Gavin Withers Photography
As South Africa commemorated youth standing up for inclusive education, in Scouting we also remembered the journey Scouting in South Africa has taken to address the needs of our youths by using exciting programmes to teach morals, values and life skills. SCOUTS South Africa is one of the biggest youth organisations in the country with 308 000 girls, boys, young men and women all being prepared for life.
“If we really believe that the future of any county is in its youth, we have a big responsibility to see to it that we inspire them to be the leaders we believe they can be, and that can be done through very sound youth development programmes, moral values, such as the ones that the Scouting Movement offers,” says Chief Scout Sibusiso Vilane – first black African man to summit the peaks of the world and the North and South Pole.
“From my adventure travels and activities, I have learnt that any type of physical adventure or activity undertaken has the amazing ability to instil a number of attributes, and very important character traits to an individual. Adventure teaches you that for you to succeed in anything, you have got to work hard, be determined, work with people, never give up and keep on trying because you don’t succeed overnight. Success takes a long time, success is about taking risks, breaking out of limiting beliefs and your comfort zones. Adventure does all of this in a practical way and that is what I believe Scouting is about, it’s learning by doing!” He says with a smile.
“SCOUTS South Africa recognizes that education is a tool of empowerment for children in our country enabling them to achieve their maximum potential. Our programmes strive to fill the void created between the break-down of family units and overstretched educational structures. Central in this Scouting programme is a continuous transference of values such as honesty, loyalty, responsibility and respect. All activities are aimed at governing individual behavior and the development of strong leadership skills that will equip members to be of service to others and to their community”, explains SSA CEO Milly Siebrits.
Scouts in South Africa have a long history of getting involved in the upliftment of communities and environmental preservation. The programmes are either offered as extra mural activities in schools or by independent scout groups nationwide. “We pride ourselves in the efforts that are being made by the volunteer educators as well as the driven out of school volunteers in building the capacities of youths”, she concludes.
Scouts in the Western Cape welcomed Chief Scout Sibusiso Vilane to their celebratory youth day weekend where he inspired adult leaders at the Bellville Scouters Conference, encouraged the Scouts that sailed from Cape to Rio to embrace their adventures and enjoyed the fun day at the Scouting Hawequas Activity Center in Wellington.
SSA is a member of the World Organisation of Scout Movements, WOSM. The Scout Movement was founded in 1907 by Baden Powell. It has over 40 million members globally in over 200 countries and territories.
More information or to book an interview with Chief Scout Sibusiso Vilane: Natasha Kayle, PR Manager SCOUTS South Africa, 073 127 93 56 or pr@scouting.org.za
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Showme Cape Town – Photographs: Gavin Withers Photography