NEWS
The Bambisanani Partnership says Thank You to The Rotary Club of Aireborough
On 27 February 2024, St. Mary's staff and ex-students joined the members of Aireborough Rotary at Horsforth Golf Club where Rory Southern and Anna Ciesluk, who left St. Mary’s last year gave an enlightening account of their work in South Africa in July 2023.
On 27 February 2024, St. Mary's staff and ex-students joined the members of Aireborough Rotary at Horsforth Golf Club where Rory Southern and Anna Ciesluk, who left St. Mary’s last year gave an enlightening account of their work in South Africa in July 2023.
The evening ended with Mrs Chattoe giving the Rotarians an update on the South African projects they have been involved in. They saw photographs of the final delivery and installation of computers for the Computer Suite at Mnyakanya High School that was funded by an International Rotary Grant.
Mrs Chattoe played a video of the South African teachers giving lessons to the girls on how to use the sanitary kits that the Rotarian members had made and the St. Mary’s team had delivered to the rural schools in KwaZulu-Natal.
A special guest at the evening was the son of the late Aireborough Rotary President, Heather Read. Mrs Chattoe spoke of the recipient of the first ever Heather Read Award for Outstanding Resilience. The Award was presented to Samkelisiwe Ntuli in June 2023. Tim Read and the guests heard how Samkelisiwe Ntuli has lived on her own since the age of 14 after her mother and sister travelled 500km to try to find work in Johannesburg. Samkelisiwe Ntuli travelled 20km to school every day and managed to successfully pass her matriculation examinations. Samkelisiwe Ntuli has now left school and will try to find her mother and sister and would like to study Law at University. Anna read out a message to Aireborough Rotary from Samkelisiwe Ntuli, thanking them for their recognition of her resilience.
Mrs Chattoe said: “it was a lovely evening as it is always great to meet up with the Aireborough Rotarians as they have been supporters of The Bambisanani Partnership since its inception seventeen years ago. We have had a long and very special relationship with the Rotary Club of Aireborough and indeed with Eshowe Rotary Club in South Africa that has enabled many life changing projects to be introduced.”
Find out more about The Rotary Club of Aireborough
Published: 01/03/2024
Bambisanani in the news: Small Charity Big Impact
Article February 2024
Article February 2024
Small Charity Massive Impact: The remarkable Bambisanani Partnership [SOUTH AFRICA THE GOOD NEWS]
Marching through March!
Join us for the 100 Mile Challenge. Individual Family or Group. Make Every Step Count!
Join us for the 100 Mile Challenge. Individual Family or Group. Make Every Step Count!
The challenge is to walk 100 miles either as an individual, a family or a group of friends in the month of March – you choose when you walk, where you walk, how far you walk at anyone time and how fast you walk – it’s completely up to you how you accumulate your 100 miles.
If you would like to take part and raise some sponsorship for your efforts, please register your interest by emailing Barbara Pounder (who is organising the event) at: bmpounder@yahoo.co.uk.
Our friends in South Africa are also rising to the challenge, so between us all we should be able to have some great exercise, and hopefully some good weather as we 'March through March'. For further information please contact Barbara.
Alternatively, if you are not able to do the walk you can sponsor members of Bambisanani team who will be Marching through March by making a donation on the link below.
Mnyakanya High School do it again!
Mnyakanya High School in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal, has recently learned that it has obtained a remarkable 90% pass rate in the annual Matriculation (Matric) Examinations, despite many challenges that were faced by the school in the last year.
Mnyakanya High School in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal, has recently learned that it has obtained a remarkable 90% pass rate in the annual Matriculation (Matric) Examinations, despite many challenges that were faced by the school in the last year.
Students celebrate their results
This result equals the school's record breaking 90% pass rate of 2023. In 2022 the pass rate was a commendable 86% and in 2021 it was 72%. It is not so many years ago that the pass rate was half that of the amazing results of this year and last so there is little wonder that this remote rural school is gaining the attention of the nation.
