The Bambisanani Partnership Annual Awards 2024
The Bambisanani Partnership Annual Awards are always a cause for great anticipation and excitement. This year 17 awards were presented across four schools in South Africa.
At Mnyakanya High School 8 Awards were presented to learners by Miss Charlotte Wood from St. Marys School and Mr David Farmer from St. Joseph’s School during the recent visit to South Africa by student volunteers:
The John Paul II Foundation for Sport Sportswoman of the Year Award: Lukhona Ndlovu
The John Paul II Foundation for Sport: Sportsman of the Year Award: Ayanda Nzuza
The John Paul II Foundation for Sport: True Spirit Award was presented: Nonsindiso Dube
The John Paul II Foundation for Sport: Helping Others Achieve their Potential: Nquko Sthandiwe
Laurie McCauley Most Improved Footballer Award: Nzuzu Mhlonishwa
Laurie McCauley Creative Writing Award: Sthabile Magwaza
Sibonelo Magwaza Award for Outstanding Leadership: Shandu Khulani
Jali Sthembile was presented with the Heather Read Award for Outstanding Resilience. The award recognised Jali’s positive approach to life and how she has proved to be a good friend to her peers at Mnyakanya and is someone who always acts with compassion and understanding despite having to negotiate her own personal challenges.
Sibonelo Magwaza Award for Outstanding Leadership: Shandu Khulani
Laurie McCauley Creative Writing Award: Sthabile Magwaza
Jali Sthembile was presented with the Heather Read Award for Outstanding Resilience
Sportsman of the Year Award: Bayanda Shange
Awards were also presented at Ntolwane Primary School which has been involved with the partnership from the onset:
Sportswoman of the Year Award: Lwaluhle Zikalal
Sportsman of the Year Award: Bayanda Shange
Sports Leader of the Year Award: Gugu Zuke
The Matt Harvey Award for Sportsman of the Year was presented to Emihle Msomi
Thembinfundo Special School is relatively new to the partnership and has already made a significant impact. This year 3 new awards were presented at the school in memory of former St. Mary’s teacher, Matt Harvey, who loved his time at Thembinfundo and had a real vision of how the school could enrich the partnership. Mrs Catherine Chattoe, Bambisanani Partnership at St. Mary’s presented the awards.
The Matt Harvey Award for Sportswoman of the Year was presented to Sbongakonke Makamu
The Matt Harvey Award for Sportswoman of the Year was presented to Sbongakonke Makamu
The Matt Harvey Award for Sportsman of the Year was presented to Emihle Msomi
The Matt Harvey Award for Sports Leader of the Year was presented to Thabiso Mgwaba
The Principal of the school, Mr MH Dlamnil said, “It is wonderful to remember the amazing Mr Matt Harvey in this way. My learners are inspired. Sport is becoming more recognised at my school; the learners have told me how much they love it. Sports are unlocking opportunities. My learners have said that it is helping them to accept themselves despite any physical and mental challenges. One learner told me that they were born unique and that sport was helping them to realise that anything was possible. These awards are very important in my school community.”
Former St. Mary’s Menston student and professional footballer Jordan Sinnott was a great supporter of the Bambisanani Partnership. Following his tragic death in 2020 three annual awards were established in his memory at Vumanhlamvu Primary School. The awards recognise the Sportswomen of the Year, Sportsman of the Year and Sports Leader at the school.
Mnelisi Ntanzi Sportswoman of the Year
Andile Kunene Sportsman of the Year
Lunwabo Masondo Sports Leader of the Year
Mnelisi Ntanzi Sportswoman of the Year
"l feel very much happy to be a winner of this beautiful award that remembers Jordan at our school. This encourages me to continue with netball even next year at high school. I practiced and exercised at home very much in order to improve. I scored 32 goals this year in netball matches. Thank you, a lot, to the Sinnott family and the Bambisanani Partnership as these awards encourage us to showcase our talent." Mnelisi Ntanzi
'It is a dream come true to win the Jordan Sinnott Award in 2024. I am very happy and my dream is to be a professional soccer player one day. I always go an extra mile when given task in sports this encourages me to do the same in my school work. Thanks to Jordan’s family and to Bambisanani for giving us this opportunity.'' Andile Kunene
"I have never won any award in my whole life. The Jordan Sinnott award is the first thing that l won and it is a famous award at our school. I worked very hard all the time and this special award motivates me to be a good leader. Thank you Bambisanani and Sinnott family for remembering us". Lunwabo Masondo
Mr William Vilakazi, Principal of the school added, “It is difficult to express how important these awards are to our school. They are a focal point for our learners and inspire them to be the best that they can be. We remember Jordan at this time and his Mum, Melanie who sadly passed away last year. The Sinnott family and his friends must be strengthened in the knowledge that Jordan is continuing to inspire learners in this remote rural part of South Africa. This is the power of sport which we know was very important to Jordan.”
Award winners pictured with Mr Sibisi Lucky the Sports Organiser at Vumanhlamvu School
David Geldart from the partnership said, “Congratulations to all our winners this year, they are very impressive young people and we will continue to monitor their onward progress and further achievements. Thank you to the teachers who are providing such wonderful opportunities for their learners and for shining a light on their talents. We remember especially at this time Laurie, Sibonelo, Heather, Jordan and Matt together with their family and friends – it is wonderful that their memory lives on through their special awards as they continue to recognise, celebrate and inspire young people to be the very best that they can be.”
