NEWS
Can you help The Bambisanani Partnership in 2025?
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.
Background:
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 over 40 schools, colleges 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 as making important contributions to UN Sustainable Development Goals and is a founding member of Sport and Sustainability International.
Over the past 18 years more than 27,000 young people from the UK and South Africa (from primary school through 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.
Beyond this the charity has been instrumental in bringing 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 in Greece. The Bambisanani Partnership was named as International Sport and Physical Education Charity of the Year 2023 and 2024.
Ambition for 2025 and funding requirements: Can you help?
In 2025 40 young people from St. Mary’s School, Menston, University of Leeds and Newcastle College will volunteer in South Africa developing existing programmes and introducing new ones. Between them the institutions and students have raised a remarkable £119,000 to fund their volunteering. We are not seeking funding for our volunteers; this is their responsibility and we believe that there is much learning to be gained from this process. These are remarkable young people who have a real desire to become global citizens and make a difference in the world, they are a constant inspiration to myself and the rest of the Bambisanani team. With £119,000 already in place we are seeking a further £26,500 to fund our priority projects on the ground in South Africa.
All of our projects are driven by community needs and engage local community members at all stages of planning and delivery. We have a policy of never funding 100% of any project. We always insist on an element of funding or contribution ‘in kind’ from South African sources. The partnership is absolutely committed to building capacity in the communities in which we work and empowering the people that we work with. Bambisanani means ‘working hand in hand’ and we are committed to that principle. All over the world I have seen ‘100% grants’ develop a ‘dependency culture’ within the communities that they are supposed to serve. This approach is frequently accompanied by a lack of real consultation with the local community - at best patronising and ultimately self-defeating; we operate differently.
Total funding requirement for 2025 = £145,500
Amount already raised for volunteering programmes = £119,000 (82% of total)
Remaining funding required for 2025 = £26,500 (18% of total)
In the year ahead we would like to develop nine community ‘needs led’ projects as identified below. There may be one that you might consider supporting in some way?
1. Cycling to Success
Our cycling project has proved a remarkable success in those remote, rural hills transforming lives as a means of transport, sport and recreation. Working in partnership with KZN Cycling (the Governing Body for Cycling in KZN) we aim to train 5,000 children (a year) how to both ride and maintain bikes. We need to raise £9,000 a year for the next two years which will be matched by KZN Cycling.
2. Thembinfundo Special School Water and Sanitation
is the latest school to become part of the Bambisanani Partnership. This remote rural Residential School has no access to water for toilet facilities – the situation is absolutely deplorable in terms of lack of hygiene and dignity; the environment is certainly not conducive to learning and desperately needs to be addressed asap. As a short-term emergency measure, we are installing two large water tanks at a cost of £1,700 but the longer-term solution is to bring clean water to the school via a Bore Hole – we are therefore seeking £5,000 for this purpose. Access to clean water would transform this school and the learning environment for the 200 children and their teachers.
3. Thembinfundo Special School Sport
We are also working to develop Physical Education and Sport at the school. We made a good start with this introducing some basic equipment and training which has had a significant impact. We are currently working with a number of agencies in South Africa to expand this programme at the school and we wish to introduce more teaching and learning opportunities. This next stage of development for sports and sensory equipment will cost £2,000. The development of Physical Education and Sport will radically improve the school experience for its learners.
4. Bambisanani International Athletics Challenge
This project started during Covid to link primary schools in the UK and in South Africa in a series of athletic challenges. Principals have hailed the programme as a tremendous success - improving academic performance, behaviour, attendance and self-esteem. The majority of the South African schools had no prior experience of athletics. £2300 is required to provide the basic equipment for the South African schools. £1,300 is available from South African sources and UK primary schools (fundraising events) so we need to raise £1,000 to make this programme happen for over 500 learners.
5. Leadership programmes
Our ‘leadership through sports programmes’ are our longest running programmes and they have proved an exceptional success in both primary schools and secondary schools. The medium of sport is a tremendously powerful vehicle for developing generic leadership skills. Many young people who have successfully completed this course have gone to use their skills in the wider community to great effect. We need to purchase £2000 of sports equipment each year to facilitate these programmes in both the primary and secondary schools. £1000 is already in place to fund this programme but another £1,000 is required to train 100 young Sports Leaders.
6. Literacy
We are supporting a KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education Department priority of developing Literacy in the remote rural areas. In the year ahead we would like to provide a further 500 books at a cost of £1,000.