In 2023, Mnyakanya had 112 students who sat the national Matric exams. This was a huge number for the school with limited classrooms, teachers and resources. Learners had to be taught in overcrowded classrooms with teachers providing additional lessons in the evenings and weekends.
Star pupil Busisiwe Bhengu
The 2023 results surprised many people when 58 learners obtained a Bachelors Pass, which is the entry requirement to go to university, 31 learners obtained a Diploma Pass which is the entry requirement for Technical Colleges and 12 learners obtained the Higher Certificates which can provide access to Technical Colleges.
Busisiwe Bhengu who achieved the highest scores with no less than 6 Distinctions In her subjects, broke into tears of joy when she received the news of her achievements. Her grandmother, Mashezi Bhengu who takes care of her family by selling snacks at school said:
"I am so grateful that Busisiwe has broken the record by achieving such high results. I am so proud to know that she is the first student to obtain 6 distinctions in her subjects throughout the history of Mnyakanya High school."
Busisiwe's father, Mafuna Bhengu, passed the words of gratitude to the school principal and said:
"I'm so excited about the work done by the teachers for my daughter. I don’t have anything in my hands, but I wish I can do something for the school to show my appreciation. I am speechless, not knowing what to do because of excitement.
I wish to say a massive thanks to you Mr Principal and your staff, God bless you."
Mnyakanya High School results continue to attract students from different parts of the province and from other provinces. The school enrolment of 2024 has risen up to 950 students compared to 859 of 2023. There are many students who applied and could not be taken because the school is running short of enough space and furniture.
The Mnyakanya community is working hand in hand with the school to provide accommodation closer to the school for those students who wish to move to the area to attend the school. Again, teachers of the school are proving additional classes to cope with the massive increased demand.
Mr SV Ngubane, Principal of Mnyakanya congratulates students on their outstanding results
Mnyakanya School together with St. Mary’s School, Menston (UK) are the founding schools of the Bambisanani Partnership and have worked closely together for the benefit of students in both schools for the past 17 years. Mnyakanyal is now a very popular school not only for its outstanding examination results but for its sports activities, cultural activities and international links and educational opportunities through the Bambisanani Partnership. The addition of Computer Literacy as a subject in the school curriculum by the Bambisanani Partnership and Rotary International has been a major factor in increased academic achievement at the school.
The Chairperson of the school governing body, Mr Sguda Bhengu said:
"I am feeling very proud to be the Chairperson the school that is doing so well with its results. In all cases or events when I’m expected to introduce myself, I do not forget to p roudly mention that I am the Chairperson of Mnyakanya school governing body. This make my status to be respected even greater in the community, just because of the good work done at Mnyakanya”.
The delighted Principal of Mnyakanya, Mr SV Ngubane said, “2023 was the toughest year with many challenges. The Matric results could not be predicted at all because of these challenges. Teachers were extremely overloaded with work because the school was understaffed. The results that we obtained are from hard work and dedication of teachers and learners who sacrificed their time of seeing their families during holidays and during the week-ends. I cannot explain the joy that I have in my heart about what we achieved."
Students doing extra study after school
David Geldart from the Bambisanani Partnership added, “I am almost lost for words at the remarkable continued progress at Mnyakanya School. The teachers and students deserve the utmost praise and congratulations for their outstanding work. Many students routinely walk two hours to and from school each day because they want an education. Relatively few resources and class sizes of 60 plus are the norm. There is a shortage of teachers at the school and those that are there go the extra mile continually for their students by working additional hours before school, after school, weekends and holidays! The young people and their educators are an inspiration and students and teachers from other parts of the world have much to learn from their commitment, determination and resilience. This success is achieved against all the odds and is thoroughly deserved. The Bambisanani Partnership is honoured to be working with such a school and to have made a small contribution to its success that we can all learn from.”
Published: 07/02/2024
Bambisanani Partnership Review 2023
The amazing Bambisanani team has worked tirelessly, frequently in the most challenging of circumstances, to ensure that this has been our most successful year to date in terms of development, programmes, participation and impact:
By any standards this has been the most remarkable year for the Bambisanani Partnership.
