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Bambisanani Partnership schools lead the way in Pope Francis’ call for Sport for All
Member schools of the Bambisanani Partnership from the Nkandla region of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa and from Leeds in the UK have become the first schools in the world to pledge their support to Pope Francis’ global appeal to make sport more cohesive, accessible and inclusive.
Member schools of the Bambisanani Partnership from the Nkandla region of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa and from Leeds in the UK have become the first schools in the world to pledge their support to Pope Francis’ global appeal to make sport more cohesive, accessible and inclusive.
At the Global Sport for All Summit last September, Pope Francis outlined the potential of sport as a positive force in society. The Summit was a multifaith event attended by 250 delegates from 40 countries representing the world’s leading sporting organisations and practitioners. The aim was to discuss and promote the social and inclusive dimension of sport in society. It was in response to Pope Francis’ encouragement of sport that is socially responsible and his appeals to foster sport as a means of human, educational and spiritual growth. The Summit produced a Declaration calling on all those involved to commit to making sport more cohesive, accessible and tailored to each person. With the momentum and guidance of the experts convened at the Summit, participants pledged to walk together – communiter – to achieve common goals and aspirations. On the final day of the Summit, delegates signed the Sport for All Declaration in the presence of Pope Francis. As such, signatories committed to bringing the Declaration to life. Fundamental to this task is the understanding that the Declaration is not just a statement of principles, but a Declar-Action, an invitation to concrete actions; using the power of sport for the future of society. Subsequently, an online version of the Declaration has become available to sign.
In his speech to delegates Pope Francis said: “I encourage you to strive to make sport a home for everyone, something open and welcoming. In this home, never lose the family spirit, for in this way, we may find brothers, sisters and friends in the world of sport. I am close to you in this mission; the Church supports you in this educational and social commitment.”
The first group of schools from the UK to sign the Declaration was The Bishop Wheeler Catholic Academy Trust of 13 schools from Leeds, including individual commitments from high school, St. Mary’s, Menston (Bambisanani Partnership Founding School), and primary schools: St. Mary’s, Horsforth, St. Joseph’s, Otley; St Joseph’s, Knaresborough and St. Joseph’s, Harrogate. The first schools in South Africa to sign were Mnyakanya High School (Bambisanani Founding School) and Vumanhlamvu Primary School.
David Geldart signing the declaration at the Vatican
The Bambisanani Partnership charity works with schools in the UK and South Africa using the power of sport to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership; bringing young people from both countries together in order ‘to work together and learn together’. The charity has gained international acclaim for its pioneering work and its Founder David Geldart was a delegate at the Summit. David said: “It was a great honour to attend this landmark Summit and of course to meet Pope Francis who truly believes in the potential of sport as a force for good in the world. I am absolutely delighted that our schools from Leeds and the remote Nkandla region of South Africa have become the first schools in their respective countries, and indeed the world, to sign the Declaration and show their commitment to the power of sport within education. Hopefully more schools throughout the world will now follow.Organisations and individuals from around the world have now signed the Declaration. First to sign the Declaration at the Summit was Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, so we are in good company! The potential of high quality, inclusive Physical Education and Sports programmes in our schools, colleges and universities to make a unique and significant contribution in this area is enormous. Educational establishments throughout world that value sport and believe passionately that it should genuinely be for all; cohesive, accessible and inclusive, should sign the Declaration, they could add so much to what needs to be a ‘team effort’. I would love to see a network of schools, colleges and universities through the world commit to this challenge and work collaboratively as advocates to share best practices, celebrate success and support each other in solidarity. In our small way the Bambisanani Partnership has got the ball rolling. If you share this vision of sport, you are very much invited to play!”
