In the second term, several parents got involved in our adult leader team in the Meerkat Den, Cub Pack and Scout Troop. Being an adult leader as a parent or grandparent is a fantastic way to be involved in your child’s activities and to help build the community at 1st Claremont.
Njabulo Ndlovu – Meerkat Leader
My journey to becoming a Meerkat leader was inspired by my son, Khaya, as he wanted to spend more quality time together through meaningful activities. Although there’s no history of Scouting in our family and I had no prior experience working with the Meerkat age group, I bring valuable experience from my past as a voluntary youth worker.
At Beth Uriel, a home for young men, I helped connect youth with the outdoors through various activities. I also continue to volunteer as an online mentor for young people through the Infinity Family initiative. My involvement is driven by a genuine passion for community building and youth engagement, and a commitment to raising active.I am proud to be part of the 1st Claremont Scout Group and am excited to support the young Meerkats in the den and to learn from them along the way.
Hewson family – Cub and Scout Leaders
This term, Karen Hewson joined our Cub team and Oliver Hewson joined our Scout team, so their whole household are now officially involved as adult leaders.
I am Riki Tiki Tavi, one of the newest Assistant Pack Scouters. My son, Oliver, and husband, Fraser, are both Assistant Troop Scouters. Oliver joined as a Cub 11 years ago and Fraser, along with Ian Webb, runs the Senior Cub Camp.
Last year when I volunteered at the Senior Cub Camp in October I met so many amazing Cub Leaders and Scout Assistants. The Scout Program offers just as much opportunity to learn and grow for adults as it does for the kids. The Adult Training courses are jam-packed with useful knowledge and all the volunteers are amazing.
The best part is I can have more fun with my family now that we are all part of the Scouting community.
Nick Hall – Scout Leader
The Galvao Hall family are veteran Scouts and they were there on Friday 13 June for Isabel’s investiture as a Cub at 1st Claremont, where she was previously a Meerkat. Mom Bruna (Hathi) is a Cub leader, Dad Nick (Fox) has just moved from the Meerkat Den to return to our Scout Troop, aunt Becca (Galago) is a Meerkat leader, big sister Micaela is a Cub, and granny Jane is a proud supporter! Also remembering grandpa Andrew Hall who was very active in Scouting in Gauteng and Nationally.
I am Nick “Fox” Hall, I did my scouting as a child in at 9th Benoni, up in Gauteng where I got my Springbok Scout and formed part of the SA contingent to Thailand for the World Scout Jamboree in 2002. When I moved to Cape Town to study I joined 1st Claremont as an ATS in 2008, I became Troop Scouter in 2010. I continued to TS until 2015 when my first child was born. I rejoined 1st Claremont in 2019 as the Den Scouter to start the Meerkat Den, where I became Assistant Den Scouter in 2021. My first Meerkat is now in Scouts and many more will be comin through in the coming years, and a bunch of my former scouts from my time as TS are now also adult leaders. I’m looking forward to rejoining the Scout Troop as ATS!
My wife Bruna is an APS with the cubs (Hathi), my sister Becca is ADS (Galago) with the Meerkats, and my two daughters, Isabel and Micaela are not both in Cubs.
Jaco Ferreira and Brent Johnson – Cub leaders
Two more parents joined our Cub leader team earlier, but we have not featured them before now. Jaco was previously a Meerkat leader and has moved to the Cub Pack along with his son Terran. Brent has also joined the Cub Pack team, transferring from 3rd Pinelands along with his children Declan and Abigail.
Sebastian Hammond – Boksburg Scouter
My name is Sebastian Hammond, I am 19 years old, and currently a first-year student studying marine biology and ocean and atmosphere sciences at UCT. I have been a part of the Scouting movement since I was about 8 years old. I joined 1st Boksburg as a cub, and then moved to 2nd Boksburg in Scouts, where I had remained for the entirety of my Scouting career. I attended the 2023 World Scout Jamboree in South Korea and had the time of my life. In my time as a Scout, I achieved my first-class advancement just before aging out, and I attended 65th Gilten PLTU. I love the way Scouts creates a sense of family and belonging, and gifts you with skills that are not taught at school. I have always loved learning new things as well as teaching skills and imparting survival, leadership, and scouting knowledge that I have been lucky enough to learn.
I come from Boksburg, on the East Rand of Gauteng, where I stayed with my younger brother, mom, and dad. I love hiking, and anything to do with the outdoors (and animals, any and all kinds). I have a Level 3 first aid qualification, and I have always had a love of helping others, I was the head of the first aid committee at my school and attended most games and tournaments as the first aider in charge. I also love reading. I read many kinds of books, from horror and true crime to romance, fiction, and at times, non-fiction. I also love writing, usually horror and the darker genres. (So yes, I am and always have been a bit of a nerd).
Western Cape Adult Leader Awards
In May, leaders from 1st Claremont were recognised at the annual Western Cape Region Adult Leader Awards.
Jonathan Webb received his 20 Year Service award, and Susan Gammon received her 10 Year Service award. The 1st Claremont fundraising team received a Commendation. Daniel le Jeune and Fraser Hewson received the Certificate of Merit, and Jonathan Webb received the Medal of Merit. Elton le Roux (who began as a leader at 1st Claremont before moving to 4th Claremont) received his 5 Year Service award and a Commendation.
An appeal to get involved
1st Claremont is only as strong as its leadership, all of whom come from our own community. We would love you to get involved. If you would like to take on a role in the group, please speak to your unit leader (Judith Bishop, Lucy du Toit or Simon Bean) or to our Scout Group Leader (Ian Webb). We are particularly in need of additional Meerkat leaders to support Judith and Njabulo – ideally we need a team of four or more adults in the Meerkat Den.