The amazing Bambisanani team have worked tirelessly, frequently in the most challenging of circumstances, to ensure that this has been our most successful year to date in terms of development, programmes, participation and impact:
This year saw 4,007 young people from both countries involved in Bambisanani activities. This is the highest level of annual participation since the partnership began.
41 young people from four institutions in the UK (St. Mary’s School, University of Leeds, Leeds Trinity University and Newcastle College) together with 11 members of staff volunteered in South Africa for a period of more than 3 months in total. This involved 33 different schools of which 17 were new to the programme.
In response to the Global Sport for All Summit and Pope Francis’ call for sport to be more inclusive and accessible, Bambisanani schools in the UK and South Africa became the first schools in the world to sign a global declaration committing to this aim. In doing so they joined some of the world’s leading sporting organisations such as the International Olympic Committee, International Paralympic Committee and the Special Olympics Committee in making this pledge.
In collaboration with Mnyakanya School and Rotary Clubs in South Africa and the UK, Computer Applications Technology (CAT) provision at Mnyakanya School has been dramatically improved with the school achieving specialised CAT status via assessment by the KZN Department of Education.
Mnyakanya School achieved its best ever examination results and recorded a significant increase in student enrolment, citing the Bambisanani Partnership as an important factor in that success with particular reference to the ICT Suite and Water Installation Project provided by the charity.
The Cycling to Success initiative continues to expand and in July a significant partnership agreement was signed with KZN Cycling that will see us jointly train more than 5,000 young people a year, from some of South Africa’s most rural, remote and deprived areas how to ride and maintain bikes. 2,356 children have already participated in the programme.
The Bambisanani International Athletics Challenge expanded to include 15 schools from South Africa and the UK involving 335 students. Since this programme began 852 primary school children from both countries have participated in the initiative.
18 Bambisanani Annual Awards presented at three South African schools and St. Mary’s, Menston recognising and rewarding achievement of students.
In partnership with the Jordan Sinnott Foundation, annual awards have been presented in South Africa encouraging sport and sports leadership in young people. Football shirts from the Sinnott 25 campaign were distributed to children at Mnyakanya High School and Vumanhlamvu Primary School.
Two students from Mnyakanya School have been awarded Bambisanani Partnership bursaries as a contribution towards their university fees. Both students are studying to become teachers at the University of South Africa. One student qualified this year.
The partnership was honoured to be invited by the South African High Commissioner to participate in the South Africa National Day Celebrations at the South High Commission.
Several national and international articles have been published highlighting the impact of the charity.
Charity Founder and CEO, David Geldart gave a speech at the International Olympic Academy in Ancient Olympia and also contributed to an international Global School Alliance webinar.
The Bambisanani Partnership was named as Physical Education Sport charity of the Year.
Since the Bambisanani Partnership began, a total of 16,703 young people have been involved in its various projects and programmes. Significantly, this now includes students from primary schools, secondary schools, colleges and universities. Over the past three years the number of educational establishments involved in our work has increased from 17 to 38.
Massive thanks to the Bambisanani team for the outstanding achievements in 2023. The impact on young people involved in our programmes has been quite remarkable not least in developing their world view and concept of humanity. The international recognition of our work and invitations to share ‘our story’ and experiences continue to both surprise and inspire us. Special thanks must go our wonderful sponsors and supporters – without their help none of the above would happen. We have taken a short breath to reflect on 2023 but our focus has already switched to 2024 and even more ambitious plans for the future - changing lives for the better through the power of education and sport. – working together and learning together.
Bambisanani Partnership Highlights from 2023
Please also see:
Bambisanani in Numbers page on our website
Bambisanani Awards continue to inspire
The annual Bambisanani Awards are always a cause of great interest and excitement as they continue to recognise, reward and inspire young people in South Africa and the UK.
The annual Bambisanani Awards are always a cause of great interest and excitement as they continue to recognise, reward and inspire young people in South Africa and the UK.
