AN ESHOWE scout has achieved the highest level in the scouting movement in South Africa by earning his Springbok badge.
Mathew du Toit, a pupil at the eShowe High School, is the first Springbok scout to come from eShowe.
The last scout to achieve this level in eShowe received the Queen’s scout award in 1959.
The Springbok badge concentrates on teaching the scout how to give back to the community.
The Springbok is the equivalent of the UK’s Queen’s Scout and the American Eagle Scout levels, but the requirements are much tougher than the Eagle Scout and slightly more diverse than the Queen’s Scout criteria.
Among the requirements are that the scout must complete at least 40 hours of community service (Eagle Scout is six hours), plan and lead a hike of over 30 kilometres in unfamiliar territory (not required by the Eagle scout), and plan and construct a large pioneering project (not required for Eagle scout).
The scout must also plan and run a full troop camp of three days or more.
He must also plan, cook and serve a three-course meal on an open fire.
The last hurdle is a full panel interview in Durban.
All these activities are evaluated and scored by nationally appointed examiners.
Mathew started Cubs at the age of eight and worked his way through the various advancement levels.
This award is 10 years in the making, a long time to commit to any one activity.
