SOUTH AFRICA SCOUT ASSOCIATION

The first Scout Troops in South Africa were functioning by March 1908. This early start is not surprising when the close association of the Founder with Southern Africa is taken into consideration, for B-P spent most of the years from 1884 to 1905 on military and police service in this sub-continent. He is especially remembered for his leadership of the besieged defenders of Mafeking during the South African War, where he trained boys for auxiliary duties to replace soldiers who then became available for the front line.

Many of the ideas incorporated in Scouting were obtained by B-P from both his friends and his enemies during the various campaigns in which he took part. The uniform of today's South African Scouts is similar to that of the South African Constabulary, a force raised and commanded by B-P after the South African War. As B-P himself said in 1926 "none of the fellows in other countries know that the flag (the Scout flag, a golden arrowhead on a green ground) was first started in SA. As you know the colors are those of the Transvaal and the Orange Free State. But those were also the colors of the SA Constabulary ... and when I took to being a Scout, I took the colors with me. A good deal of our Scouting started in South Africa". The Wood Badge is a replica of the neck ornament that was once worn by King Dinizulu of the Zulus.

The history of Scouting is thus closely linked with the history of Southern Africa. As a prominent South African educator said when writing of Scouting:

South Africa is an ideal country for Scouting. The climate and the full variety of the terrain, from densely built urban areas to waterless desert and mountain wilderness, allow Scouting in the outdoors of the most adventurous and challenging sort. Camping, hiking, water activities, pioneering, field sports and orienteering are essential parts of the Scout Program, and receive increasing emphasis as the Scout matures.

Special nationally mounted activities for Senior/ Venturer Scouts include the Senior Scout Safaris to remote areas and the Senior Scout Adventures. Scouts from other Countries are welcome to participate in these activities.

The National Senior Scout Adventures, which are held every two or three years, have on each occasion followed a similar pattern with the difference that both the scale and standard improve with each Adventure. Patrols of Scouts between 14 1/2 and 18 years old hike along trails, cross mountains, and swim down rivers to reach activity centers, which are staffed by experts in their fields. These centers feature scuba diving, rock climbing, an extremely challenging commando course; water skiing; sailing; pioneering; motor engineering; wind surfing; canoeing; radio fox-hunting; archery; dutch oven and reflector-fire cooking; survival (where rucksacks are taken from the Patrols and they are instructed on living on (and have to live on) edible roots and creatures of the field); and swimming with waterproofed kits down a river canyon. Thus the Adventures enable Scouts to put into practice at an advanced level the skills that they learn back home. An added advantage is the beautiful scenery, the comradeship of the Patrol, and the opportunity to meet fellow Scouts from other parts of the Country.

The Adventures held in the mountains near Cape Town attract Scouts from all over South Africa as well as from neighboring States and from overseas.

The Boy Scouts of South Africa has given the lead in several special activities that have been adopted worldwide. It initiated the International "Show and Do Conservation Kit" and Public Relations Manual. In 1971 the idea of a "Join-in-Jamboree" developed by Vic Clapham was promoted and accepted internationally during Nordjamb '75. The concept earned the highest award from the Public Relations Society of America in 1976.

Scouting in South Africa has a program of training designed to appeal to boys and at the same time to fulfill an educational function, focusing on the development of leadership, character and citizenship. It is well established in South Africa. There are some 50,000 Scouts (nearly half of them Black) in the Country. Furthermore, it is non-racial. Bridge building between the races is an important aspect of Scouting, and one, which will become more and more important in the future. Scouts taking part in camping, hiking, mountaineering and sailing are able to get to know each other as individuals; to work together for the common good; and to overcome challenges together.. In addition, Scout Groups in the more affluent sectors of the community have linked themselves with less-privileged Scout Groups, and contribute time, funds, and encouragement to promote Scouting in these areas. A major project is well under way to increase the influence of Scouting in the urban under-privileged townships, and especially to develop the leadership talents of many of the young men who live there. Manpower, finance and other resources have been mobilized to give thrust to this endeavor, which is being supported by community and business leaders.

The training program has recently been comprehensively revised to keep pace with social conditions in South Africa; with changes in boy interests; with the competitive demands on the time of the boy; and with technology. In some areas, the Scout Program includes activities such as soil conservation, vegetable growing and bricklaying, whereas in other areas it includes computer technology and the use of sophisticated surveying instruments.

Nevertheless the training program remains faithful to the principles laid down by B-P, which include: commitment to a code of living that embraces tolerance and mutual understanding, learning by doing, small groups working together under youth leadership with adult assistance, and a progressive system of simulating activities.

Around 1995, The Boy Scouts of South Africa changed its name to "The South Africa Scout Association." In 1999, girls were admitted to all sections.

The National Scout Council of the Boy Scouts of South Africa (BSSA) adopted a resolution backing the national peace initiative launched by the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, Rev. Dr. H. Stanley Mogoba, who is also the President of the BSSA. Since BSSA recognizes the urgent need for peace in South Africa, today they pledged to oppose all forms of violence in our country and commits itself to peace. Realizing that peace is the only way to harmony and unity in this country, the Boy Scouts of South Africa will do everything it can to promote peace and make this our land a place where we can all live, work and play without fear'. Each member of the movement was asked on Founder's Day, February 22nd 'to pray for peace and to make a personal commitment to work for peace. A peace prayer was translated into seven South African languages, and was distributed to all Scouts.

Information was obtained from WOSM reports, the South Africa Scout Association website and from Ian Webb.

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