Darren Beardsley, CEO of the Bishop Wheeler Catholic Academy Trust said: “As an Academy Trust of 13 schools, we are delighted to be able to support the Sport for All summit declaration. We witness the power of sport in our schools on a daily basis and how it can be used to enhance the wider skills and development of our pupils. Sport plays an important role in social cohesion and this is particularly important when we take into account the challenges faced by wider society in today's world. The declaration highlights the importance of sport being cohesive, accessible and tailored. Our schools are welcoming organisations, where we work with our communities to meet the needs of all individuals, therefore our values and mission align with that of the declaration. Finally, the Declaration is a call to Declar-Action and we are privileged to be part of such a dynamic agreement.”
Those who wish to support declaration can sign it on the website www.sportforall.va
Also see related:
Bambisanani Review 2022: Charity Leader praises volunteers and supporters for outstanding year
2022 has been an outstanding year for the Bambisanani Partnership, the Menston based charity that continues to gain national and international acclaim for its work in South Africa using the power of sport and education to change lives.
2022 has been an outstanding year for the Bambisanani Partnership, the Menston based charity that continues to gain national and international acclaim for its work in South Africa using the power of sport and education to change lives.
Despite considerable challenges posed by Covid 19, the charity has demonstrated great determination, resilience and creativity in not only sustaining its ground breaking work but developing it in many significant areas. This year saw the number of young people from South Africa and the UK who have participated in Bambisanani projects and programmes rise to more than 10,500 over the past 16 years.
Leader of the partnership, David Geldart said: “Despite the frustration and disappointment of student volunteer visits to South Africa not being possible for the third successive year because of Covid we have continued to focus on what we CAN DO rather than on what we cannot. The amazing Bambisanani team from both countries has grown to more than fifty volunteers as a result of new projects being developed on the ground and new relationships being established. Members of the UK team have managed to visit South Africa in order to develop these relationships and begin preparations for no less than five groups of students to visit in 2023. We have used the last three years to develop a fantastic base from which to launch future initiatives, in fact we have never been in a stronger or better position to advance the work of the partnership. All of this is only possible because of our remarkable team and our supporters; my sincere thanks must go to each and every one of them for their unique contributions that continue to take us forward together in a spirit of Ubuntu. Much has been achieved and indeed recognised externally in 2022 but our focus now is on the year ahead. We are really excited by the prospect of 2023 and making our most ambitious plans to date a reality. We are committed to bringing young people together from both countries in order that they may work together and learn together. With your continued support we fully intend to ‘go far’.”
Bambisanani Partnership Highlights from 2022
A very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Bambisanani team🎄
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Zulu Proverb
🎄
Members of the Bambisanani team from the UK and South Africa would like to wish you a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
uKhisimusi omuhe nonyaka omusha omuhle
Many thanks for all your tremendous help and support that enables us to do all that we do
Ngiyabonga kakhulu
Shirts for Jordan: Sinnott 25 Football Shirts bring joy in South Africa
The tragic death of professional footballer Jordan Sinnott in 2020 gave rise to the now famous ‘Shirts for Jordan’ campaign. An idea that was initially discussed around the Sinnott kitchen table went global.
The tragic death of professional footballer Jordan Sinnott in 2020 gave rise to the now famous ‘Shirts for Jordan’ campaign. An idea that was initially discussed around the Sinnott kitchen table went global.
It was hoped that a few shirts would be donated by some professional clubs in memory of Jordan for children in need. Very quickly all the Premier League, Championship and Football League clubs had donated shirts bearing Jordan’s name and age: Sinnott 25. Leading players and managers paid their respects to Jordan. The intention was that the shirts would go to children who needed them - where they would be appreciated and make a real difference. The world of football responded nationally and then internationally. More than 882 shirts from professional, amateur, youth and school teams were donated from more than 28 different countries. These shirts were displayed at Jordan’s funeral which was held at Bradford City FC. The shirts have subsequently gone around the world to some of the poorest children on the planet who love the game of football and other sports.
Jordan was a great supporter of the Bambisanani Partnership that started in his former school, St. Mary’s, Menston. For the last sixteen years the multi award winning charity has worked in one of South Africa’s most deprived rural areas in KwaZulu-Natal using the power of sport to change lives. David Geldart who founded the partnership had worked with Jordan since he was at primary school through to him becoming a professional footballer. Sinnott 25 shirts have recently arrived at two Bambisanani schools in South Africa, Mnyakanya High School and Vumanhlamvu Primary School, where they are being used for football, netball and PE lessons.