7. University Bursaries
Each year we try and support at least two students, who, against all the odds, gain a university place, but cannot raise all the funding required. We are currently supporting two young ladies who are training to become teachers at the University of South Africa. They have both raised between 70 and 80% of course fees themselves and we will try and make up the shortfall (that will make the difference) i.e. £2,000.
8. Educational visits of South African students and teachers to the UK
Such visits have a tremendous positive impact, as indeed we saw in 2024, and would like to encourage further visits (hopefully annually) in the future by raising £2,000 to contribute towards costs.
9. Shoes for children that don’t have any
Despite walking great distances to school many children that we work with do not have shoes or shoes that fit them. Working with the My Walk charity we provide shoes made from recycled hospital waste at a cost of £1.53 (R35) a pair. In 2025 we aim to provide 500 more pairs of shoes. £265 is already in place so we need to raise a further £500.
Administration
Not the most exciting aspect of our work to fund but nevertheless vitally important as it ensures that all the above happens. With no staff to pay or premises to look after our administration costs are absolutely minimal. Our costs for the year ahead will be in the region of £3,000.
For the future we also have a longer-term plan to build a Football/Sports pitch near Mnyakanya School to serve both the school and the wider community. The land has already been gifted to us and the plans have been drawn up. The total cost of the project will be £85,000 with over half of the funding to come from South African sources. There is no such facility in the area; it has the potential to have a transformational impact on the lives of young people through all the benefits that sport can bring. We also have the opportunity to build an additional classroom for computer use at Mnyakanya School at a cost of £20,000.
I would be more than happy to supply further information if required and indeed to meet with you to discuss our programme and aspirations in more detail.
Via this link it is possible to make a ‘one off’ donation to the charity or indeed set up a monthly payment.
David Geldart, Founder/CEO The Bambisanani Partnership (UK Registered Charity 1163461)
Founder praises charity team for outstanding year of hard work and impact
The amazing Bambisanani team has worked tirelessly, frequently in the most challenging of circumstances, to ensure that this has been our most successful year to date in terms of development, programmes, participation and impact:
David Geldart, Founder and Volunteer CEO of the Bambisanani Partnership has praised the work of the charity’s team members for their outstanding dedication and effectiveness during 2024.
Over the course of the past 18 years, the Leeds based charity has engaged and connected over 27,000 young people from both South Africa and the UK in its various programmes and projects using the power of sport to promote education, health, global citizenship. 2024 saw a record number of 10,623 young people from both counties involved. The inspirational work of this small charity, run entirely by volunteers, has gained global recognition.
Over a three-month period in the summer 30 student volunteers and 8 members of staff from St. Mary’s School, Menston; The University of Leeds and Newcastle College worked with 33 different schools and 4,708 learners in remote rural KwaZulu-Natal. This included 10 new schools being added to the various programmes this year. Primary and secondary school learners participated in a range of activities including: Sports Festivals, Sports Coaching sessions, Cycling Clinics, Leadership Programmes, Literacy Festivals and wider academic curricular support.
Throughout the year the charity’s pioneering Cycling partnership with KZN Cycling trained 5,604 young people how to ride and maintain bikes. This work has now progressed to include various Cycling Competitions and a Talent Identification Programme. Owen Botha, President of KZN Cycling recently said, “The growth of the cycling family in the Nkandla area is heartening to see with more young learners being exposed to the sport on a regular basis. This is obviously only possible through our ongoing association with the Bambisanani Partnership, and this is a story that continues to write new and interesting chapters each day.”
Also, throughout the year 355 children from 13 UK and South African primary schools joined together to participate in the Bambisanani International Athletics Challenge. Supported by a range of Bambisanani based interventions 2024 saw Mnyakanya High School achieve its best ever academic results. It was a particular pleasure this year to welcome Mnyakanya School educators and learners to Leeds for a most wonderful action packed educational and cultural visit. There was further success for Mnyakanya through student Thobile Nsibande who qualified as a teacher at the University of South Africa with the support of a Bambisanani Higher Education Bursary. In a year of great innovation and development 8-year-old Althaea Dickenson from York introduced and led a new Bambisanani initiative based on World Book Day that brought 1091 reading books to South African primary schools.
