NEWS
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 Partnership International Athletics Challenge 2022 continues to raise the bar
The 2nd Annual Bambisanani Partnership International Athletics Challenge, supported by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport and Recreation, brought together 12 primary schools: 6 from rural KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa and 6 from the Leeds/Bradford area of Yorkshire in the UK.
The 2nd Annual Bambisanani Partnership International Athletics Challenge, supported by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport and Recreation, brought together 12 primary schools: 6 from rural KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa and 6 from the Leeds/Bradford area of Yorkshire in the UK.
394 students (aged 9 and 10) participated in a range of six Athletics Challenges in their own schools and then compared performances ‘virtually’ to create competition between the schools. The involvement of 12 schools this year is a significant increase from the 4 involved in the 2021 pilot programme.
The South African schools involved were:
Vumanhlamvu - Nkandla
Makhanyezi - Nkandla
John Wesley - Eshowe
Manyala - Nkandla
Iwangu - Nkandla
Ntolwane - Nkandla
The UK schools involved included:
Sacred Heart - Ilkley
St Joseph’s - Tadcaster
St. Mary’s - Horsforth
Holy Name - Cookridge
Hovingham - Harehills
St. Joseph’s - Pudsey
The Challenge was devised last year in response to various Covid restrictions by the Bambisanani Founder, David Geldart who explained, “The Bambisanani Partnership is about bringing young people together in sport from both countries in order that they can ‘work together and learn together’. Covid made us think more creatively in order to both sustain and develop our work; the virtual Athletic Challenge programme was a great success last year which resulted in more schools being involved this year. We have tried to create a simple and fun programme that reflects the very essence of athletics with an approach that brings relevance for everyone involved regardless of ability. We have provided opportunities for youngsters to compete against themselves and against others, in their own school and between schools, in their own country and internationally. A wide range awards reflect our values with certificates and medals available to learners in all participating schools for excellence, effort, progress and leadership. The Challenge provides multiple opportunities for learners to achieve and succeed; the response from schools, educators and learners has been fantastic and has further raised the bar this year!”
The programme gave great importance to all participants working hard to improve their own personal performance over time in six different events for both boys and girls: 50m run, 200m run, Standing Long Jump, Three Hop Jump, Tennis Ball Throw and Football Throw. Initially students were taught the basic activity and then established their own ‘personal best’ in each of the events. Over the following weeks and months, the children were given the opportunity to practise, rehearse and experiment in order to improve their performances. A remarkable 72% of all learners involved made significant progress over time in at least three different events and were awarded special certificates to recognise this. All schools had their own competitions which created 130 new School Champions with the top three performers in each event receiving a certificate. In addition to this, 25 students were identified as being the best all-round performers across all events, 29 students were recognised as making the most improvement over all events and 25 students were celebrated as Exceptional Leaders for their work during the programme ‘helping, supporting and encouraging others’. Three very exciting 10-person x 40metre relay events (Boys, Girls, Mixed) were also added for the International Competition, making it 15 International titles to be decided. Each school submitted their best three performance in each of the 15 events for the international competition between schools. Inclusive of the relay events, 126 International Competition medals (‘Bronze’, ‘Silver’ and ‘Gold’) were presented to the top three performers/teams in each event.
Mr Agrippa Nxumalo, Headteacher at Makhanyezi Primary School highlighted the significance of the programme in terms of developing the ‘healthy bodies and healthy minds’ of his learners citing improved fitness levels, academic performance (including June Assessment results) and enhanced communication skills.
Mr William Vilakazi, Principal at Vumanhlamvu said, “This is our second year participating in this great competition. It inspires so many learners in so many ways, not just in sports but also in the classroom. With so many opportunities to achieve it helps many learners with their belief and self-esteem. We are also finding learners with real talent in athletics; who knows where this may lead?”
Bambisanani Trustee and teacher at St. Mary’s, Horsforth, Barbara Pounder added, “Connecting children 6,000 miles from each other through running, jumping and throwing is testament to the power of sport philosophy adopted by the Bambisanani Partnership. Providing children with opportunities to connect globally, have fun, learn new skills and experience new feelings of success is one of the greatest contributions that we can make as educators to enhance the human condition.”
