Harry Potter star new patron of UK-SA partnership
Lewis said he was honoured to become patron of the Bambisanani Partnership
UK actor Matthew Lewis, who starred as Neville Longbottom in the Harry Potter film series, was recently announced as the Patron of the multi-award winning Bambisanani Partnership charity.
Bambisanani, which is linked with a high school in Nkandla, has gained international acclaim for its pioneering work in rural South Africa, using sport as a catalyst to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership.
The charity was established 14 years ago at the actor’s former school, St. Mary’s School, Menston, and now involves the University of Leeds and Leeds Trinity University in delivering a range of projects and programmes in collaboration with South African partners.
Founder and chairperson of the partnership, David Geldart, said Lewis became involved in Bambisanani Partnership activities while at school and, despite his busy acting schedule, has remained in contact ever since, supporting the organisation in a variety of ways.
‘Regardless of his fame and celebrity, Lewis remains a very modest, unassuming and well-grounded young man who wants to make a difference in the world. He really understands what the charity is about and the challenges that we face in South Africa; it is absolutely fantastic to have him involved in this formal capacity as our patron,’ Geldart said.
Lewis said he was honoured to become patron of the Bambisanani Partnership.
‘Having attended St Mary’s School, I saw first-hand the excellent work the partnership was doing in improving lives, not only in KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, but also here in the United Kingdom.
‘It truly is a partnership where everybody involved gains and has their lives enriched. I have watched David Geldart and his team pour so much passion into this project, and seen it go from strength to strength.
‘I now feel very lucky that, more than a decade out of school, I am able to give something back and become involved myself. Not to mention that South Africa has been ‘home’ for me a couple of times throughout my career, and I have some of the fondest memories of my life there – I look forward very much to working with the partnership for years to come,’ he said.
Since the Harry Potter series, Lewis has gone on to appear in films including The rise and Me before you, and is currently playing the lead opposite Rose Matafeo in newly-released rom-com Baby Done, produced by Taika Waititi’s production company.
Lewis’ television credits include numerous award-winning shows aired on a variety of channels in the UK.
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