The growth of Rovering in the Northern Cape has taken off under the leadership of RTC Rover programme Mojalefa Maarman. Mojalefa will be reprising his Mechanical Engineering studies in the new year, but in the meantime, he is serving the Scout Movement in the Rover branch, and as Assistant Troop Scouter for the 1st Isago Scout Group, which he joined as a 6-year-old Cub. “It’s a funny story as I was never interested in joining Scouting. I was dragged to a meeting by one of my friends thinking that we were going to join a soccer club. When we got there, I was so shocked, but I stayed around to see what Scouting was all about. A week later, I joined Cubbing”, he explains with a grin.
“I have always loved camping since I was a kid because I enjoyed climbing trees. One of my best Scouting memories as a child was when I was appointed Patrol Leader of my Patrol at one of our camps! I learned a few key lessons in Scouting which are: teamwork, resilience, moral integrity and cultural awareness. I also learned to overcome some more difficult situations through Scouting. This one time we had a Troop camp whereby a Scout member suffered severe third degree burns and used my first aid skills to minimise the pain and ensure that no further damage occurred. That’s where in realised that the skills that we were taught were indeed useful.”
After he matriculated Mojalefa decided to stay in Scouting as a SCOUTS South Africa volunteer and Rover. “I felt that I had to pass on the knowledge that I have to our younger brothers and sisters in Scouting. Both being a Scouter and a Rover offers you that opportunity”, he continues. “The Rover programme helps young adults just out of school. I feel that Rovers often have access to mentorship from older members and leaders who can provide career advice and guidance. Networking opportunities within the Scouting community can also open doors to job prospects. Within the Rover programme my favourite Bar (Rover advancement) is the ‘Community Bar’ as it provides us with the opportunity to serve and give back to our community that has been plagued with many social ills.”
As the RTC Rovers for the Northern Cape, his three main goals for the new triennium are to see Rovering grow in the Northern Cape, to develop younger Scouts to also give back to the Movement, and also to shape our youth to be the leaders of tomorrow. “I believe that we will be able to achieve these goals thanks to the bunch of committed Rovers who are as dedicated as I am to shape our communities for the better.
Being an adult volunteer is great because you get to see your Scouts achieve their goals and become good role models to our youth out there. That is the most rewarding feeling to me. Also, being part of the Scouts community allows you to connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for making a difference. It fosters a sense of belonging and camaraderie. And you get to experience the outdoor life. As SCOUTS South Africa volunteer you also get adult leader training which provides numerous opportunities for personal development. For me personally, this has enhanced my leadership, communication, and organisational skills.”
As a young person who grew up in Scouting, how important are our values, Promise and Law for youth? “I believe that adhering to the values of Scouting helps build strong character. Young people learn to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. These traits are essential for personal integrity and social responsibility.
Furthermore, training and having older mentors helps you as a Rover and adult leader be the role models youth need. I feel that role models can help young people feel connected to their community or field of interest. They foster a sense of belonging and encourage young people to become active and engaged members of their communities. The influence of positive role models can have a lasting impact, shape young people’s future choices and paths. The lessons learned from role models often stay with you throughout your life.”
Before we left, we asked Mojalefa about the one thing he cannot live without at a camp. And he said … “I seriously cannot live without my phone at camp! As much as I love the outdoor life, I need to stay in touch with what’s happening in our society!”