Four new and ongoing Bambisanani initiatives have had a significant impact throughout the year. At Thembinfundo Special School the charity has introduced Sport and Physical Education to the curriculum and has also installed Water Tanks providing clean drinking water and significantly improving sanitation. In an initiative led by Newcastle College, the partnership worked with South African charity ‘My Walk’ to provide all the learners at Ngqamzana Primary School with a pair of shoes. Many children were found to have no shoes or ill-fitting shoes despite having to walk considerable distances to school. Remarkably My Walk produce the shoes from recycled hospital plastics at a cost of 35 Rand (£1.53) a pair. 716 pairs were provided by the charity for the school this year. Additionally, collaborating with Rotary International and local Rotary Clubs in the UK and South Africa ICT provision at Mnyakanya School has been further developed resulting in higher attainment and increased enrolment at the school.
Yet again this year the charity has been recognised for its commitment and contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals 3, 4, 5, 6, 10 and 17 namely Good Health and Wellbeing, Quality Education, Gender Equality, Clean Water and Sanitation, Reduced Inequalities and Partnership for Goals. It is the experience of the partnership that these are very important issues for young people and that its international collaborative encounters and activities significantly enhance their knowledge, understanding and motivation to become proactive global citizens who wish to create a kinder, more equitable and sustainable future.
Recognising, rewarding and celebrating the achievement of young people through annual awards is an important aspect of the charity’s work. During 2024, 19 special awards were presented across both countries and five schools. This is included three new awards at Thembinfundo Special School in memory of Matt Harvey for Sportswoman, Sportsman and Sports Leader of the Year.
During the year significant amounts of money were raised and donated by Bambisanani volunteers, institutions and supporters. Sponsored events saw supporters walk, run, climb, row, swim and cycle some incredible distances in order to raise much needed funds. Bambisanani activities could not happen without this generosity and tremendous effort.
With no employees or premises all money donated and raised goes to fund front line projects and activities. Furthermore, it is the policy of the charity always to seek a percentage of funding for every project from South African sources and indeed only for projects that have been identified by local communities. The partnership remains an incredibly lean and efficient organisation committed to respectful and sustainable development.
This has been a year of considerable external recognition for the partnership. For the second year running Bambisanani was named as International Sport and Physical Education Charity of the Year. Most fittingly the award was presented in South Africa to Mrs Catherine Chattoe, Bambisanani Coordinator at St. Mary’s School and Mrs PK Zondi Bambisanani Coordinator at Mnyakanya High School. St. Mary’s and Mnyakanya are the two founding schools of the partnership. The outstanding work of Brogan O’Connor and her Newcastle College team was also recognised by being named as an Association of Colleges Beacon Finalist for the British Council Award for Excellence in International Work. The exceptional work of Miss Mazet Langa at Mnyakanya School was highlighted by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education at a special awards ceremony. The charity was also honoured this year with an invitation of Founder and CEO, David Geldart to attend the 30th Anniversary of Democracy at a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey in London.
David Geldart was full of praise for the Bambisanani team, “This has been our most successful year to date and it simply could not happen without our small army of volunteers, supporters and sponsors from both countries. They are wonderful selfless people who continually go the extra mile in order to make small but significant differences in the world. Behind all the impressive statistics from this year are real people who made it happen and real people whose lives have been positively impacted. All our work is ‘needs led’ and driven by the schools and communities in South Africa that we work with; it is a great honour to be able to collaborate and learn with them. Our aim is to develop capacity and empower the communities in which we work not to create a dependency culture. Our work has always striven to create genuine ‘two-way’ learning opportunities for young people from both countries. On my very first visit to South Africa, I was told the old Zulu proverb – ‘if you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together’. Together, as a team, we have managed not only to sustain but to significantly develop our work over that time. However, like all good teams we are never content and are already planning for a very ambitious 2025!”
Please also see:
Bambisanani in Numbers page on our website
Some Bambisanani Highlights from 2024
Bambisanani Partnership 2024 Highlights
2024 proved to be the most impressive year of collaborations and impact of The Bambisanani Partnership to date.
The year saw a record number of 10,623 young people from both counties involved in its various programmes and projects using the power of sport to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership. Over the course of the past 18 years the partnership has now engaged and connected over 27,000 young people from both South Africa and the UK in its pioneering work. The inspirational work of this charity, run entirely by volunteers, continues to make a small but significant difference in the world.
Some Bambisanani Partnership Highlights from 2024:
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.”
