Cartoon by Peter GibsonMessages from former Scouts

There are former South African Scouts all over the country and also in most parts of the world, and this page is aimed at keeping them in touch via email. Maybe you'd like to leave your message here, or perhaps get in touch with one of the people below...

You can add your name and message to this list.


Hi, my name is Tshepo Lelaka and I was a member of the 11th Mmakau troop. I was a member of the 1995 World Scout Jamboree. I would like to liaise with the guys who were on that trip.

Cheers

Tshepo Lelaka <tshepo.lelaka at up.ac.za>
20 October 2006


Hi, my name is Alistair Low. I was a member of the 1st Fish Hoek Sea Scout in the Cape from about 1984 to 1987 when we left to go to Australia. I am still living in Melbourne, Australia. I enjoyed my time in the scouts, made some great friends and was sorry to leave.

Would be great to hear from anyone who was there during that time.

Alistair Low <Alistair.Low at boral.com.au>
28 March 2006



I am an ex boy scout at 2nd green&sea point this was in 21/1/75 and my number was 259/75. I can not member how long I was there for, but if you have any names of leaders and cubs after that time I would be grateful.

I am present a Beaver leader Redwood Colony 3rd Hayling Scout Group UK. But my best time in scouting was in the Cape Cubs and Sea Scouts 12th Green & Sea Point number 376/76
Visit our Website on www.haylingscouts.org.uk

I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Roger Henning Knight <m.creese556 at btinternet.com>
14 March 2006


Hi my name is Denzil Smith. I was first a member of the 40th Durban (Montclair) cubs in 1962-3 and became scout in 1965. I then moved to 1st Port Natal Sea Scouts (9th Durban) in 1966 where I eventually obtained my Springbok Badge about 1968 and Chief Scouts Award in 1969. I eventually left to do army training and returned in 1975 as assistant scout master at 1st Port Natal and progressed to scout master and earned my Wood Badge. Later in 1979 I became scout master of 52nd Durban for about a year and have not had any contact since then.

Denzil Smith <denzil at dimcom.co.za>


Wow! Call back the past! Came across the message from Mark Christofersen in the "2001 and before" page (posted in 1998) while doing a totally unrelated web search. And his reminiscences of St. Thomas' 4th Durban. I too was there in the early 60's, and can recall some of those he mentions. I was leader of the very first Eagles patrol, my mother created our flag from an eagle cut out from the comic of the same name. It was the "South Africanisation" of what were previously partially eurocentric names, and I got to choose the new name. My patrol was previously "Woodpigeons". I was also a drummer in the bugle band.

Arthur Godbeer <arthur at eps.co.za>
9 November 2005


Hi my name is Peter Meyer I was a cub and a scout at 1st Constantia from 1970 -1978 and returned as an assistant scouter after my national service. I obtained my Chief Scout award. Due to the closing of the cub pack we amalgamated with 1st Naruna and became known as 1st Naruna Constantia. I would like to hear from old scouts of 1st Constantia.

Peter Meter <meyerhome at telkomsa.net>
6 April 2004


Hi all,

The Lexden PLTU will be holding its 100th Course from 7 - 17 July 2004. To date more than 3000 scouts have completed the course. We would like as many of them as possible to join in our celebrations.

If you are interested in finding out more about the celebrations and what is happening at Lexden, please contact:

Guy Caws (secretary) <guyca at absamail.co.za>
Grant Maartens (chairman) <maartens at glenwoodhighschool.co.za>
18 January 2004


Hi, I am looking for my 1/2 brother Desmond Nicholas - Queen's Scout. Last seen in March 1968 in Pietermaritzburg. He/we also have a brother Colin whom I have never met. Looking to fill in gaps in Family Tree. Any help would be appreciated.

Lesley Smit <lesleys at dbn.stormnet.co.za>
5 October 2003


If there is anybody out there who I might have come into contact with during my scouting days in Port Elizabeth (1st Walmer) 1983-1990; at Lexden, Gilsands, Gilcoast PLTU's; Sanjamb '89/'93, various Cedarberg adventures etc please e-mail me and renew the friendship!! I am now living in London.

David Horan <davehorras at aol.com>
London, 22 April 2003


My name is George van Straten. I was with 9th Cape Town Sea Scouts from 1971 to 1973. We used to travel through to Lakeside and spend weekends at the Sea Scout Base there. I forget the name now, but we used to have loads of fun sailing and rowing, and of course had loads of chores to do such as emptying the toilet buckets etc.

We also camped at Gilcape where I achieved my Trekker Badge.

Scouts is one of the few ways that youngsters can have the right start to life while learning about life itself.

George van Straten <straten at namibnet.com>
Namibia, 26 February 2003


I was a cub (1971 to 1973) and scout (1973 to 1981) with 1st Hillcrest. Went to PLTU in Dec 1977? as a pant and again in 1981?as quarter master. (someone please verify these dates - I have photo's but no dates. Father Ian ran my 1st camp. The second camp resulted in 5 of us landing up in Grey's hospital with Encephalitis)

I achieved leaping wolf and Springbok and Chief scout along the way and went to the 4th Asia Pacific, 12th Australian Jamboree in December 1980. What an experience that was.

