Written by Caroline Boshoff, SSA Youth Influencer

Angelique (on the left) with her Patrol

In South Africa, education doesn’t only happen in the classroom. While schools play a vital role in shaping young people academically, organisations like Scouting offer essential support that helps learners grow, cope, and succeed. By reinforcing values such as discipline, responsibility, and perseverance, Scouting complements formal education and equips young people with life skills that carry them through their school years and beyond. Angelique van Vliet from St Columba’s Scout Group in the Eastern Cape South Region shares how Scouting supported her through matric and helped her reach an important milestone.

“I recently passed matric, and balancing school and Scouting was not always easy, as both required a lot of time and commitment. What made a real difference for me was the support of my Scout Leaders, who were incredibly understanding and encouraging throughout the journey. Their guidance and flexibility helped take some of the pressure off and allowed me to keep going when things felt overwhelming”, explains Angelique.

“Scouting taught me discipline, responsibility, and perseverance, and through camps, leadership opportunities, and teamwork, I gained skills that added to my education beyond the classroom. As I move into the next chapter of my life, I’m grateful for the role Scouting and the people in it played in helping me reach this milestone. I would encourage high school learners to consider Scouting, as it supports both personal growth and academic commitment.”