Members of the Bambisanani team from the UK and South Africa would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
uKhisimusi omuhe nonyaka omusha omuhle
Many thanks for all your tremendous help and support that enables us to do all that we do
Ngiyabonga kakhulu
Joy to The World
St. Mary’s Christmas Message to Mnyakanya High School 2024
This year has brought our school many blessings, the greatest
of which was the visitation by PK, Mazet, Eunice, Amahle and
Bayanda; our very own travellers from afar. They brought their
gifts of joy, laughter and love and distributed them abundantly
and freely. We give thanks for the riches our partnership brings
to all and the great sharing and exchange of God’s gifts. We
pray for the Mnyakanya community at this wonderful time of
year when we focus on the Holy Family and ask that God
continues to grace our combined efforts, as a partnership
family, bringing us closer together in heart mind and soul.
Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas.
With our love.
Your friends at St Mary's, Menston.
This is a message from Mnyakanya High School, a school in the Nkandla region of Kwa Zulu Natal in South Africa.
St. Mary’s Menston have been working with Mnyakanya for 18 years.
Dear friends,
As the holiday season approaches, we would like to take a moment to send our warmest wishes to our dearest friends, your loved ones and your community. Although we may be miles apart, the spirit of Christmas brings us closer together in heart, mind and soul. Our year has been filled with happiness, triumphs and challenges, but we are grateful for our friendship and partnership. St. Mary’s support and kindness have meant the world to us, and we cherish the moments we've shared even from afar. May your Christmas be filled with joy laughter and the warmth of family and friends.
Here's to a prosperous New Year ahead, filled with new adventures and
opportunities for us to explore together.
Wishing you all the magic and wonder of the season.
Lots of love
Mnyakanya High School
St. Mary’s South Africa Visit 2024
By Charlotte Wood
The Bambisanani Partnership has gained international acclaim for its pioneering work in one of South Africa’s poorest regions, using sport as a catalyst to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership. This summer has seen the multi award-winning charity take on its most ambitious volunteering project in its 18-year history. Students and staff from St. Mary’s School, Menston, the University of Leeds and Newcastle College have recently returned from South Africa where both individually and collaboratively they extended and developed the work of the partnership.
Following eighteen months of preparation, planning and fundraising, thirteen students from St. Mary’s embarked on a mission to deliver a ‘Leadership Through Sport’ programme’ to students at Mnyakanya High School situated in the remote, rural Nkandla area. This year’s visit was led by Charlotte Wood with support from Catherine Chattoe and David Farmer.
The student team comprised of Jake Flatman, Oscar Willis, James Allenby, James Lawrence, Malachy Caldwell, Ciaran Diamond, Gus Burrows, Holly Taylor, Freya Power, Florence Northway, Abigail Samways, Evelyn Paduch and Amelia Devine.
Throughout their visit, St. Mary’s students were assisted by four students from Eshowe High School; Mandisi Simelane, Nothando Khoza, Minenhle Sibiya and Nondumiso Hadebe; who supported them with the delivery of the leadership programme and provided invaluable assistance with English and Zulu language translation.
The visit started in rural Nkandla where St. Mary’s students led and organised the Bambisanani Schools’ Athletic competition with for local primary schools. Impressive times and distances stunned the student leaders especially given that many participants were barefooted and running on difficult terrain.
Following four intense days of athletics coaching and leadership training, thirty Mnyakanya High School students were fully equipped and confident enough to organise and host a spectacular Sports and Reading Festival for over 120 children from Ntolwane Primary School. Both Festivals were a tremendous success and enjoyed by all. Additionally, as part of the visit, the St. Mary’s students delivered lessons in a wide range of curriculum areas. Enthusiastic staff and students from Mnyakanya High School experienced high quality lessons in history, maths, biology, and geography.
At a special presentation ceremony and partnership celebration, Mnyakanya students received their much-deserved Leadership awards and students from Mnyakanya and Ntolwane Primary school were presented with a series of annual Bambisanani awards from the John Paul II Foundation for Sport as well as very special awards in memory of Lawrie McCauley, Sbonelo Magwaza and Heather Read.
