Scouts and leaders from across Southern Africa gathered in Manzini, Eswatini, for the 20th Southern Africa Scout Youth Forum and the 49th Zonal Conference, under the theme “Embracing diversity and unity by empowering every young voice.”
Photo: Facebook Southern Africa Scouts Zone
SCOUTS SA’s National Young Leaders Representative Jonathan Pienaar and Mpumalanga Young Leaders Representative Ndzalama Precious Nkosi joined 15 of their Scouting peers from seven countries at the Youth Forum. The youth present discussed strengthening youth leadership, making programmes more responsive to current challenges, and creating safer, more inclusive spaces within Scouting. The youth present committed to leading this change within their own organisations. The forum concluded with a community visit to Hope House in Manzini, a hospice and palliative care centre supporting people living with terminal illnesses.
“The 20th Southern Zone Youth Forum was a great opportunity to extend relationships and champion youth involvement and inclusion across Southern Africa. Between the resolution drafting and discussions, and community service project, it was a great way to strengthen ties with neighbouring NSOs and the future leaders across Southern Africa” explained Jonathan. Ndzalama agrees, “Getting to meet and have discussions with youth from different groups and NSO’s actually helps in sharing different ideas and sharing stories of how we run our different Groups. It also is a platform to seek for advice from peers. For me the highlight was discussing more about volunteering in and around communities and also getting to know more about Safe from Harm. ‘It all starts with you’ was a statement we all agreed on.”
Photo: Facebook Southern Africa Scouts Zone
Alongside the Youth Forum, over 50 delegates at the Zonal Conference engaged in discussions on how to improve governance, grow youth programmes and increase local membership within Member Organisations. Additional focus was given to enhancing inclusivity, reinforcing Safe from Harm practices, and increasing collaboration in regional disaster preparedness and response.
Reflecting on the experience, Chief Scout Khonzaphi Mdaka emphasised the value of learning from one another, building support systems, and strengthening partnerships across the Zone. ” It was great to meet other National Scout Organisation’s leadership and youth from the Southern Zone. The conference gives us the courage to continue serving with dedication. It gives us insight on how the other National Scout Organisations are doing. We learn from one another and most importantly we create support systems which are very valuable to us all. The conference gives us the opportunity to showcase the partnerships that exist in the Zone and encourages those that are working solo to review their stance. The upcoming 50 years of Zonal network is a symbol of strength and unity of the SADAC Scouting Family. And we are proud to be a part of the Zone.” Chief Commissioner Gary Pienaar echoed this sentiment:” I enjoyed reconnecting with old Scouting friends from across the Zone and sharing stories of Scouting’s impact in our respective countries. Events like this ensure that we are constantly learning, innovating and working collectively to deliver the promise of Scouting – helping more young people to be ‘Ready for Life’ everywhere.”
Photo: Facebook Southern Africa Scouts Zone
As the region looks ahead to its 50th anniversary in 2027, the conference reinforced a shared commitment to unity, collaboration, and empowering young people as to ensure that Scouting in Southern Africa continues to grow stronger together. The 50th anniversary will be held in Botswana in 2027.