At Vumanhlamvu Primary School, 3 Bambisanani Awards were presented in memory of Jordan Sinnott:
The Sports Leader of the Year was named as Philani Shezi, the football team captain for 2023
"I would like to thank the Bambisanani Partnership, my school and the Sinnott family for giving me this opportunity to participate in sports and show my leadership. I am so very happy to be announced as a winner of this big award. I thank the Bambisanani Partnership for donating sports equipment."
Sportswomen of the Year was Silindokuhle Mvela who was 100 meters District Champion in Athletics in 2023.
"The Bambisanani Athletics programme in our school has helped me to be a winner and to represent Nkandla at District level. Thank you, Bambisanani Partnership, for introducing the Athletics Challenge and donating equipment which has helped us a lot. I am very proud to lift the trophy in memory of Jordan.”
Sportsman of the Year was Simphilele Ngonyama who was the top goal scorer in the local Schools Football Tournament in 2023.
"l would like to thank my school and the Bambisanani partnership for the beautiful programme which has helped us to improve not only in sports but in our other school subjects as well. I am honoured to raise the Jordan Sinnott Award for Sportsman of the Year; I am inspired to do more.”
William Vilakazi, Principal of Vumanhlamvu remarked, "Having Jordan Sinnott Awards in our school inspires learners. The awards help learners from a young age to develop not only sporting skills but also the social skills to work with their teammates, make new friends and learn how rewarding it is to participate in team sports. It has also improved self-esteem of most learners in our school, learners are hungry to succeed in all sports activities in order to lift these prestigious awards. We thank the Sinnott family and we were so sorry to hear recently of the passing of Jordan’s Mum, Melanie, who was a great supporter of the Bambisanani Partnership and of our school; May she Rest in Peace with Jordan.”
At Mnyakanya High School, 8 Awards were presented to learners by Miss Charlotte Wood from St. Mary’s during the recent visit to South Africa by student volunteers:
Laurie McCauley Most Improved Footballer Award: Velani Mtshali
Laurie McCauley Creative Writing Award: Athandile Gumede
Helping Others Achieve Their Potential Award: Uyabusa Mvubu
True Spirit of Sport Award: Nombulelo Shangase
Sbonelo Magwaza Outstanding Leadership Award: Bayanda Gcaba
Sportswoman of the Year Award: Seluleko Nzuza
Sportsman of the Year Award: Luthando Mnqayi
The Sbonelo Magwaza Award for Outstanding leadership: Anna Ciesluk
A Sbonelo Magwaza Outstanding Leadership Award is also presented at St. Mary’s, Menston to a student volunteer from the school who has shown exceptional leadership in South Africa. Speaking at an Awards Ceremony Miss Charlotte Wood said, “I would just like to say that Mr Harvey, Mrs. Chattoe and I were and still are super proud of all of the St. Mary’s students who worked out in South Africa in July 2023. Whilst working on the project, the Bambisanani team are asked to nominate a student for this award. The team are looking for someone who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the work of the partnership. The recipient of this award knew they wanted to be involved in the work of The Bambisanani Partnership when they joined St. Mary’s in Year 7, and upon hearing they had a place on the visit, this student did everything they could to make sure they were fully prepared for their work in South Africa and were adamant they would do what it takes to get the best out of it. The winner of this award is very special. They truly encompass everything that the partnership is about. Compassion, Service Kindness. In the final blog of the visit, Mr. Harvey said this person was born to lead, always the first to volunteer, chatted with everyone an couldn’t be phased by any challenge. She is an exceptional young person. I am delighted to award The Sbonelo Magwaza Award for Outstanding leadership to Anna Ciesluk.”
