Message from Chief Scout, Khonzaphi Mdaka
Chief Scout, Khonzaphi / Howling Hound Photography
Welcome back to active Scouting through our SCOUTS South Africa Alumni programme. The programme provides a new way for former Scouts, like you, to reconnect, to rekindle Scouting friendships, and to create new Scouting memories while making a difference in the lives of young Scouts today.
For many of us, Scouting was – and still is – more than just a weekend activity. It was a place where we internalised strong values, found our self-confidence, honed our skills, and learned how to use our voices for good. Scouting enabled lasting friendships and allowed us to discover the values of growing oneself and that of community service. Those values didn’t disappear when we hang up our scarves—they live on in who we are today.
We understand that life gets busy, and that you are unable to return to Scouting as an adult leader. That is why we have launched our new SCOUTS South Africa Alumni initiative that provides a flexible, and meaningful way to stay connected, inspired, and involved – even if it’s been years since your last hike or campfire. The dream for self-fulfillment does not die because we don’t have the time to give of ourselves and mingle with those we once shared fond memories with. It lives on in seeing others achieve what they may not have been able to achieve without your help.
We’ve structured our new Alumni experience around five key pillars, each designed to reflect the spirit and flexibility of modern Scouting in South Africa. They range from increased communication with you, to invitations to Scouting events where you can relive some of your Scouting memories and create new ones. Our Scout Groups are often in need of short-term helping hands for admin or practical maintenance projects, so we launched a new micro-volunteering initiative to put you in touch with a Group for a specific project. As Alumni you also have the opportunity to help us fundraise at no cost to you by adding SCOUTS SA as a MySchool beneficiary, and as an extra – Alumni only -perk, registered SCOUTS South Africa Alumni will have the opportunity to wear our unique shweshwe alumni scarf!
Our Alumni programme is not another network of people, it is a true community of adventurers, leaders, and changemakers who know what it means to “be prepared”(ready for life) and to “create a better world”.
You can find out more HERE, or sign up and join our Alumni community HERE.
As Chief Scout, I am proud to walk this new path with you. Together, let’s honour the past and shape the future of Scouting in South Africa. Together let us change the wording that says Africa is a dark continent and make it a brighter continent with young responsible citizens of the world.