In collaboration with Newcastle College, St. Mary’s visited Thembimfundo Special School for children with various disabilities and challenges. The team ran a Sports Day for the children, which included dancing, high jump, boccia, javelin and parachute games. It was moving, rewarding and insightful to see how well the children did, and to see how happy they were participating in the activities. The UK team hosted a celebration ceremony where they were delighted to present, for the very first-time, awards in memory of former St. Mary’s teacher Matt Harvey. The awards celebrated students who had demonstrated excellence, determination and leadership in sport. The visit highlighted major water and sanitation problems at Thembinfuno. The charity has subsequently committed to working with the school, local community and Department of Education to try and rectify what is a truly appalling situation. During the visit, David Farmer, Deputy Headteacher from St. Joseph’s Primary School in Pudsey committed to walking, running and climbing the equivalent distance and height of the three highest Mountains in Africa in order to raise funds for the water and sanitation project.
The final part of the visit saw the St. Mary’s students volunteering at uMlalazi Day Centre and Crèche, a centre for orphans and vulnerable children run by the Zulufadder Children’s Trust. This was a magical time for St. Mary’s students where they loved promoting literacy bringing stories to life with the use of props and toys. The students also acted out Going on a Bear Hunt read by David Farmer and had a teddy bears picnic.
David Geldart, Founder of the Bambisanani Partnership and former St. Mary’s School teacher said, “The commitment of St. Mary’s to this initiative is simply phenomenal. This is where it all began and 18 years on more than 50 educational institutions are now involved and 27,000 young people from both countries have engaged in our programmes and projects. During that time more than 200 students and 15 teachers from the school have volunteered in South Africa. This year the St. Mary’s team worked with no less than 13 different schools and 1449 young people. I have nothing but praise and admiration for the teachers who continually go the extra mile, and more, to create such fantastic educational opportunities for their young people. The St. Mary’s students are remarkable; they are outstanding young people who respond exceptionally well to all the challenges and opportunities that volunteering in rural KwaZulu-Natal brings. It is always great to see a school that is serious about living its values.”
Bambisanani Partnership brings water to Thembinfundo Special School
Imagine you had no running water? Imagine the implications for drinking, cooking, cleaning, using a toilet?
Imagine you were a Principal of a Residential Special School in rural and remote South Africa with no running water and 280 learners?
This was the biggest challenge facing Thembimfundo Special School in KwaZulu-Natal and the Principal Mr Dalmini. Together with members of the local community, he identified getting clean water into the school as their number one priority.
After an initial visit to the school in January 2023 and two subsequent visits by members of the Bambisanani Partnership team and student volunteers from St. Mary’s School and Newcastle College, this also became an urgent priority for the partnership. Volunteers were shocked and outraged by the conditions and lack of appropriate sanitation. Member of the Bambisanani team, David Farmer, Deputy Headteacher from St. Joseph’s Primary School, Pudsey said “It’s absolutely deplorable; no child or teacher deserves to endure such conditions.” Bambisanani Trustee and Enrichment and Development Manager at Newcastle College, Brogan O’Connor said:. “The conditions are unhygienic and certainly not conducive to optimising teaching and learning; we have to be able to do better than this in this day and age. Having spent time at the school, students and staff from Newcastle are determined to work with all stakeholders in order to improve the situation.”
Resourcing and providing sports equipment for the school has been challenging enough for the partnership; but the purchasing, installation and sustaining of Water Tanks to provide this precious commodity was extremely difficult; but not impossible!
First step
Base being added
New water tanks
With the involvement of Eshowe Rotary Club and Nick Phillips’ expertise and with funds from the partnership, there are now Water Tanks in place for the whole school. On his return from South Africa, David Farmer began a sponsored project to raise funds for the Water Tanks by walking, running and climbing the equivalent distance and height of Africa’s three highest mountains. Earlier in the year Brogan and her team from Newcastle College raised funds for the project by completing the gruelling ultra endurance UK Three Peaks Challenge – ascending the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales within 24 hours.
Imagine the difference all this will make.
Mr Dalmini has said “I cannot express in words our thanks, appreciation and gratitude. The difference this will make to our Learners and Educators is beyond my wildest dreams.”
Bambisanani Trustee, Barbara Pounder was one of the first members of the partnership to visit Thembinfundo and has led the initiative to bring water to the school. “Here we came across a school and community who had identified a basic human need. Working in partnership we have made great progress – the school has some clean water now! We are delighted to have been part of the team that is helping to bring about transformative changes to the school but we would like to go further.”
For the moment the Water Tanks are being filled by Water Tanker vehicles from the Municipality. This is a short-term emergency measure and ideally for the future the drilling of a bore hole offers the possibility of a long-term solution.
