NEWS
David Geldart invited to speak at South African Celebration Events
David Geldart, Assistant Headteacher at St. Mary’s Menston has recently spoken at two major events celebrating 20 Years of freedom and democracy in South Africa and the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela.
David Geldart, Assistant Headteacher at St. Mary’s Menston has recently spoken at two major events celebrating 20 Years of freedom and democracy in South Africa and the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela.
Mr Geldart is founder of the Bambisanani Partnership which has gained international acclaim for its work using sport to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership in one of South Africa’s poorest rural communities.
At an event at the Civic Hall in Leeds to celebrate the ‘Life and Legacy’ of Nelson Mandela, Mr Geldart spoke about ‘The Power of Sport’ to an invited audience and representatives from the South African High Commission including Minister Counsellor, Dumisani Ntuli, Counsellor Bilateral, Alan Wright and First Secretary, Carol Mabuza. Nelson Mandela is closely associated with the Leeds since his visit in 2001 where he awarded the Freedom of the City. Leeds played an active and significant role in the anti apartheid movement and today has a thriving partnership with Durban. At the Civic Reception Mr Geldart presented Minister Counsellor, Dumisani Ntuli with a painting from one of his students, Sara Riley which symbolises the work of the Bambisanani Partnership bringing the two countries together through sport.
A week later Mr Geldart was invited to speak at the South African High Commission in London as part of the Twenty Years of Freedom celebrations. At the event The South African High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, His Excellency, Obed Mlaba praised the work of the Bambisanani Partnership as ‘a remarkable story of hope and what can be achieved internationally through the combination of sport and education working together’.
“Mr Geldart said ‘The opportunity to contribute to these important events was a huge privilege; it was an amazing honour to be able to pay tribute to Nelson Mandela and promote his legacy of democracy, peace, justice and reconciliation. The legacy must continue and I look forward to working in my own City of Leeds and with the South African High a Commission to develop the use of sport for the benefit of young people in both countries’.”
'Celebrate Mandela' week throughout Leeds
In celebration of the life and work of Nelson Mandela, Leeds City Council commissioned Celebrate Mandela, a week-long series of arts and cultural events in April
In celebration of the life and work of Nelson Mandela, Leeds City Council commissioned Celebrate Mandela, a week-long series of arts and cultural events in April
Held across Leeds from April 24–30 2014, Celebrate Mandela marked a city wide celebration of the values and inspiration at the heart of Nelson Mandela’s phenomenal achievements. The aim of the week was to help to ensure that his impact lives on in the hearts, minds and actions of a city shaped by culture, diversity and heritage. Most importantly they will also contribute to sharing that story with young people so that his legacy and values live on in Leeds for generations to come.
Leeds has so much to celebrate about its very special relationship with Nelson Mandela and the people of South Africa. From the unforgettable day in 2001 when thousands gathered in Millennium Square to hear his thanks for our city’s role in the international anti-apartheid movement, to twinning with Durban. From the impact Mandela had on individuals, to civic gestures like the Freedom of the City, we want to celebrate his legacy and the milestones.
A cultural event held at St. Mary's Menston was the visit of International Artist Nils Burwitz to St. Mary's for a Workshop.
Nelson Mandela Quotes
Mr Geldart has curated some powerful Nelson Mandela quotes for our school community to reflect on. There is a colourful large-scale display with them on near our Performing Arts Studio (room H7)
"I am not a Saint, I am a sinner who just keeps trying.”
"No-one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”
"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
"During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”
(at his trial in 1964)
"Courageous people do not fear forgiving, for the sake of peace."
"Sport has the power to unite people in a way that little else can. Sport can create hope where there was once only despair. It breaks down racial barriers. It laughs in the face of all kinds of discrimination. Sport speaks to people in a language they can understand.”
"Our human compassion binds us the one to the other - not in pity or patronisingly, but as human beings who have learnt how to turn our common suffering into hope for the future.”
“As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison.”
"It always seems impossible until it's done.”
RIP Nelson Mandela 1918–2013
"I am not a Saint, I am a sinner who just keeps trying."
"I am not a Saint, I am a sinner who just keeps trying."
Videos
Nelson Mandela Quotes
"During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this strugle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."
Nelson Mandela at his trial in 1964.
"Young people you can be the great generation. Let your greatness blosssom."
"No-one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite."
"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it."
"Sport has the power to unite people in a way that little else can. Sport can create hope where there was once only despair. It breaks down racial barriers. It laughs in the face of all kinds of discrimination. Sport speaks to people in a language they can understand."
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."
"Our human compassion binds us the one to the other - not in pity or patronisingly, but as human beings who have learnt how to turn our common suffering into hope for the future."
"Courageous people do not fear forgiviing, for the sake of peace."
"It always seems impossible until it's done."
"Where globalisation means, as it so often does, that the rich and powerful now have new means to further enrich and empower themselves at the cost of the poorer and weaker, we have a responsibility to protest in the name of the universal freedom."
"A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination."
"For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others."
"After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb."
"There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children."
"Let freedom reign. The sun never set on so glorious a human achievement."
"There are times when a leader must move out ahead of the flock, go off in a new direction, confident that he is leading his people the right way."
"Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another."
"There are so many men and women who hold no distinctive positions but whose contribution towards the development of society has been enormous."
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."
Prayers
This prayer has been said throughout school during Morning prayers as we gave thanks for an extraordinary life well lived:
Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen
Nelson Mandela and Mnyakanya High School
Nelson Mandela personally arranged for the financing of Mnyakanya High School, as well as attending its opening in 2004 (an event attended by 20,000 people)
KZN village waits for Mandela [NEWS 24]
My Madiba Moments: The day he opened Mnyakanya School [THE NEW AGE]
Speech at the Opening of Mnyakanya School (5/03/2004) [POLITY.ORG.ZA]
Further Links
Nelson Mandela section [BBC NEWS]
Nelson Mandela Obituary [THE GUARDIAN]
Nelson Mandela [THE NEW YORKER MAGAZINE]