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Changing lives through Sport brings International Award for the pioneering Bambisanani Partnership
The Bambisanani Partnership has been named as International Sport and Physical Education Charity of the Year at the annual Acquisition International Non-Profit Organisation Awards.
The Bambisanani Partnership has been named as International Sport and Physical Education Charity of the Year at the annual Acquisition International Non-Profit Organisation Awards.
Members of the Bambisanani Team
The Bambisanani Partnership is a multi-award-winning charity that originated as a partnership between St. Mary’s Catholic School in Menston, UK and Mnyakanya High School in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa in 2006. The partnership, which is run entirely by volunteers, uses the power of sport as a catalyst to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership and has gained international acclaim for its work.
John Rolfe MBE, Global School Alliance said “Congratulations on this richly deserved global award to all the at the wonderful Bambisanani Partnership. This Inspirational partnership has developed some of the best international education programmes and practice in the world.”
The partnership now involves over 30 schools, colleges and universities in both the UK and South Africa. The University of Leeds, Leeds Trinity University and Newcastle College are key members of the partnership. In South Africa, the partnership operates in the Nkandla region which one of most remote and deprived parts of the country, with over 90% unemployment and one of highest Aids/HIV rates in the world. ‘Bambisanani’ is a Zulu word meaning ‘working hand in hand’ which aptly encapsulates the philosophy of the partnership which seeks to provide collaborative learning opportunities for young people in both countries. The partnership has been recognised as making a ‘significant contribution’ to UN Sustainable Development Goals relating to Health and Education and is a founding member of Sport and Sustainability International.
The work of the partnership has been highlighted at conferences throughout the world, most recently at the Global Sport for All Summit held at the Vatican. At the event, Bambisanani Founder and CEO, David Geldart was honoured by an Audience with Pope Francis. The Bambisanani story is testimony of the power of sport to change the lives of individuals and communities. The charity has raised over £670,000 to facilitate its life changing work.
Over the past seventeen years, more than 12,000 young people from the UK and South Africa (from primary school to university) have participated in a variety of Bambisanani Partnership programmes and projects including Leadership through Sport, Sports Festivals, Cycling to Success, Literacy through Sport, Numeracy through Sport Art through Sport, Learning through Football, International Athletics Challenge and the joint training of Physical Education teachers and Sports Coaches.
Beyond this, the charity has been instrumental in bringing clean drinking water and computers to schools as well as rebuilding houses and providing university bursaries to disadvantaged young people, always working in partnership with the local community. The partnership has a policy of never funding 100% of a project and always seeks to ‘lever’ funding from South African sources. David Geldart said “Our work is about building capacity and empowering people and communities not developing a ‘dependency culture’. Funding everything would be patronising to say the least and ultimately self-defeating. We don’t do anything that isn’t driven by the local community; engagement and ‘buy in’ are essential. Partnership means partnership.”
David Geldart with the South African High Commissioner, His Excellency JN Mamabola
The South African High Commissioner to the UK, His Excellency JN Mamabola said “It is heartening to see that a project that is so mutually reinforcing and beneficial can have such a wide and profound impact in rural KZN. The KZN Cycling programme, Sports Leadership Programmes and Sports and Reading festivals are exactly the kinds of projects that bring together the youth from both the UK and SA. We are deeply appreciative of the work being carried out by the Bambisanani Partnership over the past 17 years and are impressed by the ways in which this project has grown to best serve the needs of the local communities in Eshowe and further afield. Given the impact and magnitude of the work carried out by the Bambisanani Partnership, we think it highly fitting that the Partnership has been awarded the International Sport and Physical Education Charity of the Year and we offer our congratulations and support.”
Mrs PK Zondi has been instrumental in developing the parternship at Mnyakanya School'
Mrs Pk Zondi, Bambisanani Coordinator from Mnyakanya School said “Being a member of the Bambisanani Partnership can be transformational for schools and learners - we have seen significant improvements in terms of academic success, attendance, enrolment, behaviour, confidence and self-esteem as a result of the various Bambisanani programmes. We feel connected to a wider world and involved in something bigger than ourselves. Above all this partnership has given us hope and belief. In this partnership we all play our part; we work together and we learn together in the spirit of Ubuntu. Long live Bambisanani!”
Young people involved the partnerships various programmes have no doubt about their value:
“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.” - UK student
“We have worked together…people of different colours, countries, religions and cultures…we have proved it can be done.” - South African student
From the USA Philip Leopold, CEO and Executive Director, Sport for Humanity Foundation said: “On behalf of Sport at the Service of Humanity, I’d like to express my personal congratulations to David and his colleagues for this wonderful and deserved recognition, and more importantly I want to thank the Bambisanani Partnership for the terrific and important work they do, all day, every day.”