David Geldart concluded, “My sincere thanks to all the schools, educators and children involved in this growing event; we have had much to celebrate. Great credit must go to William Vilakazi and Alan Stuart for coordinating everything in South Africa and to Catherine Chattoe and David Farmer for organising things in Yorkshire. Special thanks also the KZN Department of Sport and Recreation for their help and support; we look forward to further partnership work with them in the future. We are already thinking about developing the Challenge further for 2023 and indeed for the Olympic year of 2024, possibly involving even more schools and more countries!”
Results and Award Winners
Bambisanani International Athletics Champions 2022
Girls Events
| 50 metres | 1. Ayanda Ngcobo (Vumanhlamvu) |
| 2. Sinokwethemba Cebekhula (Makhanyezi) | |
| 3. Uyaphila Zulu (Vumanhlamvu) | |
| 200 metres | 1. Amiswa Hadebe (Vumanhlamvu) |
| 2. Enhle Hlongwane (Vumanhlamvu) | |
| 3. Sinothando Maduna (Vumanhlamvu) | |
| Standing Long Jump | 1. Amanda Khuzwayo (John Wesley) |
| 2. Amelia Wood (St. Mary’s) | |
| 3. Amelia Cooper (Holy Name) | |
| Three Hop Jump | 1. Eve Best (St. Mary’s) |
| 2. Julia Ciula (Holy Name) | |
| 3. Alana Lawton (Holy Name) & Allegra Sandova (St. Mary’s) | |
| Tennis Ball Throw | 1. Mnyanda Yandiswa (Vumanhlamvu) |
| 2. Smimanyo Lethiwe (Vumanhlavu)) | |
| 3. Emily Hall (Sacred Heart) | |
| Football Throw | 1. Emily Florence (Sacred Heart) |
| 2. Olivia Middleton (St. Mary’s) | |
| 3. Martha Jones (Sacred Heart) | |
| 400m (10x40m) Relay | 1. St Joseph’s, Tadcaster |
| 2. John Wesley, Eshowe | |
| 3. St. Mary’s, Horsforth |
Boys Events
| 50 metres | 1. Bandile Biyela (Vumanhlamvu) |
| 2. Mhlongo Ayakhula (Makhanyezi)) | |
| 3. Mhlongo Ayakhula (Vumanhlamvu) | |
| 200 metres | 1. Sikhanyiselwe Qwabe (Vumanhlamvu) |
| 2. Mhlongo Ayakhulu (Makhanyezi) | |
| 3. Amukela Maduna (Vumanhlamvu) | |
| Standing Long Jump | 1. Aphelel Sigwaza (John Wesley) |
| 2. Melikhayo Mthiyane (John Wesley) | |
| 3. Jack Jones (St. Joseph’s, Tadcaster) | |
| Three Hop Jump | 1. Jack Kilvington (Holy Name) |
| 2. Malachy Appleyard (Holy Name) & William Ward (St. Mary’s) | |
| Tennis Ball Throw | 1. Sipho Ngcobo (John Wesley) |
| 2. Siqalo Thembe (John Wesley) | |
| 3. Charlie Moss (St. Josephs, Pudsey) | |
| Football Throw | 1. James Armitage (Sacred Heart) |
| 2. Jacob Walker (Holy Name) | |
| 3. Malachy Appleyard (Holy Name) | |
| 400m (10x40m) Relay | 1. St. Josephs, Tadcaster |
| 2. John Wesley, Eshowe | |
| 3. St. Mary’s, Horsforth |
Mixed Event
| 400m (10x40m) Boys and Girls Mixed Relay | 1. St Josephs, Tadcaster |
| 2. John Wesley, Eshowe | |
| 3. St. Mary’s, Horsforth |
School Champions
