Thank you Mrs Chattoe for producing this compelling animation explaining the Bambisanani 2020 Challenge.
Reflections on my time volunteering in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa as part of the University’s ‘Gryphons Abroad’ project in August 2024.
By Tracy Campbell
Former St. Mary’s Menston student and professional footballer Jordan Sinnott was a great supporter of the Bambisanani Partnership charity which uses the power to change lives in some of the poorest rural communities in South Africa. Following his tragic death in 2020 three annual awards were established in his memory at Vumanhlamvu Primary School in the Nkandla region of KwaZulu-Natal. The awards recognise the Sportswomen of the Year, Sportsman of the Year and Sports Leader at the school.
South African teachers, Mrs Pk Zondi and Miss Mazet Langa from Mnyakanya High School and Mrs Eunice Mchunu from Umlazi Primary School together with students Amahle Nsbande and Bayanda Gcaba from Mnyakanya recently visited Leeds as part of the Bambisanani Partnership exchange programme. Mnyakanya School established the partnership with St. Mary’s, Menston 18 years ago. The visit was coordinated by Mrs Pk Zondi and Catherine Chattoe from St. Mary’s supported by Charlotte Wood, Barbara Pounder, David Farmer, Margaret Hattersley, Gerry Sayers, Brogan O’Connor and David Geldart.
For the second year running, 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 4th Annual Bambisanani Partnership International Athletics Challenge, supported by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport, Arts & Culture and Coastland Hotel and Resorts, brought together 13 primary schools.
For the past 18 years, the Bambisanani Partnership has operated in the most challenging rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) in South Africa using the power of sport to transform lives. During that time more 20,000 young people from the UK and South Africa have engaged in the charity’s various projects and programmes.
When 8-year-old Althaeá Dickinson from York, was talking to her grandad about World Book Day at her school she asked him if schools in South Africa, where the Bambisanani Partnership charity operates, were involved in World Book Day.
Students and staff from Newcastle College have recently returned from the college’s second annual visit to South Africa as part of the Bambisanani Partnership.
Thobile Prudence Nsibande recently graduated from the University of South Africa (UNISA) with a Bachelor of Education Degree qualifying her as a teacher.
Bambisanani Partnership Awards in memory of Sbonelo Magwaza are presented annually at Mnyakanya High School and St. Mary’s, Menston; the two founding schools of the Bambisanani Partnership.