Logan Govender, South African businessman and entrepreneur commented: “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 nor 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.”
David Geldart receiving the award
David Geldart concluded, “This is a tremendous honour. I am absolutely delighted that this award recognises the selfless, dedicated, pioneering work of our volunteers in both the UK and South Africa; we wouldn’t achieve anything without this amazing team of people who are committed to changing lives through sport. We are embarking on our most ambitious plans to date and this prestigious accolade will certainly spur the team on. This summer, 58 young volunteers from the UK (St. Mary’s School, University of Leeds, Leeds Trinity University and Newcastle College) will work with counterparts in South Africa to deliver a wide range of existing Bambisanani projects and programmes and introduce new ones. Our new cycling partnership with KZN Cycling will see us teach 5,000 children a year how to ride and maintain bikes. In the next 18 months we aim to increase the number of young people that we have worked with from 12,000 to 20,000. We are totally dependent on donations to fund our work and would be delighted to hear from anyone that can support us. With no employees or premises, any donations received go directly to our ‘front line’ projects. There is much more for us to do.”
The 9th Annual Martin Green Memorial Golf Tournament in aid of Cancer Research UK is a tremendous success
The Martin Green Memorial Golf Tournament remembers a remarkable man who whilst a teacher at St. Mary’s School, Menston played an important role in developing the Bambisanani Partnership – a unique charity that uses the power of sport to change lives of some of the poorest children in South Africa. The Ninth Annual Tournament was held at East Morton Golf Club, as it always is, and raised £990 for Cancer Research UK. Over the past nine years, this event has now raised over £11,000 for the charity.
The Martin Green Memorial Golf Tournament remembers a remarkable man who whilst a teacher at St. Mary’s School, Menston played an important role in developing the Bambisanani Partnership – a unique charity that uses the power of sport to change lives of some of the poorest children in South Africa. The Ninth Annual Tournament was held at East Morton Golf Club, as it always is, and raised £990 for Cancer Research UK. Over the past nine years, this event has now raised over £11,000 for the charity.
Despite ‘a bit of rain’ the day was a tremendous success, marked with wonderful camaraderie, great fun, superb hospitality and some excellent golf. 27 people played in the 18-hole Stableford tournament with many others making generous donations and providing prizes.
The winner of the 2023 Martin Green Memorial Trophy was Danny Halligan with a very impressive 47 points. Greg Smith was runner-up with 44 points and Paul Thompson gained third place on 38 points. The Longest Drive competition was won by Mark Sutcliffe, the Straightest Drive competition by the clearly in form Greg Smith and the Nearest the Pin challenge by Greg Kean. The Putting prize went to Andy Doherty.
This year’s Champion Danny Halligan said, “It’s been a pleasure to work with the charity over the last nine years and especially remembering Martin. Winning is good…but as long as the charity wins, it’s even better.”
The event was organised by former colleagues of Martin; Alex Smickersgill, Catherine Chattoe and David Geldart. David said, “Massive thanks to everyone that played and supported the event in any way. We are indebted to Jean Green (Martin’s Mum), Fred Heaton, Danny Halligan, Michelle Hefferon, Duncan Baines and Mike Gosling for making it such a great occasion. Thanks also to Liam Matthews PGA coach at Cookridge Hall Golf Club for providing a coaching prize and for Oulton Hall Golf Club for providing a four-ball prize at the prestigious course. Special thanks to St. Mary’s School and all the team at East Morton Golf Club who always go the extra mile to ensure that this tournament is a tremendous success and celebration. We are already looking forward to next year’s competition which will be our 10th Anniversary event as we edge towards a target of £15,000 for Cancer Research UK.”
All photos with kind permission of Mike Gosling
Bambisanani leader attends South African National Day 2023 celebrations
David Geldart, CEO of the Bambisanani Partnership was honoured this week with an invitation to visit the South African High Commission in London to celebrate South Africa’s National Day.
David Geldart, CEO of the Bambisanani Partnership was honoured this week with an invitation to visit the South African High Commission in London to celebrate South Africa’s National Day.
His Excellency Kingsley Mamabolo, the South African High Commissioner with David Geldart, CEO of the Bambisanani Partnership
The event, also known as Freedom Day, commemorated the 29th year since the first post-apartheid elections were held and the day that the new constitution was introduced. The elections were the first national elections where everyone in the country over the age of 18 from any race was allowed to vote. National Day is held on 27th April but had been delayed in the UK because of the coronation. The theme for this year’s event was ‘Consolidating and safeguarding our Democratic gains’.
David Geldart met His Excellency Kingsley Mamabolo, the South African High Commissioner, who praised the work of the Bambisanani Partnership as an outstanding example of the collaboration between the UK and South Africa. In his speech, the High Commissioner highlighted the special relationship between the two countries. He also outlined the progress that had been made in the last 29 years of democracy but also the challenges that still need to be addressed.