Scouting gave me great opportunities and skills which I use today. My daughter was the first girl scout in Kerikeri for about 5 months (others have now joined) and is enjoying it. My son has started as a cub and after all these years, I am getting back involved as a cub leader.

To all my cub leaders and scout masters, I thank you for the time and effort you put into making it fun and a success. As an adult, I now realize the time and sacrifices you must have made, especially when taking us camping so many times during a year.

Memories of Raft races at Midmar and the Weaver raft race in the Transvaal spring to mind as well as camping in the Natal midlands in July, Competions at Kloof and Pinetown (building roman balistis and the highest flag poles) are still clear in my mind.

Stephen Scotney <stevescotney at xtra.co.nz>
New Zealand, 13 January 2002


I was a member of 1st Parkmore in Sandton in 1971 and 1972. I'd like to get duplicates of the badges that I earned as a scout. Pictures of them are on my web site at
http://www.keithley.org/~kaleb/sascouts/sascout.html. If anyone has any
leads or suggestions I would be most appreciative.

Kaleb S. KEITHLEY <kaleb at keithley.org>
16 December 2002


I was one of the founder members of 1st Monte Vista Scout Troop, serving as PL and TL from 1970? to 1974. Unfortunately my family moved away to Pretoria, where I spent almost 25 years before moving to England. Thanks for a great site - it would be good if any current and ex-members of 1st Monte Vista would see fit to correspond with me. I have many, many fond memories and great appreciation for the best Scout Troop in the world. I look forward to receiving hundreds of emails.

Best regards to all across the great lake!

Carl Karshagen <ckarshagen at pmprofessional.com>
England - 2 August 2002


I belonged to the 1st Paarl Scout group from 1983-1994 going through my time as a Cub and a Scout with this group.

I have been travelling round the world for the last 8 years making London, UK my base. I have travelled to the Middle East, spending most of time in Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Palestine. I have spent time in Europe, South East Asia, Australia and New Zealand. I would like to hear from anyone in the UK that belonged to the 1st Paarl group.

Albert Short <albert.short at csfb.com>
15 July 2002


This is Carol Bonke

I was an assistant pack Scouter at Table View

I am now in the Netherlands but will never forget the good times I had at Table View Blaauwberg Scout Group and all the people who taught with me there

Any ex teachers or scout members are welcome to write to me on kidnpuppetshow at yahoo.com

My message to all is Learn what you can from your helpers

Also be on your guard when you heed a command from a leader, especially if they are new

Only if it is a safe command, proceed to obey

If you feel unsure about anything tell your parents or someone in uniform straight away It is your right

Someone will listen to you

Carol ex van der spuy Bonke <kidnpuppetshow at yahoo.com>
The Netherlands - 14 April 2002


My name is Keith Porter I used to be a scout in 1st Observatory (Cape Town). Prior to that I was a cub at 6th Rondebosch where my Dad used to be scout master! (that's why I joined Observatory!) I later became a scout master for 1st Monte Vista and finally a Rover Leader. My cubbing years were from approx 1950 onwards, scouting I guess from 1966 onwards!

Two of my ex Rovers are staying in Gauteng and are desperately looking for a cub pack to put their son into -- any help???

Keith Porter <porterk at iafrica.com>
Monte Vista, Cape Town - 28 February 2002


* which South African Scout Group you were in
1st Camps Bay
* when you were a Cub or Scout (which years)
Cub from 1966 -1971. Scout from 1971 - 1978. Rover from 1978 - 1982.
ASM 1st Camps Bay 1979 - 1981
* where you are now living
Bergen, Norway but I also own a house in Kommetjie, Cape South
Peninsula and will be moving back to SA shortly.

Cheers and happy scouting,

Bradley Thorsen <bradley.thorsen at kvaerner.com>
Bergen, Norway - 21 February 2002


I've been known as Crane since 1964 when I was given the name by 4th Oudtshoorn. The GSM at that time was Norman Van der Merwe - Are you out there? As I served in the Permanent Force I was subject to a number of transfers. I have run the following Troops as Scout Master, now called Troop Scouter.

4th Oudtshoorn 1964 to 1968
1st Heidelberg - I started from scratch in 1968/9 to 1971
29th Valhalla 1971 - 1972 ??
4th DELP in the 70's
34th Hellenic in the 80's
23rd Lyttelton 1990 to 1999
9th Irene Air Scouts - 2001 to present.

I thought I was getting a bit long in the tooth for Scouting until Brian Ross persuaded me to take over the Troop. We are almost 48 on the books and growing - Will be at Kontiki. Be nice to hear from Old and young friends. Also anyone in the Centurion area - You could benefit yourself as well as our boys.

Crane - Martin Foster <msfoster at lantic.net>
Johannesburg - 19 February 2002


I was a TL with 8th Pretoria St Alban's from 1950-1957, was a Queen's Scout, and went to the Jubilee Jamboree in England in 1957, as aprt of the Rover Moot contingent. I would love to hear from anybody from that era - my ambition is to go the 2007 Jamboree as a bit of an old toppie (never call me that though!!!). I am living in Johannesburg now.

Colin Dovey <colin_dovey at hotmail.com>
Johannesburg - 13 January 2002