While schools, parents and friends may encourage, even push young people to give Scouting a try, ultimately, it must be up to the boy to decide to join and make a personal commitment. He must have experienced Scouting in action and have understood the law. He should be free to leave. Motivation to stay must come from within him.

The fact that Scouting simply asks each young person to do his or her best is central to progression. There is no competitive tests, no ranking according to who did better or worse. The only competition is with oneself. Not only does this help to reduce the fear of competition/comparison and of failure. It develops deeper relationships.

Greetings fellow Scouters, we at Fire-Light believe the greatest causes of failure in human beings is taking everything for granted. Humans think and believe that the sun, rain, friends, family, etc is our right. We never take the time to thank God and our fellowmen, for their presence, comfort and love.

Perhaps it is the same with Scouting. Do we ever take time to thank the people that help Scouting to happen or do we merely take them for granted. Do we acknowledge their good works or do we ponder on their weaknesses. It’s easy for them to cripple Scouting. They just stop coming. So brother Scouts whatever Leaders you have in your section show that you appreciate them. Don’t ask for the sky, the last thing that Scouting requires is a perfectionist. Finally learn to trust.

For many, Scouting is a sanctuary from the stresses and confusion in this life. So let us all join hands in making it a movement worthy of staying in.

On a different note, in order to inject new ideas in Fire-Light we welcome Joli Jolly Mathe and Percy Mhangwa as reporters. They take over from Ntokozo Ncube, and Gary Mushaya, whose contracts with Fire-Light ended on 31 December 2000 and Francis Zvigo who resigned due to pressure of work. A million thanks to the three Scouters who gave many hours of hard work, burning the midnight candle to make things happen at Fire-Light "Siyabonga bafethu".

Finally I recently had the privilege of visiting the Scout Training Camps in South Africa, Gilflorida in Johannesburg and Gilglen in Pretoria, while both are excellent Camps for Leader training, I believe when it comes to Boy Scout Camps, our Gordon Park is miles ahead, and I believe we have every reason to be proud. Thank you Norman Scott for a job well done!

God Bless.

It was indeed very gratifying to see over three hundred Cubs, Scouts and Leaders in camp for our annual B-P Camp held from 23 to 25 February 2001. This was despite the current fuel shortage, high cost of food and the heavy rains we experienced in the weeks leading up to the camp. Well done to you all, obviously Scouting is giving you what you want and you are prepared to put some effort into your Scouting.

I would like to congratulate the following who received awards on the Sunday during the Baden-Powell Day service.

Mr Edward Hall Scout Leader : 8^th Bulawayo (Hillside)

Mrs Mavis Sakala Lay supporter

Mrs Ndlelenhle Thodlana Scout Leader : 15^th Bulawayo

(Milton Junior) Scout Troop

Scout Moses Mbebe 66^th Bulawayo (St. Columbas

Scout Group

For your information the Scout shop has the new Cub Scout Target in stock as well as the progress badges for Discoverer, Adventurer, Explorer and Scout Cord, for the Scout section Unfortunately the Scout Trail is not available nor is it available from the Harare Scout Shop. Belts are also out of stock as the company that were making them has closed down and the Shop is yet to find another manufacturer. We no sooner find one manufacturer of our equipment when another one closes down. So if you cannot get what you are requiring, please be patient, as the Manager of the shop will be trying to find another supplier. Another problem being encountered is that costs of items are continually rising, so although the Scout Shop made a profit last year, it is soon absorbed into replenishing stocks when next they are ordered.

The Adult Leader Training Team has been very active this year. Courses have been conducted at Provincial Headquarters, Gordon Park and Hwange. All the courses have been well attended and participation, in the main, by the candidates has been of a good standard. In training our Scout and Cub Scout Leaders, the Training Team is doing its duty. It is up to those who have undergone training to utilize their new skills in making Scouting that much more interesting for the Cubs and Scouts in their care.

On the National, Regional and International calendars there are some camps to consider. During August our National Headquarters will be hosting the National Millennium Camp at Chinziwa Park, Mutare. The cost of the camp will be $600.00 plus transport to get there.

In December SANJAM 2001 will be held at the Vaal Dam Gauteng in South Africa. The cost of this event including transport will be $10 000.00. For more details contact Ntokozo Ncube. Then the big one, is the 20^th World Scout Jamboree in Thailand which will be held in December 2002/January 2003. The estimated cost to attend this event is $100 000.00. The Jamboree coordinator will need to know fairly soon if you are interested in attending as planning for attending World Jamborees has to be started a few years in advance.

Well, there you have it. Some good quality Scouting being undertaken by you right here in Province with opportunities for National, Regional and International events in the future for you to think about and possibly to plan to attend.

History was made when for the first time, the Annual Uniform Competition was not held at the Mpopoma Scout Hall but instead the Scouts graced the McDonald Hall in Mzilikazi. The Hall grounds were a buzz with khaki uniforms, in turn attracting a lot of spectators from the neighbourhood. In many ways this was a great effort in publicizing and marketing Scouting in the Province.

