By Caroline Boshoff, SCOUTS SA Content Creator

World Scouting, Pablo Cuadra Caro

Rovers, together with World Scouting Secretary General David Berg, Africa Scout Region Director Frédéric Tutu  Kama-Kama, Africa Scout Committee Vice-Chair Leonilda Lima, and SCOUTS South Africa leadership, stepped back in time as they experienced the newly launched Modderfontein Audio Tour—a self-guided journey through one of South Africa’s lesser-known, yet significant, Scouting heritage sites.

The project was born from a desire to preserve and share the story of Baden-Powell’s time in Modderfontein, where he lived near the dynamite factory and established a Constabulary to protect it. “Not many people know that Baden-Powell lived here. We wanted people at the Moot to experience that history, so we created a video and audio tour that allows anyone to explore the route in their own time. This was important to us as if we don’t record history, it gets lost,” said project lead Peter le Roux. “The project was made possible through crowdfunding on the Scout Donation Platform and the dedication of the Gauteng Heritage Team, including Paula Groenewald and Alison Odgers, who adapted the research from the Kohler family to write the scripts and recorded the tour.” Along the route, Rovers visited Baden-Powell’s former home, the blockhouse and flagpole, stood where he drilled his Troops, and heard the oath of the Modderfontein Constabulary which they recognised as one of the foundations of today’s Scout Promise and Scout Law. Three geocaches have also been placed along the route, inviting even more visitors to discover the area’s Scouting heritage.

World Scouting, Caroline Boshoff

Reflecting on the experience, David Berg said, “Visiting these sites reminds us how deeply rooted Scouting is in Africa and offers valuable insight into where Baden-Powell found inspiration. History and tradition should used as inspiration as they provide the foundation on which we build. My challenge to every Rover is to be inspired, to talk about the challenges of today, and to shape a Scout Movement for the next generation.”

World Scouting

SCOUTS South Africa Chief Commissioner Gary Pienaar welcomed the initiative, saying, “SCOUTS SA is proud that the idea for the Scout Movement was born in South Africa. It is important that we preserve these stories and share them with the world. While Mafikeng is our most well-known Scouting heritage site, it is wonderful to now recognise Modderfontein as another location with such a rich history.” He thanked the team for this valuable contribution to Scouting’s history and South Africa’s heritage.