After years of dedicated service, Nosisa Ntuli has officially retired from her role as Commissioner for the Schools Channel in KZN. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Nosisa for her dedication to empowering children in the Region through Scouting. We are pleased to welcome Prof Christopher “Chris” Thenjwayo as the newly appointed Commissioner for the KZN Schools Channel. Chris started his journey in the Scout Movement as a Cub and is excited to see more Scouting-in-Schools Groups open up within the Region.

“I joined the Scout Movement many years ago as a Cub within the Ikhwezi Primary School at Sobantu Township, I then continued as a Scout at Sobantu High School but took a break from Scouting as I entered University to focus on my studies and career. Eleven years ago, my career saw me back in Primary Schools as an educator and one of the first things I did was found the 1st Hlelingomuso Scout Group. The Group is still running and active, even though I now work at Lugisile Primary School, where I also started a Troop”, explains Chris.

“Over the years I have served as Troop Scouter, and Umngungundlovu Commissioner. I’ve completed my Troop Scouter Warrant Course, my Camping License, and most recently the Adult Leader Training course. One of the highlights is achieving my Troop Scouter Woodbadge!

I am excited to step into the role of Commissioner for the School Channel and promote Scouting amidst principals and government officials. My goal is to have Scout Groups in every school in the Region, but for that to be possible, we would also require more partnerships with stakeholders from within the Region to support this growth financially. I am passionate about this goal as I believe that Scouting is instrumental for the development of young children in our Region. Many children come from broken homes, are lost and have no hope in the future. They find themselves without the will or the value system to go on in life. Scouting helps children find their purpose and the Scout Promise and Law gives them a structure to live by. Recently, at a meeting with school principals, one of them shared the impact Scouting has had on her learners. Before she had Scouts at her school, the youth were unruly, and the school was full of litter. Now, that they have Scouting as part of their offering at school, the learners are disciplined, the school grounds are clean, and they even have a vegetable garden maintained by the Scouts. There was a clear shift in the learners after Scouting was introduced. My goal is to see that happen in as many schools as possible”, he adds.

I also look forward to working with Gregory Southey, my new counterpart as Commissioner for the Community Channel in fostering unity between the two channels so we can grow Scouting in KZN. It will take a lot of work but will be worth it as Scouting changes the lives of young people, it gives them purpose and a future. “

When not in Scouting, Chris works as a Departmental Head at the Lungisile Primary School, is an ordained senior minister in the Full Gospel Church of God in Southern Africa since 1999 in the Imbali Full Gospel Church and Sobantu Assemblies. He also serves on numerous Boards and on occasion lectures at local and international institutions.