Messages 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.

My name is Tertius Slothouber (Turtle) I was with 1st Constantia scout group from 1974 till 1985. After my scouting days I stayed on and became assistant scout master till I left RSA and moved back to Australia where I was born. My scouting days were the best days of my life with so many fond memories. Hiking in the Cedar berg mountains especially. I remember Peter Meyer being my troop leader Chris Van Breda and few others. I hope Scouting in South Africa is still as much fun as we had.

Tertius Slothouber <abisko2 at iinet.net.au>
7 November 2009

I was a member of the 1st Worcester cub pack from 1961 to 1963 and the 1st Worcester Scout Troop from 1963 to 1966. Attended the 5 year S A Republic Jamboree in Pretoria in 1966. Due to a family relocation, transferred to 2nd Bellville in 1967 and in 1968 was a founding member of 1st Kuils River, becoming Troop Leader the following year. Became the Assistant Scoutmaster there in 1970 until military training took me away for a year. On returning in 1972 I took over as Scoutmaster and completed my Wood Badge. Due to other commitments, I resigned in 1974 and remained involved as an examiner until 1976. Good days those, and I remember participating in the Gordons Shield and Rayner Trophy on a number of occasions.

Cliff Hocking <cliff.hocking at echsa.co.za>
16 August 2009

My name is wilhelm rigaardt. I was with the 1st walvis bay sea scouts 1959-1961. I obtained my springbok badge then and my buddy [now deceased] frikkie dobson was a queen scout-one of the last in sa then. I went on to become an officer in the sadf armoured corps and fought in swa and angola. now retired and reciding in virginia in the goudveld. may god bless you all.

Wilhelm Rigaardt <wcarig at telkomsa.net>
16 February 2009

I have 47 years with scouting and am always interested with what is happening, I have run a troop for many years, a rover group and been a DC in the Western Transvaal for many years. Went to the Jamboree in 1957 at Sutton Colfields in England. I hold 2 Woodbages one for scouts and the second for DC, have been to 4 Jamborallies in South Africa and was involved with organizing one in Orkney in the Transvaal. The nearest scout group to where we stay (Gansbaai) is over 40 Kilometers away did try to start a group here going for about 3 years but through lack of interest it faded. There is no high school here and most of the children go to boarding school.

Have now retired and have started a small B & B (www.ama-krokka.co.za) to keep busy, activities around here are diving for the white shark and whale watching.

Lionel Paeper <info at ama-krokka.co.za>
12 February 2009

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.

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