On the 10th of January 2024, SCOUTS South Africa, the Eswatini Scout Association (ESA), and the Liga dos Escuteiros de Moçambique (LEMO) signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding whereby the three respective National Scout Organisations agreed to mutually support each other to become the leading educational youth movement in their respective countries.
The partnership was facilitated by World Scout Bureau consultants Fazle Rabby and Ivy Akki with support from the World Scout Bureau’s Africa Support Centre. South Africa ‘s CEO Mr Wayne du Plessis, Eswatini’s Chief Commissioner Nathie Nxumalo and Mozambique’s Chief Scout Herminio Muiambo signed the agreement.
The partnership further includes collaborations on youth programme development and implementation. The Scout organisations have agreed to share programme resources and expertise and will endeavour to initiate exchange programmes for participation in Scouting activities to facilitate education and cultural interaction.
Upon signing the MOU, Eswatini Scout Association’s Chief Commissioner Nathie Nxumalo thanked the consultants for their hard work. He expressed his excitement and gratitude towards SCOUTS South Africa and the Liga dos Escuteiros de Moçambique for working together to enable a partnership as this one. It is a dream come true.
SCOUTS South Africa’s International Committee Chair Sarah Chester-Browne added: “Bringing three organisations together around the table and concluding a partnership of learning and growth is no small feat. We are grateful to Fazle and Ivy for their help. To our new partners, we are very excited to start this journey with you and look forward to what the future holds. Thank you for entering into this partnership with us.”
The MOU signing ceremony was concluded with a few words of encouragement from Calisto Ochieng, the Resource Mobilisation Officer for the World Scout Bureau’s Africa Support Centre. “We are happy to see three National Scout Organisations enter into a formal partnership to work together. Let this be the beginning of the implementation of the exchange, development, and growth you agreed upon through the MOU. In the next two years that lie ahead, take actions to achieve what you set out to do. The Africa Region is here to support you in the process.”
The Eswatini Scout Association (ESA) is the only National Scout Organisation in the Kingdom of Eswatini. And is a recognized member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. The Eswatini Scout Movement was established in 1928 and currently has a membership of over 4,000. Find more information at www.eswatiniscout.org
The Liga dos Escuteiros de Moçambique (LEMO) is a non-formal and non-profit educational youth organisation, founded on November 6, 1994. It is a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) since 1999. Its main purpose is to contribute to the training of responsible young people, capable of responding actively to major national issues. Find more information at http://mozscouts.org/
SCOUTS South Africa (SSA) is one of the largest and oldest volunteer-driven educational organisations in the country preparing children and youth (5 – 30-year-olds) to be catalysts for social change by enabling them to be independent people who are self-fulfilled and confident individuals who play a constructive role in society. The age-appropriate experiential learning programmes focus on leadership training, life skills and personal development. The adult training programmes educate and equip volunteers and young adults with practical leadership, communication and vocational skills that are relevant and applicable in their daily lives and circumstances. SSA further encourages members to undertake and participate in projects that contribute towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and the National Development Plan, such as addressing poverty, inadequate education, the lack of employment opportunities, the mitigation of climate change, and the HIV/AIDS and Covid pandemics. Planning and implementing projects enable members to address specific needs in their direct communities and equips them with the skills to make a real difference. Find more information at https://www.scouts.org.za/
More information: SCOUTS South Africa National PR Manager Natasha Kayle, natasha.kayle@scouts.org.za