David Geldart said “It is a tremendous honour for the partnership to be represented at this most significant commemorative celebration. For many of us involved in the anti-apartheid movement that day in April 1994 is impossible to forget. I remember watching TV and seeing snaking queues that stretched for miles and miles of people that had never been allowed to vote before. Some years later I remember, with equal clarity, meeting people that had stood in those queues and hearing their stories. The Bambisanani Partnership is very proud to play a small part in this democratic journey.”
Newcastle College raises funds for the Bambisanani Partnership
Students and staff at Newcastle College recently took part in the Goggins Challenge, in an effort to raise funds for their visit to South Africa later this year, where they will spend three weeks working with children in schools and orphanages.
Students and staff at Newcastle College recently took part in the Goggins Challenge, in an effort to raise funds for their visit to South Africa later this year, where they will spend three weeks working with children in schools and orphanages.
The Goggins Challenge involves running four miles, every four hours, for 48 hours. In total the team ran 48 miles over the course of the challenge. Brogan O'Conner, Sports Development Manager explained how it went: "It was an honour to host and take part in the Goggins Challenge. In the end, five people (two students and three staff, pictured above) managed to complete all 12 runs, and a further 12 people (four students and eight staff) ran one or more of the legs in support.
"Although it was a tough mental and physical challenge, it was a great opportunity to give students and staff different memories and experiences outside of their regular college days and one which I will personally remember for a long time.
"I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who made the challenge possible: the Hospitality team for providing food throughout the challenge, the HE sport rehab team for providing massage treatments, all the staff and students who popped in to wish us good luck or joined us on a run, Hollinside Homes for sponsoring the event and finally Barry Rizza, Tuition Fund Coach, for coming up with, and organising the event."
David Geldart, Founder and CEO of the Bambisanani Partnership said: "Massive thanks to the team at Newcastle College for participating in the gruelling Goggins Challenge for the Bambisanani Partnership charity. Brogan, Barry and the students deserve tremendous praise for their efforts and commitment to the partnership. We are rather unusual as a charity in that we have no paid staff or premises - we are all volunteers which means that any money raised goes directly to support our sports projects programmes in one of South Africa’s most deprived rural areas.
"The team of volunteers from Newcastle College will see for themselves just what impact this has when they visit South Africa this summer to work on these programmes."
The team raised a staggering £1,534, but they'd like to reach £5,000 to purchase essential supplies and sporting equipment for the children they'll be supporting in South Africa.
You can help them to reach their target by donating to their JustGiving page.
Newcastle College Students Take Part in Goggins Challenge [NEWCASTLE COLLEGE]
Fundraising Event at Michelin standard Indian restaurant
Date: Sunday 9 July 2023
Date: Sunday 9 July 2023
Time: 12.30pm for 1pm lunch
Venue: Tharavadu Indian Restaurant in Leeds
7-8 Mill Hill
Leeds
LS1 5DQ
2 minute walk from Leeds train station
Cost: £25 per person
Food: Two course Kerala Indian lunch
This will be a great afternoon for people to experience Michelin standard Kerala food
There will be the opportunity to take part in some fundraising games, so could you please bring some cash as well
This will be a fantastic event for the whole family as well as raising money for a great cause
The Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli has referred Tharavadu as his favourite restaurant - the reviews are amazing
Tickets are available from Catherine Chattoe at St. Mary’s Menston c.chattoe@stmarysmenston.org 01943 883000
St. Mary's Menston Year 12 South Africa Visit 2023 Blog
St. Mary’s Menston Year 12 South Africa Visit 2023 Team
Read the blog here:
Bambisanani Leader to speak at Global School Alliance virtual conference
For further details and to register please see link below.
For further details and to register please see link below.
For further information about the The Global School Alliance also see:
Bambisanani Partnership will deliver its most ambitious volunteer programme in South Africa
This summer will see the most ambitious Bambisanani Partnership volunteer programme in South Africa to date.
This summer will see the most ambitious Bambisanani Partnership volunteer programme in South Africa to date.
In June, July and August volunteer teams from St. Mary’s School, Menston, the University of Leeds, Leeds Trinity University and Newcastle College will work in partnership with schools and other organisations in the rural Nkandla region of KwaZulu-Natal to deliver a range of existing Bambisanani programmes as well as introducing new ones. In total, 58 students and members of staff have volunteered to work with local communities and schools in one of South Africa’s most challenging and deprived rural and remote areas.
Over the past 17 years, the Bambisanani Partnership has gained international acclaim for its work using sport as a catalyst to promote, education, health, global citizenship and leadership. Based on needs identified by local communities the partnership is committed to a range of collaborations that create learning opportunities for both students from South Africa and the UK under the banner of ‘Working together and learning together’.
