Ten students from Mnyakanya High School in rural KwaZulu-Natal are the first young South Africans to receive the International Diana Award for their running of an HIV/Aids education programme.

Ten students from Mnyakanya High School in KwaZulu-Natal are the first South Africans to be presented with the International Diana Award, an award set up in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales.

Mnyakanya High School in South Africa is in partnership with St. Mary’s Catholic High School in Menston, West Yorkshire, UK. For the past six years the two schools have worked together as The Bambisanani Partnership using sport as a catalyst to promote education, health, leadership and global citizenship. Bambisanani is the Zulu word for ‘working hand in hand’ and encapsulates the collaboration between the two schools.

The Diana Award was established in the UK in 1999 in memory of the late Princess of Wales, as a legacy to her belief in the power of young people to change the world. In 2011  The International Diana Award was launched, in keeping with the remarkable charitable work that Diana herself pioneered all around the world.

Recipients are young people from across the globe who are committed to helping others and improving their communities.  International Award Holders include volunteers, fundraisers, campaigners and those who have overcome adversity. British Prime Minister David Cameron is a Patron of the Diana Award.

Over the last year the Young Leaders at Mnyakanya school have developed a HIV/AIDS education programme that they have delivered in their community.  They have raised awareness of HIV/Aids in schools and Health Clinics. They support people suffering from HIV and encourage young pregnant teens to continue their education.

PK Zondi, who has coordinated the volunteering at Mnyakanya High School, nominated the Young Leaders for the International Diana Award. She said, “We are delighted that the Young Leaders are the first South Africans to receive the International Diana Award. The Bambisanani Partnership has inspired both our schools in so many ways. My learners who have developed the HIV/AIDS Awareness Programme are helping to educate the community.  They encourage those with HIV/AIDS to be positive and to look after themselves.  They show love to others and are wonderful role models; they do not discriminate and are not judgemental, they have developed a real empathy for others. The impact of their work is amazing; they are changing the lives of others.”

Fourteen students from St. Mary’s Catholic School in West Yorkshire have also received the prestigious Diana Award for their work in South Africa. The students visited the country in July 2012 and worked at Mnyakanya School, Ntolwane Primary and the Zulufadder Orphanage. Young Leaders from Mnyakanya and St. Mary’s jointly organised sports and reading Festivals for local primary schools.

David Geldart, assistant headteacher from St. Mary’s and founder of the Bambisanani Partnership said, “The area of South Africa that we work in has one of the highest rates of HIV/AIDS in the world, unemployment is extremely high and adult illiteracy is greater than 60%.  Education is key in breaking this cycle of poverty. I am so proud of the young volunteers from Mnyakanya and St. Mary’s. These young people are doing things for others that really matter. Their positive actions and commitment are making a difference in the world.  They are wonderful role models who I know have already inspired others. They are all honoured to receive the Diana Award.”

Tessy Ojo, Executive Director at the Diana Award said, “The Bambisanani Partnership is a wonderful collaboration that joins young people from different countries together to achieve a common goal; improving the lives of others. We are delighted that the dedication of young people in Yorkshire and South Africa can be celebrated with a Diana Award. With a growing network of 38,000 award holders, we are building a force of young people who are committed to take social action and improve our communities all over the world.”

The International Diana Award has been presented to young people in India, Pakistan, Jamaica, Paraguay, Chile, Angola, Tanzania and now South Africa.

By The SouthAfrican.com

19 December 2012

http://www.thesouthafrican.com/news/inspirational-teens-in-kzn-are-1st-south-africans-to-win-international-diana-award.htm