NEWS
Bambisanani Awards continue to inspire
The annual Bambisanani Awards are always a cause of great interest and excitement as they continue to recognise, reward and inspire young people in South Africa and the UK.
The annual Bambisanani Awards are always a cause of great interest and excitement as they continue to recognise, reward and inspire young people in South Africa and the UK.
At Vumanhlamvu Primary School, 3 Bambisanani Awards were presented in memory of Jordan Sinnott:
The Sports Leader of the Year was named as Philani Shezi, the football team captain for 2023
"I would like to thank the Bambisanani Partnership, my school and the Sinnott family for giving me this opportunity to participate in sports and show my leadership. I am so very happy to be announced as a winner of this big award. I thank the Bambisanani Partnership for donating sports equipment."
Sportswomen of the Year was Silindokuhle Mvela who was 100 meters District Champion in Athletics in 2023.
"The Bambisanani Athletics programme in our school has helped me to be a winner and to represent Nkandla at District level. Thank you, Bambisanani Partnership, for introducing the Athletics Challenge and donating equipment which has helped us a lot. I am very proud to lift the trophy in memory of Jordan.”
Sportsman of the Year was Simphilele Ngonyama who was the top goal scorer in the local Schools Football Tournament in 2023.
"l would like to thank my school and the Bambisanani partnership for the beautiful programme which has helped us to improve not only in sports but in our other school subjects as well. I am honoured to raise the Jordan Sinnott Award for Sportsman of the Year; I am inspired to do more.”
William Vilakazi, Principal of Vumanhlamvu remarked, "Having Jordan Sinnott Awards in our school inspires learners. The awards help learners from a young age to develop not only sporting skills but also the social skills to work with their teammates, make new friends and learn how rewarding it is to participate in team sports. It has also improved self-esteem of most learners in our school, learners are hungry to succeed in all sports activities in order to lift these prestigious awards. We thank the Sinnott family and we were so sorry to hear recently of the passing of Jordan’s Mum, Melanie, who was a great supporter of the Bambisanani Partnership and of our school; May she Rest in Peace with Jordan.”
At Mnyakanya High School, 8 Awards were presented to learners by Miss Charlotte Wood from St. Mary’s during the recent visit to South Africa by student volunteers:
Laurie McCauley Most Improved Footballer Award: Velani Mtshali
Laurie McCauley Creative Writing Award: Athandile Gumede
Helping Others Achieve Their Potential Award: Uyabusa Mvubu
True Spirit of Sport Award: Nombulelo Shangase
Sbonelo Magwaza Outstanding Leadership Award: Bayanda Gcaba
Sportswoman of the Year Award: Seluleko Nzuza
Sportsman of the Year Award: Luthando Mnqayi
The Sbonelo Magwaza Award for Outstanding leadership: Anna Ciesluk
A Sbonelo Magwaza Outstanding Leadership Award is also presented at St. Mary’s, Menston to a student volunteer from the school who has shown exceptional leadership in South Africa. Speaking at an Awards Ceremony Miss Charlotte Wood said, “I would just like to say that Mr Harvey, Mrs. Chattoe and I were and still are super proud of all of the St. Mary’s students who worked out in South Africa in July 2023. Whilst working on the project, the Bambisanani team are asked to nominate a student for this award. The team are looking for someone who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the work of the partnership. The recipient of this award knew they wanted to be involved in the work of The Bambisanani Partnership when they joined St. Mary’s in Year 7, and upon hearing they had a place on the visit, this student did everything they could to make sure they were fully prepared for their work in South Africa and were adamant they would do what it takes to get the best out of it. The winner of this award is very special. They truly encompass everything that the partnership is about. Compassion, Service Kindness. In the final blog of the visit, Mr. Harvey said this person was born to lead, always the first to volunteer, chatted with everyone an couldn’t be phased by any challenge. She is an exceptional young person. I am delighted to award The Sbonelo Magwaza Award for Outstanding leadership to Anna Ciesluk.”
The Heather Read Award for Outstanding Resilience goes to Ntuli Samkelisiwe
It was a great honour this year to unveil and introduce a completely new annual award at Mnyakanya School: The Heather Read Award for Outstanding Resilience. At the presentation ceremony Mrs Catherine Chattoe, Bambisanani Coordinator at St. Mary’s visiting South Africa said:
“Heather Read loved the Bambisanani Partnership and was a great supporter of the charity. The Bambisanani Partnership has a longstanding special relationship with Rotarians in the UK, South Africa and internationally and Heather was instrumental in so many of our joint projects that have transformed young people’s lives in South Africa. Heather was the first female President of the UK’s Aireborough Rotary Club in its history of more than 60 years. Heather was a volunteer at a charity shop for a cancer Hospice. She was a vice principal at a special school. A church warden at St Peter’s Parish Church in Rawdon. A school governor at St Peter’s Church of England Primary. She was also a Community Ambassador for a local cancer charity. Heather Read was ground breaking in her election as president, she challenged the rules of the society, she paved the way and made the society more responsive and inclusive. She showed compassion to everyone she met. She was the corner stone of her family and a support to all her friends. She spent her whole career teaching children and young adults who found life challenging. She helped people become the best that they could be.
The recipient of this award has, successfully coped with difficult or challenging life experiences. Shown mental and emotional strength when faced with problems, proved to be a good friend and team member, acting with compassion and understanding. This person always has a positive outlook. The Heather Read Award for Outstanding Resilience goes to Ntuli Samkelisiwe”
Additionally, at Mnyakanya three Bambisanani Awards were presented to educators, Mr SV Nugubane, Mrs PK Zondi and Miss M Langa for their outstanding contribution to the partnership.