Wanele Myende, Blessing Jeremani, Lwazi Mbuli, Kuhlekonke, Amanda Khuzwayo, Melikhaya Mthiyane, Aphelele Sigwaza, Asiphe Mthethwa, Sipho Ngcobo, Nolwwazi Mbuli, Siqalo Tembe, Ayanda Ngcobo, Bandile Biyela, Amiswa Hadebe, Sikhanyislwe Qwabe, Nonjabulo Sikhakhane, Aphiwe Khanyile, Mawande Biyela, Siphiwokuhle Bhengu, Yandiswa Mnyandu, Ayabonga Shandu, Aphelele Majozi, Talia Knox-Walker, Willow Noble, Fletcher Mathews, Jack Jones, Kellend Lawford, Leah Fleming, Frances Reidenbaugh, Emily Hall, Emily Florence, Joe Mutton, Ollie Davidson, Florence Hands, Evie Bent, Amelia Dodd, Olivia Middleton, William Ward, Amos Foster, James Conley, Kyla Jacobs-Legister, Faizan Qaisar, Maria Avadani, David Gandal, Orlagh Dean, Zander Norton, Sophia Duffield, Oliver Gill, Amelia Cooper, Ruben Norton, Julia Ciula, Jack Kilvinton, Chase Wilson, Jacob Walker, Emily Turbull, Tom Hurley, Steph Holden, Tom Hurley, Alys Keighley, Shay Godfrey, Charlie Moss, Eliza Horsman, Shay Godfrey, Lwande Mpungose, Nkanyezi Gina, Hlelonkosi Gina, Aphelele Majolica, Smelo Ndlazi, Malwande Mnomiya, Sphephile Khumalo, Ayabonga Ntuli, Ayabonga Mkhize, Nontelthelelo Mthabela, Nsika Majola, Aphele Biyela, Nqubeko Mathenjwa, Abahlenge Biyela, Mthobisi Biyela, Nolwazi Biyela, Ayabonga Biyela, Sbiya Lethokuhle, Dludla Okuhle, Ntombela Siyamthanda, Snqobile Biyela, Mkhize Bonga, Aphelele Biyela, Msawande Biyela
Most improved Athletes
Minenhle Kunene, Sihawukelo Sibiya , Sihanukele Ntomela, Alwande Zulu, Asiphe Mthethwa, Blessing Jeremani, Florence Hands, Amos Foster, Sophie Utley, Jacob Hinchliffe, Emily Florence, Hughie Quinn, Francesca Parlour, Riley Clinnon, Elena Decaro, Finley Appleyard, Connie Scofield, Coby Walton Adams, Thobeka Biyela, Landile Gasa, Isiphile Shandu, Sqalo Ntombela, Nkanyezi Gina, Skhakhane Mnqobi, Sibya Lethokuhle , Nhlalenhle Nzuza, Sanele Mthembu, Dludla Okuhle, Nolwazi Biyela
Best all-round Athletes:
Uyaphila Zulu, Sikanyiselwe Qwabe, Wanele Myende, Siqaio Tembe, Cebekhulu Sinokwethemba, Ayakhula Mhlongo, Evie Bent, James Conley, William Ward, Talia Knox-Walker, Jack Jones, Frances Reidenbaugh, Joe Mutton, Amelia Cooper, Zander Norton, Eliza Horsman, Tom Hurley, Alys Keighley, Charlie Hart, Thobeka Biyela, Mathobisi Biyela, Sqalo Ntombela, Abahlenge Biyela, Aphelele Biyela, Nqubeko Mathenjwa
Outstanding Leaders
Amiswa Hadebe, Sikhanyiselwe Qwabe, Nolwazi Mbuli, Kwandile Gazu, Thembeka Dlamini, Manqoba Majuzi, Ava Quinn, Liam McDermott, Esmee Vince-Morgan, Nathan Munday, Eva Joyce, James Armitage, Ellie Jade, Jack Kilvington, Hannah Whiting, Luke Jackson, Iona Rogers, Charlie Hart, Sindiswa Biyela, Lwandile Gasa, Lungelo Ntombela, Khuzwayo Melokuhle, Siyamthanda Ntombelo, Bonga Mkhize, Ayabonga Biyela,
Bambisanani Partnership International Athletics Challenge 2021 is a great success
Over the last year, despite all the Covid chaos and disruption, 138 nine and ten year olds from South Africa and the UK have joined together in a unique athletics challenge. Albeit virtually, the Bambisanani Partnership International Athletics Challenge has brought together four schools from the two countries to learn together in a range of fun athletic activities.
