Junior Kathe is an ATS in the troop who has been active since 2019. He joined the troop in 2012 just after the Nyan Cat KonTiki.
Junior and I went through scouts together, and unfortunately his time at 1st Claremont is coming to an end. He has accepted a job in Dubai as a chef, and is scheduled to leave the country by the end of October.
This article is a brief interview with him, to get to know him and hear what he has to say about his time as a scout and scouter.
D: So let’s start right at the beginning. Why did you join scouts?
J: Every day we would drive past the 1st Claremont Hall, and at one point my parents suggested that I should join. I went to one meeting on a Thursday (back then there were maybe 16 scouts) and I really enjoyed it. Swifts was the girls patrol, Chris and Liam were in Boks, you (Daniel) were in Eagles with Andrew and Michael was in Bats with Luke.
D: Do you have any memories of something memorable happening during your time as a scout?
J: I think like a memorable experience was going on competitions, spending time with the people I had known for a while, and making memories like that.
J: I don’t think I have a specific memory, but if I had to choose one, I would say it was my first hike. I knew nothing and I overpacked. I showed up to Kasteelspoort with a tog bag filled with KFC. I definitely felt a bit out of my comfort zone, but it was good.
D: How would you say being a scout has influenced you, both personally and professionally?
J: Basically, I think being a scout and still being in school you are always like one step ahead of the average student in the classroom, cause you basically know twice as much in terms of basic skills, like first aid, reading a map, …
J: That came in useful when we did stuff like Geography, for the map reading. First aid was useful at like sports matches, where people would faint and you would know how to treat the person and what to look out for.
J: It also just taught me to kind of be a leader in some places in life, and to know how to teach others what I’ve learnt and what they don’t know. Basic life skills, etc.
D: So, you’ve been an adult leader for 5 years now. What has been the most rewarding part of that?
Probably working with young people. It’s quite cool, especially when you don’t have children yourself. It definitely teaches you to be more patient, and more aware of how children think. It definitely sets you up to be more ready to have children later in life. Working with children is definitely the best part.
D: Do you have any particular moments you can recall where you were proud of something you did in scouts?
Not really, but I do remember people like you and others who have achieved springbok… Having helped and contributed to those people’s journeys… Having helped there and put so much effort in… I think although knowing I didn’t achieve it but helping other people achieve it, it makes me happy.
D: What would you say to people who don’t want to get their Springbok?
J: Personally to me, it’s not a big deal. You don’t have to strive to be number one. We basically all learnt the same stuff along the way. It’s definitely not for everyone. Whatever you learn at any point in scouts is still valuable. It’s not always the be-all and end-all to get your Springbok.
D: What advice would you give to scouts in the troop?
J: I’d mostly say just take it slow, and remember that if you have fun – having fun comes first. If you’re not having fun, it doesn’t make sense to continue. If you ensure you’re enjoying what you’re doing, if you strive to be yourself and you try to accomplish everything you want to to whatever standard you can, things will fall into place.
D: Tell us about your career and new Job!
J: After school, I went on to study at Silwood School of Cooking to become a chef. I didn’t really know if I wanted to go into it. It’s one of those things I tried out in scouts, and I liked cooking. After matric, I tried narrowing it down to things I liked. I did cooking for 3 years, during which I did my internships at some of the best fine dining restaurants in Cape Town. After my 3rd year, I got to choose to work at the Pier restaurant in the Waterfront. I graduated at the Pier Restaurant in 2022, after which I worked around restaurants in Cape Town to gain some experience. In 2021 I got the opportunity to travel to Saudi Arabia. I saw an advert that they were looking for chefs to cook for the F1. It was a whole experience.
J: Having worked in South Africa for quite a while, as I young chef I kind of got bored. I want to travel the world and experience new places. I have gotten the opportunity to go to Dubai, and hopefully this will be the start of my career as an international chef.
[Some of the restaurants Junior worked at:
- La Colombe
- Foxcraft
- Chef’s Warehouse
- Potluck Club
]
D: Are you planning on coming back to visit?
J: I do plan on coming back – scouting has been a big part of my career. In the future I would like to come back and really solidify Cape Town as my home base.
J : Good luck to those who are aiming to get their Springbok badge, and congrats to Holly who is getting hers in the new term! Thank you to everyone who has contributed to my scouting career – it’s been quite a journey. It’s not the end, and I will be back.
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I am personally very sad to see Junior go, having essentially grown up with him. I wish him all the best in his adventures and endeavours. Junior, I hope you know that you will be sorely missed, and that I am so grateful for everything you have done for the troop.
If anyone would like to remain in contact with Junior, I will happily provide an email address, Instagram handle, etc.
Daniel le Jeune
