Following the successful completion of
the 2017 Africa Scout Day Celebrations hosted by the Tanzania Scouts
Association in Arusha, the responsibility for organizing next year’s
celebrations was formally handed over to the Scouts Association of
Zimbabwe (SAZ).
While receiving the Africa Scout Day
flag form the Chairperson of the Africa Scout Committee, Dr. Wayne Davis
and the Regional Director, Frederic Kama-Kama, in the presence of
Tanzania Scout Association’s Chief Commissioner, Mr. Abdulkarim Shah;
the SAZ’s Head of Contingent to Bright Nyabadza, invited all Scouts and
friends of Scouts in Africa and the world to Harare in March 2018.
We wish them well in the preparations
and hope that you will all join us for another opportunity to showcase
and celebrate our achievements as a movement and promote the “spirit of
world kinship, cooperation and mutual assistance amongst Scout
Organizations within the Region.”
11 March 2017, Arusha-Tanzania:The
Arusha International Conference Centre in Tanzania hosted over 800
Scouts and Scouters, who gathered to mark this year’s Africa Scout Day
celebrations. The occasion was graced Hon. Prof. Joyce Ndalichako,
Minister for Education Science & Technology and President of
Tanzania Scouts Association as Chief Guest. Also present were government
officials of the United Republic of Tanzania, diplomats and friends of
Scouting.
The audience at the celebrations was
drawn from the following countries: Angola, Belgium, Benin, Botswana,
Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark,
Ethiopia, Ghana, Italy, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Nigeria, Poland,
Senegal, South Africa, Korea, Spain, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda and
Zimbabwe.
The speakers who addressed the gathering
gave some historical background of the day and its significance to
Scouting. They went on to demonstrate the huge impact that Scouting and
continues to make in Africa and around the world.
The Regional Director, Frederic Tutu
Kama-Kama made a special recognition of Mr. Frederic Peter Nguma, the
International Commissioner for Tanzania Scouts Association for the key
role he has played in stabilizing the Scouting in Tanzania over the last
7 years. He also presented a token of appreciation to the Chairman of
the World Scout Committee, Joao Armando in recognition of his service to
World Scouting.
Dr. Wayne Adrian Davies, Chairperson of
the Africa Scout Committee underscored the importance of this day
observing it as a great recognition by African Governments. “We thank
the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania for the tremendous
support to the hosting of this event and to Scouting in the country in
general. We further call on all governments to continue supporting
Scouting because of the values and skills training it imparts in our
young people,” he said.
The Chairperson of the World Scout
Committee, Joao Armando in his remarks highlighted the vision of World
Scouting and the global social impact of the movement. He further called
upon the Scouts to recruit their friends, family members, and
colleagues to join the movement saying, “we have a vision to reach 100
million members by 2023 and use to our numbers to impact our communities
positively. This can only be made possible by – the Scouts – who
already know the values of our movement.”
Hon. Gabriel Fabian, the Deputy Regional
Commissioner for Arusha, who had earlier graced the opening ceremony of
the Africa Scout Day International Youth Camp commended the movement
for standing in the gap to mend the moral fabric of society that is
slowly being eroded away with the increasing engagement in drug and
substance abuse by young people.
On here part, the Chief Guest, was
pleased to note the training and character building programmes that the
Scout movement offers to young people. She said that the Government of
the United Republic of Tanzania has made it compulsory for Scouting to
run in all primary, secondary, tertiary schools and universities in the
country. “if you we do not give young people an opportunity to
participate in educational programmes that help to make them better
people – like Scouting, then what do we expect them to do?” she asked to
a rousing round of applause by the audience.
The Chief Scout of Tanzania, Hon.
Mwantumu Bakari Mahiza moved a hearty vote of thanks appreciating all
those who played a part in making the event successful. She concluded by
inviting everyone to the centenary celebration of Scouting in Tanzania
which will be held June in Dodoma. The next Africa Scout Day
celebrations will be hosted by Scout Association of Zimbabwe in March
2018.