David said; “When I first visited South Africa it was remarkable to see just how important football was to the Zulu community. My first experience was watching a large group of youngsters playing barefoot on rough ground using plastic bags tied together as their football. Despite few homes having electricity or TV’s the children had an amazing knowledge of world football and in particular the Premier League. Over the years, in partnership with the local community, we have been able bring some much-needed football equipment to the area to develop the game and coach education. In addition to this we also use football-based resources to promote literacy and numeracy in schools. To have a ‘real’ football shirt is something incredibly special for these children and perhaps more appreciated than in more affluent parts of the world where such a possession can all too often be taken for granted. Jordan cared about many things and he was certainly very taken with our work in South Africa and the power of sport to make a real difference in the world. Jordan’s mum, Mel, gave the partnership 100 of these shirts for South Africa but Covid struck and effectively stopped our visits for almost two and a half years. I didn’t dare risk posting such precious cargo and wanted the shirts to be delivered in person by some of our team which we were able to do recently. It is absolutely amazing what joy and excitement these shirts have brought to Mnyakanya High School and Vumanhlamvu Primary School, both set in the remote rural hills of Nkandla. The impact is simply phenomenal and really has to be seen to be believed. Jordan would have loved to see this and I know how much this amazing legacy means to Jordan’s family.”
William Vilakazi Principal of Vumanhlanvu Primary School said, “It is an absolute honour to have these famous shirts that remember Jordan in our school. We serve a very poor community where sports equipment is difficult to come by. These shirts will be kept at the school and used by different learners for sports; we will use them for soccer matches as well. We have annual awards in memory of Jordan and the football shirts will be a constant reminder about striving to be the best that you can be. These shirts connect young people globally in sport; what a wonderful legacy that is for Jordan and his family!”
“To have young people in South Africa with the Sinnott name on their backs makes our whole family very proud.” Tom Sinnott, Jordan’s brother
An absolutely wonderful book has been produced which includes photographs of all the shirts donated. All proceeds go to the Jordan Sinnott Foundation Trust
Also see related articles:
Jordan Sinnott honoured in South Africa (17/12/2020)
Bambisanani Awards remember Jordan in South Africa (10/12/2021)
St. Mary's Menston Bambisanani Hamper Raffle Winners
Results Announcement
Results Announcement
Congratulations to Olivia Healy who is a Year 12 student at St. Mary's Menston and the winner of the Luxury Christmas Hamper . Olivia is pictured with Poppy Phillips and Eleanor Rock who organised the raffle to raise funds for The Bambisanani Partnership.
Congratulations to Eleanor Caden who is a Year 9 student at St. Mary's Menston and the winner of the Christmas Chocolate Hamper. This raffle was organised by the Year 12 and 13 Bambisanani students who will be working in South Africa next year.
Special Christmas messages from the Bambisanani founding schools
St. Mary’s, Menston and Mnyakanya School in South Africa founded the Bambisanani Partnership together sixteen years ago.
St. Mary’s, Menston and Mnyakanya School in South Africa founded the Bambisanani Partnership together sixteen years ago.
The annual Christmas messages to each other reflect the special bond that exists between the two schools and their commitment to ‘work together and learn together’.
St. Mary’s Menston
A Christmas message to Mnyakanya High School, 2022
Dear friends, Ubuntu.
Our Avent theme this year is:
Faith Hope Joy Love Light
We are two communities joined by Faith and we share a mutual Love of one another.
Our partnership brings unimaginable Joy to so many and our Hope is that our work continues for generations to come.
We pray that God’s Light shines upon you all during this blessed season of Advent and especially so this Christmas.
With love from St. Mary’s community.
Mnyakayna High School
A Christmas message from Mnyakanya High School in South Africa to St. Mary’s Menston
This is a special time of the year when we at Mnyakanya High School take our time to look back and count our blessings for the year we have just had.
