A FEW months ago, terrible wildfires destroyed the ten homes of 21 Vumanhlamvu Primary School children in the Nkandla region of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. Ten families lost everything that they had and were left homeless. Situated in one of the most deprived areas of the country and already suffering massively because of the COVID-19 pandemic, help was needed urgently and the Menston based Bambisanani Partnership was quick to respond. A hastily arranged auction of sporting memorabilia raised the necessary funds to help out. Within days, working with William Vilakazi, Principal of Vumanhlamvu Primary School and Nick Phillips and Graham Chennells from Eshowe Rotary Club, emergency aid of food, clothing and blankets had been delivered to the community.
THE tragic death of former St Mary’s School, Menston, student Jordan Sinnott last January touched the heart of the nation and indeed beyond. Jordan, a footballer who played for Huddersfield Town among other clubs, had always been a great supporter of the Menston-based Bambisanani Partnership. This month two specially commissioned awards in his memory were presented by the charity for Sportsman and Sportswomen of the Year at Vumanhlamvu Primary School in rural KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. “This is all very positive and just the kind of thing that Jordan would love.” The Bambisanani Partnership is a multi-award winning charity that has gained international acclaim for its pioneering work in the most deprived rural area of South Africa using the power of sport to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership.