For 1st Barberton Scout Group’s Ntandokazi Princess Faith Nkosi, Scouting has been a journey of discovery, resilience and leadership. From outdoor adventures and community service to academic excellence and international friendships, her experiences have helped shape the confident young leader she is today. In her own words, Ntandokazi shares how Scouting has influenced her life and why she believes it continues to empower young people to reach their full potential.
“My Scouting journey began in 2022 when I was in Grade 9. I used to watch the Scouts at my school and what really caught my attention wasn’t just what they were doing, but how they were doing it, the teamwork, the laughter, the work ethic and the leadership skills they showed. I was curious about how they could find so much joy and fulfilment in activities that looked so physically demanding. That curiosity completely drove me to want that same experience for myself, so I approached the Scout Leader, asked for an application form and joined the Movement. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made,” says Ntandokazi excitedly.
“Scouting never gets stagnant; there is always a new milestone to reach, a new skill to master and a community of like-minded people supporting you every step of the way. This has kept me hooked on Scouting! My absolute favourite outdoor adventure by far has to be our year-end closing camp at Mankele in 2024. It was an experience I will honestly never forget for the rest of my life. What made it even more special was that our German friend, Lana, who was visiting us in South Africa, came along and shared the whole adventure with us! The absolute highlight was the hiking challenge where we walked a massive 50 kilometres! Your body wants to quit, but you learn to mentally push through and it really boosted my confidence. Beyond that, the camp was packed with high-energy activities like ziplining, swimming, and mountain bike riding, and an obstacle course. Having Lana there as part of the 1st Barberton family made it really fun.”
Photo: !st Barbeton Facebook
Scouting has given her a life filled with adventure but has also pushed her to grow. “The activity that pushed me furthest out of my comfort zone happened at my very first summer camp in 2023. I was still quite new to Scouting at the time, having just joined the previous year, when I was given the challenge to do a presentation on a very serious topic: gender-based violence. To make it even more challenging, it was a partner competition where each Scout was paired up with a ten-year-old child, and we had to present together in front of all our leaders. I had to step up, do most of the talking, and make sure I absolutely nailed the presentation to carry our team. I dealt with the nerves by focusing entirely on the message and guiding my young partner, and luckily, our hard work paid off because we walked away with first place,” continues Ntandokazi.
“One of my biggest milestones was earning my Discoverer Badge. The best part of that journey was the sense of self-discovery and realising what I am truly capable of. Pushing through the requirements, mastering survival skills and working closely with my Patrol showed me the value of perseverance and teamwork when things get tough. Experiences like these are why I can honestly say that Scouting has been the ultimate training ground for my personal growth. Scouting shaped my leadership skills by giving me real responsibilities, teaching me how to guide a Patrol, communicate effectively and make smart decisions under pressure. Because of Scouting, I don’t fear challenges anymore; I see them as opportunities to learn and lead.”
Over the years Ntandokazi has participated in various service projects and National campaigns such as the Plastic Tide Turners (PTTC) and SCOUTS SA National Challenges. “Scouting has also taught me values such as humility and empathy. Through our community work, I learned the importance of helping people in need and understanding that we have a responsibility to give back to the world. The PTTC and National Challenges were eye-opening. They taught me the practical side of environmental sustainability and showed me the deep connection between our daily actions and the health of our local ecosystem. These projects are important for young people because our generation is going to inherit this planet. Instead of just complaining about pollution or climate change, these projects give us the tools and the practical skills to make a visible difference. It completely changes your mindset from just looking out for yourself to looking out for your whole community.”
New Scouting friends from Zimbabwe
As a Scout youth get opportunities to meet and engage with peers from around the world at various international events. For Ntandokazi the recent Africa Scout Day event was one for the books! “It was my first time experiencing such a large event, and I was honoured to be the only Rover Scout selected from the 1st Barberton Scout Group to attend. The energy was unmatched! I loved every single moment of it; meeting a diversity of people, learning about different cultures, hearing so many different African languages and witnessing different religious traditions all united in one place. Meeting Scouts from other countries completely opened my eyes. I spent time with Scouts from Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Germany. We shared stories, exchanged items and learned from one another. That experience taught me that despite our different languages and borders, our core values and the Scouting spirit are the same. We truly are one big global family!”
In 2025 Ntandokazi was named the Best Grade 12 Learner at Barberton Combined School. “While it felt incredibly rewarding, I knew how hard I had worked throughout the year. I put in countless late nights, remained disciplined and pushed myself every day. I believe Scouting helped me become a better learner. When you are a Scout, you understand that your actions reflect on the entire Movement, so you hold yourself to a higher standard. The discipline, respect and responsibility you learn in Scouting naturally carry over into the classroom.” This year she has taken a gap year and is preparing herself to start her university journey in 2027. As for Scouting … “Because of Scouting, I am a resilient, confident and a purpose-driven leader who is ready to make a positive impact on the world around me. I am to pass this on and inspire young people as an adult leader.
With Chief Scout Khonzaphi Mdaka and fellow Scout
This Youth Month, I want young people to know that Scouting is so much more than camping and outdoor adventures. It is a place where you discover who you are, where you learn to lead, where you build confidence and where you find a family that supports you through every challenge.”