14 March 2011
Dear fellow Scouts,
The National Scout Council met this past weekend in Pretoria. We used this opportunity to reflect on the Movement in SA and the challenges facing us as a movement.
We have undertaken a comprehensive assessment of the state of the Movement and did not like what we saw. Despite some pockets of excellence, we have become lethargic. Our offering to the youth of South Africa has not kept pace with a changing world. We have become bureaucratic to the extent that it is a burden to adult leaders and a hindrance to delivery of programmes to our cubs, scouts and rovers.
Clearly this is untenable. We are all in agreement that we want a movement that is current and reflects the needs of our youth, that is vibrant, fast moving and fun to be a part of. In short our aim is to revitalise Scouts!
To this affect we have committed to undertake a project to address the challenges facing the movement. Project REV IT will commence with immediate effect.
To get where we want to be, requires that we all pull together as one, take along what works and discard those things that do not benefit the Movement as a whole. It will require all of your support to reach our destination.
I wish to assure you that the Values and Principles that form the foundation of the Movement, as well as the Aims and Methods will remain unchanged.
We will be communicating progress to you on a regular basis via various channels. We will value your suggestions for revitalizing the movement.
I do hope you will join in with the NSC on this journey of transformation.
Rev Dr Vukile Mehana
Chief Scout of South Africa