We would like to say that St. Mary’s Menston has been a great blessing to the Mnyakanya community over the last 16 years.
The love that you have shown us, has healed the wounds of many people in our community.
St. Mary’s have become part of the Mnyakanya family and its community. It is unbelievable that St. Marys is located more than 9,000 miles away from Mnyakanya, but we feel like you sense all our situations and our needs. It is amazing that we can chat and plan things together as if we are living in the same place.
We are always learning from your culture and from your humanity. You have helped us create a culture of caring for others, humbleness and Ubuntu, I am because we are.
We would like to wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS that is full of all the blessings from God.
May God bless you ALL with a healthy life and prosperity throughout your life.
With love from the Mnyakanya Community
Jordan Sinnott Awards inspire young people in South Africa and in Leeds
It is now almost three years since the tragic death of professional footballer Jordan Sinnott. A former student of St. Mary’s School, Menston, Jordan was a great supporter of the Bambisanani Partnership and its work using the power of sport to change lives in one of South Africa’s most challenging rural areas. Annual awards have recently been presented in both countries in memory of Jordan.
It is now almost three years since the tragic death of professional footballer Jordan Sinnott. A former student of St. Mary’s School, Menston, Jordan was a great supporter of the Bambisanani Partnership and its work using the power of sport to change lives in one of South Africa’s most challenging rural areas. Annual awards have recently been presented in both countries in memory of Jordan.
Three awards have been presented at Vumanhlamvu Primary School which is set deep in rural KwaZulu-Natal. The Principal of the school, Mr William Vilakazi, had had the pleasure of meeting Jordan when he visited St. Mary’s several years ago. The special awards ceremony took place amidst great anticipation and excitement.
The winners of the Jordan Sinnott Memorial Awards at Vumanhlamvu for 2022 were duly announced.
Sports Leader of the Year: Slindokuhle Mvelase
Sportswoman of the Year: Ayanda Ngonyama
Sportsman of the Year: Siyanda Buthelezi
Mr Vilazaki said “These awards inspire our learners in sport and also in other areas of school life. They recognise and celebrate talent and determination. I had the great pleasure of meeting Jordan, I remember him well, I remember his smile. We remember Jordan very much at Vumanhlamvu; these awards are very special and are known to all in our school and the community. There is great competition to lift these trophies, the winners understand what an honour it is. Jordan, the Sinnott family and the Bambisanani Partnership are always in our prayers.”
Whilst a little overwhelmed the winners were overjoyed to receive the prestigious awards:
Sports Leader of the Year: Slindokuhle Mvelase
“I would like to thank the Sinnott family and Bambisanani for recognizing my talent in sports leadership and for the donation of many soccer jerseys to our school. May God bless you all”
Sportswoman of the Year: Ayanda Ngonyama
“The Jordan Sinnott awards encourage sports at our school. In order to lift one of the famous awards you have to be good and take sports seriously. I am very proud to be named Sportswoman of the Year. Thanks to Jordan’s family for the t-shirts given to our school and not forgetting the Bambisanani Partnership; we really appreciate you as well.”
Sportsman of the Year: Siyanda Buthelezi
“I would like to thank the Bambisanani Partnership and the Sinnott family for this special award and for the soccer jersey. I feel like a great soccer star. It was a tough year in sports and I competed hard to get this award.”
At St. Mary’s, Menston the Jordan Sinnott Memorial Award recognises a Year 11 student who has made ‘an outstanding contribution to football’.
Joe Brooks and Councillor Abigail Marshall Katung
The 2022 Jordan Sinnott Award at St. Mary’s was presented at the Year 11 Celebration Evening. The very worthy recipient was Joe Brooks who received the prestigious award from special guest, Councillor Abigail Marshall Katung.