The Heather Read Award for Outstanding Resilience goes to Ntuli Samkelisiwe
It was a great honour this year to unveil and introduce a completely new annual award at Mnyakanya School: The Heather Read Award for Outstanding Resilience. At the presentation ceremony Mrs Catherine Chattoe, Bambisanani Coordinator at St. Mary’s visiting South Africa said:
“Heather Read loved the Bambisanani Partnership and was a great supporter of the charity. The Bambisanani Partnership has a longstanding special relationship with Rotarians in the UK, South Africa and internationally and Heather was instrumental in so many of our joint projects that have transformed young people’s lives in South Africa. Heather was the first female President of the UK’s Aireborough Rotary Club in its history of more than 60 years. Heather was a volunteer at a charity shop for a cancer Hospice. She was a vice principal at a special school. A church warden at St Peter’s Parish Church in Rawdon. A school governor at St Peter’s Church of England Primary. She was also a Community Ambassador for a local cancer charity. Heather Read was ground breaking in her election as president, she challenged the rules of the society, she paved the way and made the society more responsive and inclusive. She showed compassion to everyone she met. She was the corner stone of her family and a support to all her friends. She spent her whole career teaching children and young adults who found life challenging. She helped people become the best that they could be.
The recipient of this award has, successfully coped with difficult or challenging life experiences. Shown mental and emotional strength when faced with problems, proved to be a good friend and team member, acting with compassion and understanding. This person always has a positive outlook. The Heather Read Award for Outstanding Resilience goes to Ntuli Samkelisiwe”
Additionally, at Mnyakanya three Bambisanani Awards were presented to educators, Mr SV Nugubane, Mrs PK Zondi and Miss M Langa for their outstanding contribution to the partnership.
Three Bambisanani Awards were also presented for Ntolwane Primary School:
Sportswomen of the Year Award: Luyanda Magwaza
Sportsman of the Year Award: Thobani Mhlongo
Sports Leader of the Year Award: Samkelisiwi Geada
Mr Moses Xulu, Bambisanani Coordinator at Ntolwane said, “I wish to highlight the importance of Bambisanani Awards in our school. Bambisanani Awards at Ntolwane play a pivotal role in ensuring that our learners do participate in a wide range of sporting activities. In short, the awards are a motivator and encourager to all participants who love sports; at Ntolwane they have created more interest in sports which benefits the entire curriculum."
David Geldart from the partnership said, “Congratulations to all the recipients of this year’s awards. Many thanks also to the teachers in all of our schools that continue to provide learners with the opportunities, encouragement and support that enables them to shine and to be recognised. Special thanks to Monsignor Vladimir Felzmann (Father Vlad) for his tremendous support with these awards. We remember especially at this time the awards in memory of Laurie McCauley, Sbonelo Magwaza, Jordan Sinnott and Heather Read; we know that these awards, that motivate and inspire others, bring strength and comfort to their families. What we also know is that many students already have an eye to the awards in 2024!”
Published: 21/12/2023
Chocolate Hamper raises funds for the Bambisanani Partnership
The annual Bambisanani Chocolate Hamper raffle was a great success this year with tremendous support from within the school community and beyond.
The annual Bambisanani Chocolate Hamper raffle was a great success this year with tremendous support from within the school community and beyond.
The hamper was won by St. Mary’s Headteacher and Vice Chair of the Bambisanani Partnership, Miss Hattersley. Miss Hattersley immediately donated the hamper back and it was re-raffled as smaller prizes which meant that more money was raised for the charity and many more students went home with some chocolates! Thank you to Miss Hattersley and to all those who supported this popular fundraising event which will help us make a difference in South Africa.
Wonderful Christmas Messages between the Two Bambisanani Founding Schools
The wonderful Christmas messages between St. Mary’s school in Menston and Mnyakanya High School in Nkandlda epitomise the very special relationship that exists between the two schools – two schools that have been committed to working together and learning together for 17 years.
The wonderful Christmas messages between St. Mary’s school in Menston and Mnyakanya High School in Nkandlda epitomise the very special relationship that exists between the two schools – two schools that have been committed to working together and learning together for 17 years.
Message from Mnyakanya to St. Mary’s
As the joyous season of Christmas approaches we find ourselves thinking of each and every one of you at St Mary’s Menston. Although we may be physically separated by 9,000 miles, know that you are always close in our hearts, especially during this magical time of the year.
Christmas is a time for celebration, love and togetherness. It is time to reflect on the blessings we have received and share warmth and happiness with the people we hold dear. Even though we cannot be physically together with one another, our partnership transcends distance and time.