The Bambisanani Partnership volunteer visits to South Africa were suspended during Covid and their reinstatement has been welcomed by all concerned: “It is wonderful that the visits will be starting again. Over the years they have made an incredible impact and changed the way that young people from both countries see the world and themselves. The visits enable special human connections to be made that change lives for the better and forever.” Mrs PK Zondi, Bambisanani Coordinator, Mnyakanya High School.
During the three years of Covid the charity demonstrated great resilience, determination and creativity in not only sustaining many of its ongoing activities but actually introducing some new projects with students in both countries. Much time was spent on maintaining the international relationships but also developing new ones. As a consequence, these visits will involve new schools, colleges and other organisations.
This year’s programme of varied activities will see Bambisanani volunteers work with over 1,000 Zulu students in primary, secondary schools and in the wider community. More than 200 students will participate in Bambisanani Sports Leadership programmes. Students from St. Mary’s and Newcastle College will collaborate with Zulu students to jointly deliver Sports and Reading Festivals for over 400 primary school learners. Students from the University of Leeds and Leeds Trinity University will deliver a Sports Leadership Festival for primary school learners in the town of Eshowe. The university teams will also work on the Bambisanani and KZN Cycling initiative that will launch this summer and see the collaboration teach 5,000 young people a year how to ride and maintain bikes. Considerable sports coaching will also take place as well as the teaching of other subject areas in all schools. All four UK institutions will work in collaboration with the Norwegian charity, Zulufadder, at the Doremi Day Care Centre for orphans and vulnerable children.
Newcastle College is the latest UK institution to join the Bambisanani Partnership and are clearly delighted to be taking students to South Africa for the very first time. Brogan O’Connor from the college said. “Newcastle College is honoured and excited to be joining the Bambisanani Partnership and will commit to representing the partnership with positivity and pride to uphold the values and standards set by both organisations. We recognise the amazing work that has been done over the last 17 years and we commit fully to this, aiming to add further value to the partnership by the continued involvement of Newcastle College.”
St. Mary’s School will have two groups working in South Africa this summer involving 34 Sixth Form students and staff. Miss Charlotte Wood from St. Mary’s said: “It is just wonderful that we are very much ‘back to work’ with the volunteer visits. It will allow for students to work hand in hand with their South African counterparts and explore the programme which has brought so much success over the years. It will hopefully, make the St. Mary’s students more aware of how valuable the work of Bambisanani is, allowing them to pass on their experiences to younger members of the St. Mary’s community and in doing so inspire the next generation of volunteers.”
Suzzi Garnett from the University of Leeds added: “The joint University of Leeds and Leeds Trinity University visit this summer represents a great chance to build on the projects of the past as well as look to a sustainable future for the Cycling to Success project. This group of students will deliver new things in new ways and help determine the next steps for the project'.
David Geldart, Founder and CEO of the Bambisanani Partnership was full of praise for all those involved in both countries for organising the volunteer programme: “The commitment and dedication of our team to create such amazing learning opportunities is simply remarkable. We created a fantastic platform during Covid to massively extend our work further and this is a great example of that. The encounters that will result have the potential to influence young people from South Africa and the UK that will be responsible for shaping society in the future. This is real education for a better world and we are indebted to the very special individuals and institutions that enable this to happen.”
Beyond the Bambisanani volunteer programme the charity also has an extensive range of initiatives that operate throughout the year including its Cycling programme in partnership with KZN Cycling, International Athletics Challenge that links primary schools in both countries, joint training of Physical Education and Sports Coaches linking universities in both countries, Bambisanani Awards that promote Global Citizenship, Leadership and Volunteering for secondary and primary school students in both countries and a Bursary scheme supporting South African students into university and college.
Happy Birthday Father Vlad
Happy Birthday Father Vlad from all the Bambisanani Partnership team in South Africa and the UK - Many thanks for your tremendous support in helping us to use the power of sport to make a difference in the world.
Happy Birthday Father Vlad from all the Bambisanani Partnership team in South Africa and the UK - Many thanks for your tremendous support in helping us to use the power of sport to make a difference in the world.
“Sport has the power to unite people in a way that little else can. Sport can create hope where there was once only despair. It breaks down racial barriers. It laughs in the face of all kinds of discrimination. Sport speaks to people in a language they can understand.” Nelson Mandela
Good luck to Mr Harvey and Mr Keefe who will be running the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon on 14 May 2023
He will be running to raise funds for The Bambisanani Partnership.
They will be running to raise funds for The Bambisanani Partnership. We wish them well.
Mr Harvey will be taking two groups of St. Mary’s Sixth Form students to South Africa in June and July 2023, to continue the fantastic work of the partnership.
Find out more about the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon
Below is a link to donate: