International Award for Bambisanani Partnership
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 Bambisanani Partnership is a multi-award-winning UK based 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 has gained international acclaim for its work. The partnership now involves more than 40 schools 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 for its work contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals relating to Health and Education and is a founding member of Sport and Sustainability International.
The award was presented in South Africa this year by Priscilla Guliwe from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education who said, “It is a great honour to present this prestigious award to the awesome Bambisanani Partnership. Making one small change can change a life. The Bambisanani Partnership is changing the lives of our learners in South Africa and in the UK. Excellence is a choice, and that is why Physical Education and Sport is so important in developing young people; healthy body and healthy mind. The Bambisanani Partnership is helping young people to excel in so many ways.”
Mrs Pk Zondi, Bambisanani Coordinator at Mnyakanya School and Mrs Catherine Chattoe, Bambisanani Coordinator at St. Mary’s School, received the award on behalf of the partnership.
Mrs Zondi said “It was so exciting to hear the good news about the Bambisanani Partnership. It means we are a winning team; it is really amazing that the Bambisanani Partnership is so highly recognised. I was overwhelmed by the surprise. To be chosen as a receiver of this award on behalf of the partnership is a great honour; I felt so humbled.”
Mrs Chattoe commented, “To receive this international award in South Africa with Pk was so special. The Bambisanani Partnership all about making a difference through our team and our collaborations. We were able represent our team members from both countries who work tirelessly day in day out to implement our programmes. This is a great honour for our team.”
Over the past eighteen years, more than 23,000 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.
In addition to ongoing programmes, 38 young people from St. Mary’s School, University of Leeds and Newcastle College have volunteered in South Africa this year. A group of South African teachers and students will visit Leeds later in the year.
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 work of the partnership has been highlighted at conferences throughout the world, including the Global Sport for All Summit held at the Vatican and at the International Olympic Academy.
David Geldart, Founder and CEO of the partnership added, “It was just wonderful and most fitting that Catherine and Pk received this most significant award on behalf of the team. They represent the two founding schools of our charity and the beating heart of our mission to use the power of sport to change lives for the better. They are absolutely outstanding and we simply would not be where we are today without their inspirational commitment and dedication.”
