LIMPOPO – Collen Ramuthiveli from Nzhelele Ha-Maulule village, who started his scouts journey in 1996 in Krugersdorp, says it has been a fulfilling adventure and he is not looking back.
His love for adventure saw him join the Mafaesa Scout Group in Kagiso Mafaesa where he went on to join the 1st Kagiso Scout Group and then moved on to join the Unified Scout Group in Gauteng, under the leadership and mentorship of Tebogo Rakgabyane.
He said it is for this reason that he appeals to the parents from the Nzhelele area and surrounding community in Vhembe to encourage their children to join the scouts.
He said ever since he joined the Scout Movement, he has always done his best to show that scouting is more than just a movement for young people, but one that ultimately becomes a lifestyle for those who join and stay on.
“Take advantage of this opportunity, it will change your life for the better. I have recently moved back to settle at Ha Maelula and I am looking forward to start a new scout group where young people between the ages of 11-26 can be absorbed into the programme offered by Scouts South Africa. The group will at first have 1 Unit, a scout troop for young people between the ages of 11-18 years, and will, later on incorporate a Rover Crew for young adults between 18-26 into the programme,” said Ramuthiveli.
He had the opportunity to attend and participate in the 21st World Scout Jamboree which was held in the UK in 2007.
“In 2010, I represented Scouts South Africa at the 4th International Scouting Gathering for Scouting and Intellectual Initiatives in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. I was 19 years old at the time, and received a trophy and award in the category for micro projects, presented by representatives from 78 countries, and with 123 participants who were in attendance,” he said.
In May 2010 he participated in the International Camp Staff Programme in the US, in which he served as staff at Philmont Camp for three months.
“I am so happy with my accomplishments, and I am more than delighted that I got the opportunity to represent Scouts South Africa and the country at large. Being a scout has shown me that there are no issues of being different from one another, despite speaking different languages, and coming from different cultural backgrounds. It’s our being diverse that makes us all one,” he said.
If you would like to join the scouts, you can contact Collen at 071 098 2584.