Working with the school, local community, KZN Department of Education, Eshowe Rotary Club and potential sponsors the Bambisanani Partnership is currently exploring the feasibility of drilling a bore hole on the school site to access clean water on demand. The tanks already purchased will help store the water from the bore hole.
Just imagine what a difference this would make if this became a reality.
Just imagine!
Also see related articles:
St. Mary’s School raise the bar with two remarkable visits to South Africa this year (14/11/2023)
Teacher runs, swims, cycles and rows his virtual way to Africa to raise funds for Special School (29/03/2024)
Newcastle College Team Triumphs in UK 3 Peaks Challenge, Raising £2,845 for The Bambisanani Partnership (21/05/2024)
Newcastle College shortlisted for ‘Excellence in International Work’ Award
An international project involving Newcastle College and the The Bambisanani Partnership has been named a finalist in the prestigious Association of Colleges (AoC) Beacon Awards 2024.
The collaboration, led by Enrichment and Development Manager, Brogan O'Connor, sees staff and students from Newcastle College volunteer in South Africa each year, to work with more than 1,000 children in schools and orphanages. In addition to this the college is also involved in ongoing projects in South Africa.
Shortlisted for ‘Excellence in International Work’, the project gives Newcastle College students the unique opportunity to work in rural South Africa, delivering sports and exercise sessions while volunteering to support other community projects.
The fundamental aim of the partnership is to create genuine ‘two-way’ learning between both countries, with sports used as a central learning tool to help the children develop skills and opportunities that will help promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership.
The visits are filled with heartfelt exchanges, cultural performances, and community engagement, giving students from Newcastle College the chance to develop skills in teamwork, leadership and communication, whilst boosting their confidence.
Project Leader and Bambisanani Partnership trustee, Brogan O'Connor said: “This is a real honour and a testament to the hard work of the staff and students who have travelled, supported, and worked so hard to make the educational visits possible.
“A fundamental aim of the partnership is to create genuine ‘two-way’ learning between young people from both countries, with a key focus on working and learning together. The Bambisanani story is testimony of the power of sport to change lives.
"I'm incredibly proud and grateful to be a part of the work Newcastle College and the partnership is doing in the UK and in South Africa and look forward to seeing what can be achieved in the years to come."
An AoC judging panel will visit the College in December to hear from staff and students about the fantastic work the partnership does, and the impact it has on the young people taking part, both in the UK and in South Africa.
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Newcastle College lead on new Bambisanani shoe initiative changing lives in South Africa (02/12/2024)
Newcastle College students are outstanding members of the Bambisanani Partnership in South Africa (21/06/2024)
Newcastle College Team Triumphs in UK 3 Peaks Challenge, Raising £2,845 for The Bambisanani Partnership (21/05/2024)
Newcastle College lead on new Bambisanani shoe initiative changing lives in South Africa
It’s difficult to imagine life without a pair of shoes – sadly, that is the harsh reality for many children in remote, rural South Africa despite having to walk considerable distances to and from school each day.
It’s difficult to imagine life without a pair of shoes – sadly, that is the harsh reality for many children in remote, rural South Africa despite having to walk considerable distances to and from school each day.
Brogan O’Connor, Bambisanani Partnership coordinator at Newcastle College and trustee of the charity found that most of the children at Ngqamzana Primary School in KwaZulu Natal either did not have any shoes or had shoes that didn’t fit them properly. Discussions with the local community and Bambisanani supporters led to Brogan being introduced to the MyWalk charity in South Africa. MyWalk is an amazing South African organisation that turns single-use PVC drip bags, oxygen masks and associated tubing into brand new shoes. Remarkably the shoes are produced at the cost of £1.53 (R35) a pair. The school and local community identified a need for 716 pairs of school shoes and Brogan, together with great team support from Newcastle College raised the necessary funds to get all the children at the school a pair of shoes. There was great excitement at the school this week when the shoes arrived!
Mr Elijah Mhlanga, Chief Director of National and Provincial Communication in the Department of Basic Education in South Africa recently highlighted the importance of this issue:
“School shoes are a basic necessity, and if learners do not have adequate footwear, this can introduce ongoing obstacles to their education including bullying and harassment at school. Having school shoes can enhance the schooling experience for learners. Many learners unfortunately still walk long distances to and from school without shoes, facing a daily threat of sustaining cuts and infections.”