Mr Tom Pringle from St. Mary’s was full of praise for Joe: “Joe is an extremely talented footballer who is technically very gifted. His work rate on the pitch is reflective of his general attitude in and around school. He is very competitive but plays the game in the correct manner, always maintaining an outstanding level of sportsmanship, which both the Physical Education department and school encourage and are very proud of. Joe plays to a high level outside of school and really enjoys the sport and this has shown for the five years he has been at St. Mary’s. Well done, Joe, this tremendous honour is thoroughly deserved.”
David Geldart from the partnership commented, “Congratulations to Slindokuhle, Ayanda,Siyanda and Joe, you have achieved great recognition for your all your hard work and we will watch your continued progress with great interest. Special thanks to the Vumanhlamvu and St. Mary’s teams for embracing these awards and for providing the learners with so many value driven opportunities in sport. Having worked closely with Jordan since he was at primary school, I am delighted he is continuing to inspire young people in both countries. These annual awards mean so much to Jordan’s family and friends; it would be impossible to overstate their importance. The impact of these awards is just amazing; Jordan would certainly approve!”
Jordan Sinnott Awards inspire young people home and away [WHARFEDALE OBSERVER]
Thobile and Gcinile receive Bambisanani Partnership University Bursaries
Thobile Prudence Nsibande and Gcinile Msweli have received university study bursaries from the UK based charity, The Bambisanani Partnership.
Thobile Prudence Nsibande and Gcinile Msweli have received university study bursaries from the UK based charity, The Bambisanani Partnership.
Both students were delighted with the news that will now allow them to pursue courses to become teachers through the University of South Africa (UNISA). Thobile is studying IsiZulu (Home Language), Natural Sciences, Life Sciences (Biology) and Business Studies. Gcinile is studying Biology and English.
Gcinile said:
“I would like to first thank the Bambisanani Partnership for giving me the financial aid as I have struggled in the past to pay for my studies. The reason I want to become a teacher is that I have witnessed the joy that teaching someone brings. It is great to know that you have taught a new concept to a learner. I also want to offer learners a chance to study the science subjects so that they can be innovators in the future by creating prototypes to deal with problems in our society, such as energy supply and health issues. I also enjoy using information technology in my classes through the computer lab which was also provided by the Bambisanani Partnership and Rotary partners. My dream is to be one of the best Biology teachers. Next year I will be completing my degree and I am grateful of the bursary as it has taken the burden of a debt from me and will allow me to complete the course.
I know I will be a fully-fledged teacher one day and I hope to change lives in the area I live in by hopefully producing students who will become scientists that can develop cures for different diseases.
Words cannot express how I feel right now. My thanks to the Bambisanani team; you are angels without wings who are helping me to realise my dreams. May God bless you.”
Thobile added:
“Education nurtures an individual and supplies them with the ability to think, act and grow in life. Education also empowers people and helps them become efficient in all aspects of living and experience in respective fields of work. As Mr Nelson Mandela said, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." This indeed emphasises that education allows us to better understand the world in which we live. Through education, we have become thoughtful about what happens around us. We observe things from multiple perspectives and not only from the one they tell us. Education interconnects and equates us as a species. Different people have different ambitions in life such as doctors, engineers, pilots, soldiers, etc. But I always wanted to be a teacher because I feel really blissful when I teach people around me. From my childhood I taught others whatever I learnt in school. By educating people around us we can uplift society. I want to be a compassionate teacher who nurtures the students with knowledge. I was inspired by my English high school teacher, Mr Xulu, may his soul continue resting in peace. He was so passionate with his students; we all passed his subject very well. He was indeed called to this profession. After my Matric Exams in 2020, I applied for teaching at the University of South Africa (UNISA). I remember when I found out that I was accepted, I was so over the moon. Unfortunately, a family crisis and financial issues meant that this do not work out and regrettably I had to drop out of the course. The fact that I come from a disadvantaged background meant that I knew it was going to be very hard for me to continue to fund my studies. Things were very hard for me and I was slowly giving up on my dreams until I met my former teacher Mrs Pk Zondi last year (2021) who told me about the possibility of applying for Bambisanani Partnership bursary.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the team for making the Bambisanani Partnership bursary possible. I was thrilled to learn of my selection for this honour, and I am deeply appreciative of your support. I hope to become a high school teacher after graduating from UNISA. The financial assistant I received from the partnership programme will help me to complete my Bachelor of Education degree. Your generosity and support are greatly appreciated. This experience has taught me a great lesson in life that, "a candle loses nothing by lighting another candle." I take this as a challenge and a great lesson on the importance of giving back and helping others without expecting anything in return.” Thank you to so much to everyone involved with the Bambisanani Partnership.”
