters. Without realizing it, we are so privileged.
Picture by Lilly Rigby 7P, St. Mary’s Menston