11 March 2017: Arusha – Tanzania:The Africa Scout Foundation has today recognized the following eight new contributors:
1. Jeremy Naivasha – Platinum (individual category)
2. Mathias Wanyela – Silver (individual category)
3. Polish Scouting and Guiding Association – Platinum (NSO category)
4. Korea Scouts Association – Platinum (NSO category)
5. Eline Kitaly – Bronze (individual category)
6. Rashid Mchatta – Bronze (individual category)
7. Abdulkarim Shah – Bronze (individual category)
8. Mwantumu Mahiza – Bronze (individual category)
1. Jeremy Naivasha – Platinum (individual category)
2. Mathias Wanyela – Silver (individual category)
3. Polish Scouting and Guiding Association – Platinum (NSO category)
4. Korea Scouts Association – Platinum (NSO category)
5. Eline Kitaly – Bronze (individual category)
6. Rashid Mchatta – Bronze (individual category)
7. Abdulkarim Shah – Bronze (individual category)
8. Mwantumu Mahiza – Bronze (individual category)
Speaking at the All Africa Scout Day
Celebrations in Arusha, Tanzania the Chairperson of the Africa Scout
Foundation Board, Prof. Dr. Maggie Kigozi, thanked them for their
sparing their resources to support Scouting.
She also took time to highlight the role
of the Foundation and invited all Africans to join the Foundation in
the different categories provided. As priorities for the Foundation, the
Chair said that the Foundation is currently fundraising for two major
regional projects namely; development of new office facilities for the
World Scout Bureau Africa Support Centre and the Nyeri International
Scout Centre, in Kenya.
“The Foundation is ours. I invite all of
us to contribute and support Scouting in Africa through contributions
to different projects, said Prof. Maggie.
For more information about the Foundation please visit www.scout.org/africascoutfoundation.
Hon. Salim Ahmed Salim Honoured
Scouts from all over the world who
converged at the Arusha International Conference Centre to mark the
Africa Scout Day witnessed the recognition of Hon. Salim Ahmed Salim for
his leadership that lead to the establishment of the Africa Scout Day.
Hon. Salim was the Secretary General of the Organization of African
Unity (now African Union) when Resolution 1607 of the Council of
Ministers that recognized Scouting contribution to the development of
Africa and created the Africa Scout Day was passed.
Since the resolution in 1995, Hon. Salim
has been a great supporter and benefactor of Scouting in the United
Republic of Tanzania. What a befitting occasion to celebrate his
significant contribution to Scouting!
Gallant Scout Olympic Hero Honoured
John Stephen Akhwari, perhaps a little
know name, was treated to a standing ovation and huge round of applause
by the delegations present at the Africa Scout day celebrations in
Arusha.
His is a story of a Tanzanian Olympic
hero who did not win any medal, finished last, but competed with pride
and courage, doing his best to reach the finish line no matter what.
Akhwari’s inspirational story goes back
to 1968 Mexico City, during Summer Olympics. He had not trained at such
an altitude back in Tanzania. Almost halfway through the 42 kilometers
race he was hit, had a horrible fall, hurt his head, damaged his knee,
and endured a trampling before he could get back on his feet. Despite
his injuries, Akhwari pressed on and continued despite being asked by
the medical staff to quit. He went on to finish the race.
Why did he continue to race if he was so
badly injured? John Stephen Akhwari said this: “My country did not send
me over 11,000 kilometers to start a race. They sent me over 11,000
kilometers to finish one.” John attributes this courage and resilience
to his Scout training that gave him the strength. It is for this reason
that Tanzania Scouts Association saw it fit to recognize his gallantry
and for staying true to Scout values even in the midst of all odd, and
as a motivation to young people.
Photo credits: Kondrad Kmieć, Polish Scouting and Guiding Association (ZHP)
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