Written by Sandile Tshabalala, SCOUTS South Africa Board Chair
Today is World Social Justice Day. The conditions of the world are threatening our collective humanity and environmental sustainability. The recent floods in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and Mozambique remind us of the fragility of the times we live in; the effects of climate change are now here and real. The consequences of these disasters mostly affect children in under-served communities who have little life support during times of environmental crisis.
In revisiting the essence of social justice, we are reminded that social justice includes environmental wellbeing and our harmony with nature. Every season in South Africa, we encounter severe weather conditions which result in water scarcity, energy insecurity, and threats to food security. Right now, some major cities are facing shortages of these critical basic services due to climate and infrastructure challenges.
In these uncertain times, social justice requires heightened solidarity for collective action. SCOUTS South Africa plays a significant role in this collective action for social justice because our programmes are not only aligned to the Sustainable Development Goals but truly resonate with the needs of people in the most vulnerable communities. Scouting is a social justice movement that prioritises poverty eradication, promotes gender equality, and ensures access to social well-being and justice for all.
This year, the United Nations theme for World Social Justice Day is “social protection and decent work for all”, which focuses on building fairer and more resilient societies. This includes strong social protection systems, the protection of labour rights, the promotion of social dialogue, and inclusive public services. Together, such measures enable communities to adapt to economic, climate, and technological transitions with dignity and genuine opportunities.
Scouting helps children understand social justice realities and prepares them to be leaders that bring solutions.
In SCOUTS SA, our programme design is embedded in skills development that equips young people with preparedness for the world of work through practical tools that enable high performance at both a personal and professional level, with a strong sense of connectedness to society and its fragilities.
Social justice is inseparable from Scouting’s impact in communities, giving hope to children who needed extra-mural activities after school hours and to young adults who needed hands-on experience to sharpen their vocational skills. Social justice should not remain a theoretical endeavour, especially in the midst of climate catastrophes. Children and families need protection from shocks – including conflict, the impacts of climate change, and rising living costs – through inclusive social policies and effective social safety nets. Scouting is a social safety net for children, helping them to understand social justice realities in their communities and preparing them to be leaders that bring solutions.
Public-private partnerships should always see Scouting as a partner in community development and in making social justice values a lived reality.