Over the last year, despite all the Covid chaos and disruption, 138 nine and ten year olds from South Africa and the UK have joined together in a unique athletics challenge. Albeit virtually, the Bambisanani Partnership International Athletics Challenge has brought together four schools from the two countries to learn together in a range of fun athletic activities.
South African students from Vumanhlamvu Primary School in Nkandla and John Wesley Primary School in Eshowe have connected with St. Mary’s Primary School, Horsforth and St. Joseph’s Primary, Pudsey in a range of running, jumping and throwing challenges that allowed students to learn about athletics with opportunities to compete ‘against themselves’, improving personal performance over time, as well as also competing against children in their school and significantly with children in all the other schools involved in both countries by comparing performances.
The programme gave great importance to all participants working hard to improve their own personal performance over time in six different events for both boys and girls: 50m run, 200m run, Standing Long Jump, Three Hop Jump, Tennis Ball Throw and Football Throw. Initially students were taught the basic activity and then established their own ‘personal best’ in each of the activities. Over the following weeks and months, the children were given the opportunity to practise, rehearse and experiment in order to improve their performances. A remarkable 76 students made significant progress over time in at least three different events and were awarded special certificates to recognise this. All four schools had their own competitions in the events which created 12 Champions in each school. The top three performers in each event received a certificate. Three very exciting 10-person x 40m relay events (Boys, Girls, Mixed) were also added for the International Competition. Each school submitted their best three performance in each of the 15 events for the international competition between schools. 126 International Competition medals (‘Bronze’, ‘Silver’ and ‘Gold’) were presented to the top three performers/teams in each event.
Full international Results (PDF)
In addition to this, Bambisanani Partnership International Athletics Challenge certificates were also presented in each school in the following categories:
Most improved students:
St. Joseph’s, Pudsey: Tia Nero, Ella Perryman, Harry Hart, Maximilian Korosteliov
St. Mary’s, Horsforth: Siofra Whitehurst, Enzo Moore
Vumanhlamvu Primary School: Xoliswa Mpungose, Mlungisi Mhlongo
John Wesley Primary School: Ndalo Mchunu, Zowakha Zondi
Best Individual Performances:
St. Joseph’s, Pudsey: Lily Higgins, Hannah Jagiello, Oliver Brown
St. Mary’s, Horsforth: Aisling Harrison, Enzo Given
Vumanhlamvu Primary School: Sinovuyo Ntombela, Simphiwe Mthimkhulu
John Wesley Primary School: Lwandile Shange, Sambulu Mbuyazi
Leadership Awards (for helping and encouraging other students during the course of the Challenge):
St. Joseph’s, Pudsey: Tia Nero, Ella Perryman, Harry Hart, Maximilian Korosteliov
St. Mary’s, Horsforth: Lily Decker, Oliver O’Reilly
Vumanhlamvu Primary School: Alwande Tetwayo, Zemvelo Bukhosini
John Wesley Primary School: Mpilenhle Xulu, Siqalo Tembe
Special Trophies
Special trophies were also awarded to the outstanding boy and girl performers across all international events. The top girl athlete who won 5 gold medals was Lwandile Shange, from John Wesley Primary School. The top boy athlete winning 4 gold medals and 1 silver was Sambulo Mbuyazi, also from John Wesley.
““This is the first time that my learners have participated in athletics which has been made possible by the equipment and programme provided by the Bambisanani Partnership. The learners have loved these fun challenges, setting their own targets as well as competing against others. They were very excited about linking with schools in Leeds and have liked the videos from St. Joseph’s and St. Mary’s. We have seen great progress in some personal performances which is improving the confidence of learners. We do not have a sports field and my learners do not have running shoes but we did our best. For us to win 35 International medals including 2 Gold and 2 Silver is just amazing and shows what can be done with the right opportunities. We are already looking forward to the Challenge in 2022. Who knows we may even discover a world champion one day!””