David Geldart from the partnership said, “The Bambisanani Partnership is honoured to be able to support two such remarkable young ladies in their ambition to become teachers. Both Thobile and Gcinile have faced enormous challenges in their lives to achieve what they have to date. Their determination, persistence and resilience are inspirational and certainly others could learn from their approach. They are committed to education, changing lives and making the world a better place; the world needs teachers with this motivation. Massive thanks must go to Mrs Pk Zondi at Mnyakanya who never ceases to go above and beyond for her students. Thanks also to Nick Phillips, from Eshowe Rotary Club for his valuable assistance in making all this happen. Good luck Thobile and Gcinile; you deserve every success!”
Universities push to restart International Volunteering Projects
The University of Leeds and Leeds Trinity University are key members of the Bambisanani Partnership. Recently, staff from both universities have visited South Africa to establish links with a range of different partners, and to restart their successful international sports development programme.
The University of Leeds and Leeds Trinity University are key members of the Bambisanani Partnership. Recently, staff from both universities have visited South Africa to establish links with a range of different partners, and to restart their successful international sports development programme.
The COVID period has meant that the two universities have been unable to conduct in-person development projects since 2019. However, during this time both universities have been working remotely with colleagues and organizations in South Africa to understand the landscape and form new exciting partnerships.
The team at Leeds Trinity University have been working with colleagues at the Imbali Education and Innovation Precinct and Durban University of Technology to explore potential areas for curriculum exchange and development in relation to their respective degree provision within sport and sports coaching. This includes a digital exchange project in 2021 where students from both the UK and South Africa collaborated to develop coaching resources and session plans to support delivery of multi-sports sessions across the KwaZulu-Natal region.
The University of Leeds has been looking to expand and develop its programme of cycling to more schools and young people across Kwazulu-Natal. To do this they have been working with a local NGO called KZN Cycling to look at the potential of developing a partnership to establish a cycling network that delivers programmes across the year, by local people, for local people.
Andy Lockwood (University of Leeds) and Chris Rowley (Leeds Trinity University) spent a week in South Africa to meet with various partners and stakeholders to formalise the progress that has been made and to explore emerging opportunities for the universities and the Bambisanani Partnership.
During the visit the team met with various government officials, Durban University of Technology (DUT) and KZN Cycling. The team also had the opportunity to visit our existing partners and friends to meet face to face for the first time in three years.
The team attended a specially arranged conference at DUT to focus on the development of sport across the region and role that the universities and the Bambisanani Partnership. This conference was attended by a range of government departments, National Governing Bodies and local coaches and players, with Andy and Chris also delivering a presentation around the Application of Sport Psychology within Training, Competition and Sports Coaching.
The visit to KZN Cycling saw the team meet with their staff teams, visit a local cycling hub and attend a community cycling clinic in a rural village. The Bambisanani Partnership is committed to developing our partnership to deliver a local hub to get cycling into communities that need it the most
The visit was an incredible success, with demand, need and impact at the heart of every discussion. The universities and the Bambisanani Partnership are now well set to develop their work and to restart their exciting visits in 2023.
David Geldart from the partnership said, “Massive thanks to Andy and Chris for this outstanding development work. We had worked hard during the COVID period to both maintain and develop new relationships virtually but there is nothing quite like being on the ground and meeting in person. We are now in a great position to expand the university strands of our work in South Africa in 2023.”
Universities push to restart international volunteering projects [WHARFEDALE OBSERVER]