Today we are cekebrating happiness as something that connects us all. The World Happiness Report 2026 reminds us that while social media can bring us closer, it can also impact our mental health, making it more important than ever to find balance, practise kindness, and nurture real-world connections.

In Scouting we see every day how happiness grows beyond the screen. By creating safe spaces where children, youth and adult volunteers can explore the outdoors and are free to be themselves, building confidence, friendships, and a true sense of belonging, we contribute to personal ‘happiness’.

From the joyful moments captured at Africa Scout Day celebrations across the country, from Meerkats in the Eastern Cape South Region, to Scouts, Rovers and volunteers coming together in Arrowe Park, we’re reminded that happiness lives in shared experiences, laughter, and connection. Happiness isn’t just something we feel, it’s something we create, together.

Photos ASD by Dawn Ledbitter and Joshua Adams
Photo Meerkats supplied by Caroline Boshoff