The South African High Commission and British Council honour the Bambisanani Partnership
At a prestigious Reception at The University of Leeds, Tyrone Gunnie from the South African High Commission in London and John Rolfe MBE from The British Council paid tribute to the work of The Bambisanani Partnership on the occasion of its fifteenth anniversary.
Tyrone Gunnie receiving the Bambisanani Award from David Geldart
John Rolfe MBE
For the past fifteen years the multi-award winning charity has operated in one of the most challenging parts of South Africa using the power of sport as a catalyst to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership. Founded initially by David Geldart as school partnership between St. Mary’s School, Menston and Mnyakanya School in KwaZulu-Natal, the initiative has grown considerably and now significantly involves The University of Leeds and Leeds Trinity University as key members and drivers of the organisation. The charity has gained international acclaim for its pioneering work which is committed to creating learning opportunities for young people in both countries. During that time more than 10,000 young people have engaged in a variety of Bambisanani Partnership programmes and projects which now operate in primary schools, secondary schools and universities in both countries.
David Geldart
At the event, the Chair of the charity, David Geldart, spoke of the ‘very special relationship’ between Leeds and South Africa. In particular, the significant role that the city and its people played in the Anti-Apartheid Movement and the great sporting links personified by the Leeds United legend’s Albert Johanneson and Lucas Radebe. “In his visit to Leeds in 2001, Nelson Mandela acknowledged this special relationship and also pointed to the future with the hope of further collaborations that would create a lasting legacy. Additionally, Nelson Mandela had frequently spoken about the power of sport and education to change the world. All of this stayed with me and five years later in 2006 I had the opportunity to visit South Africa and take the first tentative steps of collaboration in order establish what we would eventually call The Bambisanani Partnership.”
At the Reception, Teachers and Lecturers involved in the programme – Catherine Chattoe, St. Mary’s, Menston, David Farmer representing primary schools of The Bishop Wheeler Catholic Academy Trust, Andrew Lockwood, University of Leeds and Dr Chris Rowley, Leeds Trinity University spoke passionately at the event about their absolute commitment to creating ‘two way’ learning opportunities, the various Bambisanani programmes and the impact of this work on their students and institutions.
Former students from St. Mary’s, the University of Leeds and Leeds Trinity University, Sylvia Cullen, Brogan O’Connor, Charlie Stevenson and Jake Almond, who had previously visited South Africa, all gave moving and powerful accounts of how the experience had had a significant impact on both their lives and on their world view.
St. Mary’s School receiving the British Council International School Award
Speaking on behalf of The British Council John Rolfe MBE said, “The British Council is proud and delighted to work with such an exceptional group of global educators at the Bambisanani Partnership. The work, which engages young people in the UK and in South Africa, is truly outstanding and has created a model for others to follow. The partnership has developed some of the best international education programmes and practice in the world. Today I would like to invite members of this inspirational team to become members of the British Councils Internationalism Alliance in order to share their experience and expertise with other organisations around the world. I would also like to take this opportunity to present St. Mary’s School, where this all began, with the British Council International School Award which recognises fifteen years of exceptional and hugely impactful international work. The whole school commitment to international dimensions of teaching and learning is embedded at the school through its ethos and values. The Bambisanani Partnership with its engagement with primary schools, secondary schools and universities in both countries is absolutely brilliant and just keeps going from strength to strength. Congratulations on fifteen years of exceptional pioneering work that is making a real difference in the world.”
John Rolfe MBE receiving the Bambisanani Award from David Geldart
“The partnership has developed some of the best international education programmes and practice in the world. ”
Tyrone Gunnie
Tyrone Gunnie, First Secretary at The South African High Commission added, “The Bambisanani Partnership brings together a group of people who want to use the power of sport, together with their individual skills, to work in partnership with a rural community in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, to help the children of this community realise their strengths and talents. However, while the strengths and talents of the children are ignited, the team at Bambisanani underpin the importance of education. This project is so different to most that I have seen and this is why it is so effective. Every project that is implemented is the brainchild of the local community, endorsed by its leaders, and then implemented in partnership between the community and Bambisanani. This project serves, as a model for how to ensure that the dignity of the recipients of the project is not only upheld, but reinforced. It is the reason that year-on-year for 15 years, Bambisanani, and different communities, have celebrated so many achievements, and success stories, most notably, the impact that children from Leeds and Nkandla have on each other's lives. Its genuine commitment to ‘working together, and learning together’ in the spirit of Ubuntu can be seen in everything that it does. Many organisations could learn from this approach. The special relationship and legacy that Nelson Mandela spoke about when in Leeds certainly continues through the outstanding and influential Bambisanani Partnership.”
““The special relationship and legacy that Nelson Mandela spoke about when in Leeds certainly continues through the outstanding and influential Bambisanani Partnership.””
Honoured guests John Rolfe and Tyrone Gunnie were presented with special Bambisanani commemorative trophies in recognition of their outstanding support for the partnership.
Following the Reception, members of the Bambisanani team, with John Rolfe and Tyrone Gunnie had a very productive meeting where potential future collaborations and developments were discussed.
Bambisanani Partnership programmes and projects include:
Leadership through Sport programmes for secondary and primary students
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
Recognition of Achievement through Bambisanani Awards in both secondary and primary schools
Primary School Sports Festivals
Cycling to Success’ programme which teaches young people how to ride and maintain bikes
Collaborative training of Physical Education teachers and Sport Coaches at university level
Bambisanani International Athletics Challenge
During the past fifteen years:
Over 10,000 young people from both countries have engaged in a variety of Bambisanani projects and programmes
Over 3,000 students have participated Bambisanani Sports Festivals
Over 775 students have gained Bambisanani Leadership Awards
Over 280 UK students have volunteered on Bambisanani programmes in South Africa
Over 270 students have completed the Cycling to Success course
Over 1,200 South African students have been supported into school by the partnership
Over 1,700 students have participated in Bambisanani Reading Festivals
Over 650 students have participated in Art/Creative Writing through Sport projects
55 UK/SA teachers have visited each other’s countries on Exchange Visits