Students from all four schools clearly loved the Challenge:
““I liked the Bambisanani Challenge because one day I would like to see myself going overseas because of sport. I enjoy sport so much; I am a sport person. Sport is my life. The Bambisanani Challenge challenged me not to relax, but to do my best in everything. It also improved or put my sport career on another level. I am proud to participate in the Bambisanani Challenge.” ”
““The Bambisanani Challenge was fun. We learnt a lot of things in sports. We first did 50 metre running, second, we did 200 metre running. I enjoyed all the activities, mostly I enjoyed running. I would like to thank all the people that were involved with organising this challenge for us. Thank you so much.””
““I love sport; it is my favourite thing in the whole world and a challenge with South African students made it really interesting.””
““It was really interesting because we were against an entirely different continent! It was extremely fun to do all the competitions against them and I hope we do it again.””
Parents and grandparents have also praised the initiative:
““My granddaughter came home today, thrilled to bits about what she had achieved in the Bambisanani International Athletics Challenge: 6 individual awards and best overall girl athlete award. Lily is aware of the connection that her mum and auntie have had with the Bambisanani Partnership and the thought that she has taken part in a project connected with them made it all the more special. Lily loves her athletics and cannot wait to come to St. Mary’s, Menston and have the opportunity to play a bigger part in the Bambisanani Partnership. Lily attends athletic training at Skyrac AC, where I coach and are currently Chair and when her auntie went to South Africa the club supplied t-shirts for the budding athletes. This is something we have done since and we will continue to support the partnership in any way we can. Encouraging youngsters to participate in athletics and have fun is fundamental to the sport, whether it be here in Yorkshire or in South Africa.””
The idea for International Athletics Challenge came from Bambisanani founder and Charity Chair, David Geldart who was keen to praise all involved: “Massive credit must go to all the schools, staff and children involved in this inaugural event. It has been a tremendous success on so many levels and special thanks are due to the team that pulled it all together in the most difficult and challenging of times: Catherine Chattoe, William Vilakazi, David Farmer, Alan Stuart and Duncan Baines. Important connections between schools have been made and relationships are developing. The feedback from students, teachers, parents and grandparents has been excellent and we are already looking to 2022 to make this an annual event hopefully involving more schools and possibly even some additional countries. We again intend to raise the funding required for schools that are poorly resourced and do not have the equipment for the challenge.”
Virtual athletics challenge connects schools in Leeds and South Africa [INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS LEEDS]
Bambisanani International Athletics Challenge Pilot Programme Begins
The Bambisanani International Athletics Challenge pilot programme is now well underway linking primary schools in the UK and South Africa.
Over 150 children aged 9/10 from Vumanhlamvu School in Nkandla, John Wesley School in Eshowe, St. Mary’s, Horsforth and St. Josephs, Pudsey are currently participating in a range of running, jumping and throwing challenges that will allow them to compete ‘against themselves’, improving personal performance over time, as well as also competing against children in their school and children in all the other schools involved in both countries.
Mr William Vilakazi, Principal of Vumanhlamvu Primary School said: “This is the first time that my learners have participated in athletics which has been made possible by the equipment and programme provided by the Bambisanani Partnership. They are loving these fun challenges and are enjoying setting their own targets as well as competing against others. They are very excited about linking with schools in Leeds and have liked the videos from St. Joseph’s and St. Mary’s. We have already seen great progress in some personal performances which is improving the confidence of learners; who knows we may even discover a champion!”
Many thanks indeed to William, Alan Stuart, Barbara Pounder, David Farmer and Cath Chattoe for driving this exciting development forward. I look forward to being able to bring you the full results and news of a variety of related awards when we complete the programme in June. We have already had enquiries from other schools who are interested in participating in next year’s challenge, not only from South Africa and the UK but also from other countries as well!
Bambisanani Partnership Assemblies to Primary Schools
Primary schools in our Bishop Wheeler Catholic Academy Trust are going to raise money for a sock appeal.
Primary schools in our Bishop Wheeler Catholic Academy Trust are going to raise money for a sock appeal.
They will raise money and then our charity we will buy school uniform socks to give to the students of Mnyakanya High School in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.