From Chief Scout Brendon Hausberger
Dear Scout, Scouters, Parents and Supporters,
When 2020 started we were deluged with messages about 2020 vision and 20-plenty. In hindsight, those were more than a bit ironic given how all of us were blindsided when March brought life as we knew it to a grinding halt with a national lockdown and the first suspension of face to face Scouting activities in almost a century due to the spread of COVID-19.
However, there was one thing we saw plenty of…. heroes.
You, our members, responded to this challenge like the heroes you are. Whether it was putting together Scouting from home programmes, parents helping our youth to implement those programmes, or setting up soup kitchens, delivering food and medicine to vulnerable people, packing food parcels, making masks, supporting frontline health workers,… Where there was a need, you stepped up and delivered.
But you were also there for each other – meeting virtually in meetings, events and campfires – sharing support, encouragement, and light on the darker days. Sometimes it was the smallest sign of concern or care that had the greatest impact on other people. The Scout Law says that a Scout is a friend to all and a brother to every other Scout, and you have certainly demonstrated that the year.
Sometimes it was the smallest sign of concern or care that had the greatest impact on other people.
And our Scouters went that extra mile to help our youngster have opportunities to grow, advance and develop during the days we were locked into our homes. You even went so far as to hold regional competitions with members participating as Patrols online. Had we even considered this a year ago, most would have considered it not to be possible – but you all did it!
Then when the rules permitted us to get outside we called on you to join us in hiking to Mahikeng, and we all got out there and stretched our legs, with some members even making it to Mahikeng and back again in the allotted time. We look forward to seeing how many of our Patrols will complete the Senior Scout hike challenge this December.
So, as we come to the end of this challenging year, we thank everyone for their hard work, for making the effort to overcome their personal challenges to be there for others and for being a positive change in the lives of others.
We know that with the exciting news of medical developments there may be an end to the pandemic in sight, but we still have a road to travel. So be safe this holiday, keep up the social distancing, mask-wearing and sanitising, especially as infection numbers start to climb again.
We want to see you all there in 2021 as we work towards growing as a Movement and as a country to recover from the impact of this past year. We have some exciting times to look forward to with the Lekgotla, Sanjamb and many other events planned. Sure, we will have some road bumps to navigate, but that is okay – we will be prepared and take them in our stride.
A blessed festive season to you all, have a good break, be safe and we look forward to another year of making the world a better place.
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