Cederberg and Mafikeng Rocks!

Other than sharing the fact that both the Cederberg mountains and Mafikeng are in rocky terrains (Mafikeng means “place of stones”), both had something else in common – big Scout events seeing in the Centenary of Scouting! The first Centenary events worldwide.

The Cederberg Adventure for senior Scouts, 28 December until 8 January 2007, saw in a spectacular New Year in the Cederberg Mountains North of Cape Town. Participants from 12 countries including teams from Saudi Arabia, Ireland, Belgium, Namibia, Zimbabwe, USA and South Africa.

The Cederberg Adventure is a high adventure event with bases that included light aircraft flying, archery, para-sailing, scuba diving, gold panning, rock climbing, clay pigeon shooting and many more. A successful “Scouting and AIDS awareness” base was also run as part of South Africa’s Gifts for Peace project, supported by Nicola Gooderson from the World Scout Bureau. By all accounts, the international participants and local Scouts all agreed that it was a world-class event and an excellent example of Scouting in action, in the environment and truly an adventure.

In partnership with the Scout Association in the UK, the Mafikeng Centenary Moot was held at the SCENE in Mafikeng from 28 December until 5 January 2007 and was attended by participants from Austria, Sweden, Finland, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland, Zambia, United Kingdom and South Africa. This was a truly memorable event for all concerned.

Activities included renovating a neglected school, the presentation of toys to an AIDS orphanage, viewing game (including white rhino at 10m!!) and the opening of the BP Trail. The BP Trail leads the hiker to historically relevant sites, the home of the original founder of Mafikeng, beautiful landscapes and the city museum and Scout offices. While exhausted, all participants completed the 20km hike and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity. 2007 was greeted in fine Moot style and the Centenary of Scouting, as celebrated in Mafikeng, firmly etched in the minds of all involved.

Both events were featured on national TV and radio items. Well done to everybody who made these events a tremendous success.