We want St. Mary’s to know that you are always in our thoughts and your presence is felt even from afar. The memories we have created together, the laughter and the shared experiences are etched in our hearts and bring a smile to our faces, no matter where life takes us, the bonds we've formed remain unbreakable.
Mnyakanya High School and St. Mary’s cannot gather around the same table or exchange gifts at this time of year but we would like to express our heartfelt appreciation for our partnership. Thank you for bringing light into our lives and enriching it with your presence, we will be forever grateful and eternally thankful.
May the spirit of Christmas fill your hearts with peace and happiness. May the twinkling lights and cheerful melodies remind you of cherished moments we've shared and bring a sense of warmth and familiarity.
We wish you all a very Merry Christmas filled with love, laughter and beautiful memories. May the coming year bring you boundless opportunities, success, and happiness. Know that you are cherished and loved.
With warmest wishes
The Mnyakanya Community
Message from St. Mary’s to Mnyakanya
Please find below a Christmas blessing to the Mnyakanya community from St. Mary's.
Our dearest friends-
'In praise and thanksgiving,
Lets us rejoice as we await our Saviour
Christ the Lord,
God within us,
Prince of Peace'
In this season of advent our hearts reach out to you across the miles.
Our partnership consolidates that mutual warmth, happiness, laughter and shared experience.
Those unbreakable bonds of friendship and brotherhood are felt never so strongly as at this time of year.
We wish you all the joy of Christmas and every blessing in the new year to come, with new challenges, new opportunities and endless possibility.
With our love and warmest wishes
All your friends…
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Bambisanani Team from the UK and South Africa.🎄
“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
Charity leader praises work of volunteers in South Africa
Following a break of three years due to Covid 19 restrictions, 2023 has proved to be a remarkable year of volunteering in South Africa for the Bambisanani Partnership.
Following a break of three years due to Covid 19 restrictions, 2023 has proved to be a remarkable year of volunteering in South Africa for the Bambisanani Partnership.
41 students together with 11 members of staff from St. Mary’s School, Menston, University of Leeds, Leeds Trinity University and Newcastle College spent more than three months in South Africa delivering Bambisanani programmes using sport to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership in one the countries most deprived and challenging areas. In four separate coordinated visits the volunteers worked with 3,631 South African students from 33 different schools of which 17 were new partner institutions. 3,151 students from primary and secondary schools were involved in sports festivals and coaching activities and 1,135 children experienced Bambisanani Leadership through Sport programmes.
David Geldart, CEO and Founder of the partnership said, “I have nothing but praise for the remarkable students and staff from St. Mary’s, Menston, The University of Leeds, Leeds Trinity University and Newcastle College for their outstanding work in not only reintroducing volunteer student visits to South Africa after Covid but also for having such an enormous impact in doing so. Our work puts great store in creating learning opportunities for young people from both countries; Europeans and Africans ‘working together and learning together’ in a spirit of Ubuntu. All four institutions worked extremely hard with the local communities involved to establish what was needed on the ground then worked tirelessly in partnership to extend existing programmes and indeed to introduce new ones. These are four institutions that are prepared to ‘live their values’ in terms of Global Learning. They are helping to pioneer exceptionally powerful learning opportunities for young people in both countries. This work is far from easy. Despite the considerable challenges and hard work involved they are committed to ‘real education’ that is enabling young people to take a broader view of the world and their place in it. By any standard this is phenomenal educating that is helping to make the world a better place. Massive thanks to our wonderful team from South Africa and the UK for making all this happen and making a difference.”
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 and at the International Olympic Academy in Ancient Olympia. The Bambisanani Partnership was named as International Sport and Physical Education Charity of the Year 2023.
Also see related:
St. Mary’s School raise the bar with two remarkable visits to South Africa this year (14/11/2023)
University of Leeds Gryphons Abroad programme engages over 2,000 children in South Africa (22/09/2023)
Newcastle College joins the Bambisanani Partnership with pioneering work in South Africa (01/09/2023)