Three Bambisanani Awards were also presented for Ntolwane Primary School:
Sportswomen of the Year Award: Luyanda Magwaza
Sportsman of the Year Award: Thobani Mhlongo
Sports Leader of the Year Award: Samkelisiwi Geada
Mr Moses Xulu, Bambisanani Coordinator at Ntolwane said, “I wish to highlight the importance of Bambisanani Awards in our school. Bambisanani Awards at Ntolwane play a pivotal role in ensuring that our learners do participate in a wide range of sporting activities. In short, the awards are a motivator and encourager to all participants who love sports; at Ntolwane they have created more interest in sports which benefits the entire curriculum."
David Geldart from the partnership said, “Congratulations to all the recipients of this year’s awards. Many thanks also to the teachers in all of our schools that continue to provide learners with the opportunities, encouragement and support that enables them to shine and to be recognised. Special thanks to Monsignor Vladimir Felzmann (Father Vlad) for his tremendous support with these awards. We remember especially at this time the awards in memory of Laurie McCauley, Sbonelo Magwaza, Jordan Sinnott and Heather Read; we know that these awards, that motivate and inspire others, bring strength and comfort to their families. What we also know is that many students already have an eye to the awards in 2024!”
Published: 21/12/2023
Bambisanani Awards are a cause for great excitement at South African primary school
The annual presentation of the Bambisanani Partnership Awards sponsored by the John Paul II Foundation for Sport is always cause for real excitement at Ntolwane Primary School set high in the hills of rural KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa.
The annual presentation of the Bambisanani Partnership Awards sponsored by the John Paul II Foundation for Sport is always cause for real excitement at Ntolwane Primary School set high in the hills of rural KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa.
From left to right: Sabelo Nzama, Sfundo Myeza, Alwande Nala
This year was certainly no exception when the three winners were announced at a special ceremony:
Sportswoman of the Year: Alwande Nala
Sportsman of the Year: Sabelo Nzama
Sports Leader of the Year: Sfundo Myeza
Sportswoman of the Year: Alwande Nala
"I would like to thank teachers and learners who have nominated me as Sportswoman of the Year. I didn't believe it but I feel so happy. I love sports and this has motivated me even more."
Sports Leader of the Year: Sfundo Myeza
"I am very much excited to be chosen as Sport Leader of the Year. This makes me feel more love for sports and it also encourages me to be more involved in sports. I see it like climbing a ladder that takes me towards good things and away from wrong things."
Sportsman of the Year: Sabelo Nzama
"I feel much happiness and confidence to become Sportsman of the Year. At first I was not taking sports seriously but now I am much encouraged to be more involved in sports; I really enjoy biking."
Mr MM Xulu, Sports Coordinator and Bambisanani Coordinator at Ntolwane commented:
"As Ntolwane Primary we wish to thank the Bambisanani Partnership and the John Paul II Foundation for motivating and encouraging learners to be much more involved in sports. This is so important for their holistic development as young people and we really appreciate it.”
David Geldart, from the partnership first visited Ntolwane School 16 years ago and was full of praise for the school, its students and its teachers: “Ntolwane School really understands the power of sport and its positive educational impact on its young people. The teachers provide great opportunities and it is a real honour to be able to present these special awards each year. The annual Sports, Reading and Numeracy Festivals held at the school, organised jointly by students from St. Mary’s High School (Menston, UK) and Mnyakanya High School, Nkandla, are always a fantastic highlight in the Bambisanani calendar. Massive congratulations to Alwande, Sabelo and Sifundo on winning these prestigious awards in a school that has so much sporting talent. We wish them well for the future and will be watching their progress both on the sports field and in the classroom with great interest. Special thanks must also go to Father Vlad and the John Paul II Foundation for Sport for sponsoring these awards each year.”
Bambisanani Awards presented at Ntolwane Primary School in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
There was much excitement at Ntolwane Primary School this week as the annual Bambisanani Awards were presented to three outstanding learners.
There was much excitement at Ntolwane Primary School this week as the annual Bambisanani Awards were presented to three outstanding learners.
From left to right: Ayanda Gcaba Sportswoman of the Year, Mhlonishwa Nzuza Sportsman of the Year, Gugulethu Ntombela Sports Leader of the Year
The awards are sponsored and supported by the John Paul II Foundation for Sport and the recipients recognised this year are:
Sportswomen of the Year: Ayanda Gcaba
Sportsman of the Year: Mhlonishwa Nzuza
Sports Leader of the Year: Gugulethu Ntombela
The outstanding trio were delighted to receive the awards:
Ayanda Gcaba
"I am so pleased to be nominated and elected as Sportswoman of the Year, this will motivate and make me work much harder now so that I always keep myself fit."
Mhlonishwa Nzuza
"Participating in sports makes me feel good. I love sports and I always want to be part of it; sport is in my blood. I hope that my participation in sports and this special award will motivate others as well."
Gugulethu Ntombela
"To be Sports Leader of the Year make me to feel so good as it is about helping others to take part in sports. I feel so excited and it motivates me to do more."
Mr MM Xulu, teacher and Bambisanani Coordinator at Ntolwane Primary School said: “We are pleased to be part of these important awards as they expose our young talent and motivate our learners to participate in sports in a good way. We appreciate the support of the Bambisanani Partnership and the John Paul II Foundation for Sport for helping to inspire our learners in this way.”
David Geldart from the partnership added: “We are honoured to have worked closely with Ntolwane Primary School in the remote, rural Nkandla region of KwaZulu-Natal for the past I5 years. The school has demonstrated an excellent commitment to the partnership and truly recognises the power of sport to transform lives. Massive congratulations are due to Ayanda, Mhlonishwa and Gugulethu; we will watch their continued development with great interest. Special thanks to Father Vlad at the John Paul II Foundation for Sport and of course to all the educators at Ntolwane for providing such great opportunities for their learners to grow.”