KWAZULU-Natal Cycling and the University of Leeds, on August 13, jointly received an international award on behalf of the UK-based Bambisanani Partnership for their cycling programme in the rural KwaZulu-Natal.
KZN Cycling and Leeds University, working together under the Bambisanani Partnership umbrella, accepted the International Sport and Physical Education Charity of the Year award in Newlands East, Durban, for their work on teaching young people how to ride and maintain bikes in rural KZN.
It was the third time the Bambisanani Partnership, a UK-South Africa charity that uses sport and education to transform lives and strengthen communities, has won the award. The recognition this year is for the joint programme undertaken by KZN Cycling and Leeds University in Nkandla.
The Bambisanani Partnership is a multi-award-winning UK-based charity that began as collaboration, between St. Mary’s Catholic School in Yorkshire, England, and Mnyakanya High School.
Run entirely by volunteers, the partnership has grown to include more than 60 schools, colleges and universities across the United Kingdom and South Africa, using sport as a catalyst to promote education, health, leadership and global citizenship.
In South Africa, the partnership operates in the Nkandla region, where Bambisanani has partnered with KZN Cycling’s internationally-recognised development programme to expand cycling opportunities in one of the country’s most remote and disadvantaged communities.
KZN Cycling’s province-wide initiative has been strongly supported by the KZN Department of Sports, Arts and Culture for many years. The relationship with the Bambisanani Partnership in Nkandla has changed lives through education, practical skills training, and providing children in particular with improved mobility.
Alec Lenferna, the chief executive officer of KZN Cycling, and Suzzi Garnett from the University of Leeds accepted the award on behalf of the Bambisanani Partnership.
“The aim of the KZN Cycling development programme is to try and change people’s lives for the better,” said Lenferna while Garnett said the project benefits both the communities and the students who work on the project.
Manqoba Bhengu, the acting Chief Director for Sport Promotion and Development within the KZN Department of Sport, Arts and Culture expressed his appreciation for the work done by all partners in the project.
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