Message from Chief Scout Khonzaphi Mdaka
Dear Scouts and Scouting peers,
As we celebrate Heritage Day, let’s recognise that heritage is not just something we remember, it’s something we live and pass on to others. Today’s theme “celebrating our living heritage: strengthening the ties that bind us” has made me stop and think about how we interpret our heritage.
As Scouts, we understand the importance of heritage. Our Movement has its own long history, shaped by generations of young people and volunteers who have learned, served, led and contributed to bettering the lives of others and their neighbourhoods. What we enjoy today has been built on the efforts of those who came before us.
As I reflect on our heritage, I am reminded of our role as leaders and active citizens. Being an active citizen means taking an interest in what happens around us and taking responsibility for the world in which we live. Our Scout Promise and Law encourage us to be responsible, trustworthy and of service to others. They challenge us to lead by example. Practically, this could be by keeping our schools and parks litter free, by helping someone in need or supporting a local charity through food and clothing drives. These actions are all rooted in the values we all stand for in Scouting.
But active citizenship also means recognising that heritage is something we inherit as well as something we create for the next generation. We have inherited a country shaped by the sacrifices, struggles, achievements and choices of previous generations. We now have the opportunity to build on that heritage and create a legacy for those who come after us. The choices we make today will shape the communities that our children and grandchildren will inherit.
The ongoing crisis of gender-based violence and femicide reminds us that the values we pass on through our actions matter. Our Scout Law speaks of the importance of respecting our brothers and sisters, reminding us of the responsibility we have towards one another. The harm experienced by our daughters, sisters, mothers and grandmothers cannot be the heritage we pass on to the next generation. We must be willing to speak up when we see behaviour that goes against these values. As Scouts, we have a responsibility to stand as Messengers of Peace and to teach our young people, particularly our boys and young men, that respect, dignity and equality are not simply words but values we must live by. We must teach through our actions that violence and abuse have no place in the communities we are building and in the legacy we leave behind. As a father and a Scout my position is clear: “Not in my name, and not in my time.”
The next Local Government Elections are taking place in November. I mention this not to make a political statement, but because as active citizens we can contribute to creating a better environment for others. Local government decisions affect many of the things we experience every day such as local parks, schools, infrastructure and the services that contribute to the quality of life in our communities. So, I ask you to think about what have we inherited, and what will we leave behind? In asking yourself that question, think about how a vote in November could make the difference you want to see in your neighbourhood.
Let us celebrate our heritage by living our Scout values, serving our communities and showing through our actions what responsible citizenship and respect for all looks like. Our heritage is not only the story we remember. It is the foundation from which we build the future.