Mr L.F Msimango, Principal of Ngqamzana Primary School said, “I speak on behalf of the learners, educators, parents and community members and wish to thank Miss Brogan, Mr Barry and all the team from Newcastle College and the Bambisanani Partnership for the shoes that have arrived at my school. Your visits and programmes connect us with the wider world. We are proud to be members of the partnership. The shoes are so vital and we appreciate your humanity. I can assure you that the shoes will be very looked after. We are looking forward already to your next visit and interacting with your students.”
The Bambisanani Partnership Shoe initiative in partnership with MyWalk is not a ‘one off’ or isolated event for the charity at Ngqamzana Primary School. It forms part of much bigger holistic picture of the school being part of the partnership in ongoing programmes that promote education, sport, health, global citizenship and leadership. A special relationship has developed between the school and Newcastle College that is committed to working together and learning together.
Brogan O’Connor, added, “Having ‘worked hand in hand’ with Ngqamzana Primary School staff and learners for two years, it was clear to see how desperate it was that these learners received shoes to enable them to walk to school safely and comfortably to receive their education. Many learners had no school shoes at all and many were in Ill-fitting or unsuitable shoes. We are so thankful to have been introduced to the amazing team at MyWalk and to see all 716 pairs of shoes arrive safely at Ngqamzana Primary School. It’s hard to put into words what a significant impact this will have on the learners, staff and wider community. This partnership wouldn’t have been possible without our friends and partners in South Africa as well as the strength of the Newcastle College team who competed the gruelling UK 3 Peaks Challenge to raise the necessary funding for this project. I’m looking forward to returning to Ngqamzana in May to expand our programme there and of course to seeing the school shoes in action.”
David Geldart, Founder and CEO of the Bambisanani Partnership said: “Newcastle College is a key and dynamic member of the partnership, their pioneering work in very challenging circumstances is having a real and positive impact on the young people that it brings together from South Africa and Newcastle. Brogan’s leadership is exceptional and her students are also developing as outstanding young leaders themselves who want to continue to make a difference in the world, The Shoe initiative has brought us together with new friends from the MyWalk charity. Our work is very much about creating mutually beneficial partnerships and this one is really special; there is considerable synergy. Our focus on the UN Global Sustainably Goals is greatly reinforced and enhanced by working with them. The MyWalk partnership is sensitive and sympathetic to the environment by contributing to reducing healthcare waste to landfill and associated greenhouse gas emissions that are harmful to the environment. They are a fantastic example of embracing a circular economy and making it a reality. They show how a green solution can fulfil a material need for business while simultaneously benefiting society – in this case by supporting education, job creation and enterprise development. We look forward to ongoing collaborations with them and others in order to make the world a kinder, more equitable and sustainable place. It is our experience that collaborative international encounters significantly amplify this motivation and promote genuine global citizenship.”
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Bambisanani Partnership recognised for contribution to UN Sustainable Development Goals (20/11/2024)
Newcastle College students are outstanding members of the Bambisanani Partnership in South Africa (21/06/2024)
Newcastle College Team Triumphs in UK 3 Peaks Challenge, Raising £2,845 for The Bambisanani Partnership (21/05/2024)
Bambisanani Partnership recognised for contribution to UN Sustainable Development Goals
Yet again the Bambisanani Partnership charity has been recognised for its commitment and contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals 3, 4, 5, 6, 10 and 17 namely Good Health and Wellbeing, Quality Education, Gender Equality, Clean Water and Sanitation, Reduced Inequalities and Partnerships for the Goals through its inspirational work in South Africa.
David Geldart from the partnership said, "Our contribution towards each of these interrelated goals may be small in the scale of things but they are nonetheless important and very significant. This is how individuals and organisations must start - in a small but purposeful way - it doesn't matter how small the action is, it will make a difference and it will set an example especially to young people. Organisations like ours that work with young people have a responsibility to highlight the UN Sustainable Development Goals and encourage positive actions and behaviours. Every day presents us with a with a myriad of opportunities to make a real difference and a chance to live more authentic and meaningful lives. The UN Sustainable Development Goals provide a wonderful focus for educators and learners. Our experience is that young people in both South Africa and the UK are concerned about the future but are extremely keen indeed to make the world a kinder, more equitable and sustainable place. It is also our experience that collaborative international encounters significantly amplify this motivation and promote genuine global citizenship."
“Do your little bit of good where you are; its those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”
The Bambisanani Partnership is a founding member of Sport and Sustainability International.
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