Scouts South Africa Scouting Icon, Garnet de la Hunt Passes On

It is with great sadness that we announce the demise of Garnet de la Hunt, who was until the time of his death Chairman and Board Member of the National Scout Council, Scouts South Africa. He was also former Chairman of the World Scout Committee and former WSF Board Member.

Before the age of 16, he received the King’s Scout badge, which is the highest obtainable award for a Scout under the age of 18. In 1976 he played a key role in uniting the four Scout Movements into one unified non- racial entity, despite the political regime of segregation. In 1977 he was elected Provincial Commissioner for the Western Cape where he then actively promoted the programmes of the single unified non-racial South African Scout Movement despite the politics of the day. In 1985 he became the Chief Scout of South Africa.

We will remember him as a true Leader who offered himself selflessly for the good of the Movement. Just last year in April, he received the Presidential Silver Supreme Counselor of the Order of the Baobab. The Order of the Baobab recognizes and awards people for their commitment to the uplifting and empowerment of generations and as such the development and growth of the country as a whole. This award was bestowed on him by South African President Zuma for his exceptional, inspirational volunteerism and dedication to community service and youth empowerment within the South African Scout Movement.

As a member of the task force that drafted the WOSM publication "What is Scouting”, he redefined and updated Baden Powell’s fundamental values and principles that guide over 32 million children and youths in over 162 countries worldwide today.

For his services to Scouting he also received other awards, amongst them the Order of the Silver Springbok, which is the highest award in South African Scouting. He also received the Order of St. Mark (Greek Orthodox), The Silver Wolf, which is an award from the Swedish Scout Association in recognition of his service to International Scouting, and the Bronze Wolf that is awarded by WOSM in recognition of his service to World Scouting. These awards are only given to people that have provided a lifetime of selfless and voluntary service to the uplifting and service of youth and country.

He was a key figure within the Scout Movement on a national and international level for decades. He showed global leaders that South Africans are people with integrity, courage, tolerance, respect, determination and heart.
World Scouting mourns this sad loss and convey their condolences to his family, as well as to his friends and admirers the world over and join them in paying my tribute to him.