The final results were as follows:-

1 50^th Bulawayo 66^th St Columbas

Many thanks to the organizers and a big bravo to 1^st Mzingwane and 1^st Hwange for making the trip to Bulawayo.

The role of the adult leader is to facilitate the development of each young person through:

• Presenting to them what Scouting can offer them, how it works and what is expected in return.

• Helping them to become familiar with all of the elements of the Scout Method – and to make sure that it is used. This includes everything from the code of living in the group, personal progression, how the Scout unit functions as an association of teams, responsibilities to be shared, what the adult leader is prepared to assume, and what the young people are going to need to deal with themselves, etc etc.

• Observing and reacting to the group dynamics so as to maintain a welcoming, constructive and motivating atmosphere.

• Developing a leadership style that is a balance between friendship (to encourage them) and authority ( to get them back on track). The adult leader is not an army general or a company president giving orders to be obeyed – he or she needs to encourage ideas, initiative and decision-making. At the same time, he or she is an adult with responsibility for the physical and emotional security of all concerned and for ensuring that each young person progresses in the direction of Scouting’s educational proposal. He or she cannot, therefore, abdicate from the role of adult leader. The balance between friendship and authority will depend largely on the level of maturity of the young people at a given time and in a given situation. It is up to the adult leader to judge an appropriate balance.

• Providing support to each young person and to the group as a whole. The adult leader needs to be able to make use of his or her knowledge of each young person to help to find ways in which the young person can progress, while bearing in mind how to integrate the young person’s interests and educational objectives in what the group as a whole wants, and is able, to achieve. The more the group is able to achieve, the more each young person benefits.

Information Exchange : April 1999

World Scout Bureau

Adult Resources Service Section

Over 60 Cubs and Scouts converged at Milton Junior School for the Annual Provincial Sports Day. The Scouts took part in games such as athletics, soccer, cool drink drinking race, which was the greatest attraction. Remember scouting aims to develop boys physically and the sports day did just that.

Well done to all the groups who excelled, to those who didn’t make it, better luck next time.

Many thanks to Robert "Sayina" Ndlovu for organizing such an enjoyable event.

O’ Great Spirit,

Whose voice I hear in the winds.

And whose breath gives life to all the world,

Hear me, I am small and weak, I need your

Strength and wisdom.

Let me walk in beauty, and make my eyes

Ever behold the red and purple sunset.

Make my hands respect the things you have

Made and my ears sharp to hear your voice.

Make me wise so that I may understand the

Things you have taught my people.

Let me learn the lessons you have hidden in every rock.

I seek strength, not to be greater than my

Brother, but to fight my greatest enemy – myself.

Make me always ready to come to you with

Clean hands and straight eyes.

So when life fades, as the fading sunset,

My spirit may come to you without shame.

Combined introductory Course : 24 – 25 March 2001

Four members of the Matabeleland Training team, set out for the Dusty Mining Town of Hwange to conduct a Combined Introductory Course (C.I.C).

We were met at the Provincial Showgrounds (Course Venue) by the Hwange District Commissioner Mr Patrick Njamba. Ten participants attended the Course whose content covered the following among other items: the fundamentals of Scouting, the Scout Method, the Patrol System, Games and how to run a Scout Group.

Thanks to those who participated.

Greetings fellow Scouts, its been a long time since you heard from me. Well, tell you what I have been busy, just like all of you!

I am reliably informed that the concept of your "Value Added Scouting" went on well. Perhaps the winners of this year’s Assegai could be sent to Brownsea Island, where Scouting originated.

Training seems to be at its peak in your Province, with three courses down the line. Your training team means business, but I believe there is need for them to make a follow up on the people they have trained.

So what happened to the reshuffle and new appointments we were promised? Up here we saw that as a way forward for Scouting. Only we don’t have time. If we did we would give you our proposals. But then again "Uncle" has everything under control.

It was pleasing to see most of you at the Annual General Meeting chaired by that fine gentleman, indeed a humble man, whose role is pivotal in the development of Scouting. "Thank you your honour" So the electrician made the Scout Promise and received a warrant out of uniform ----- well, well how things change!!!

Our most heartfelt condolence on the loss of Robert Sibanda indeed a Scouter of a very high order. We regarded him as a technician in Scouting. Rover Scouts you are on your own now! May his soul rest in peace.

While we regard your Province highly under the guidance of Norman, we believe you need to formulate a Provincial vision i.e. A Five year plan.

Do you still have the Trade Fair Scramble? Well remember the 1^st Gilwell Scout Troop. I suggest you form the 1^st Trade Fair Scout Troop under the leadership of Bhudi, it will only operate for seven days.

By the way what has happened to Irvin, would someone, please kindly relight his flame.

We look forward to hearing from all of you, our address is BPScout@Avurorg.

Your friend

Soon it will be the special day for our Patron Saint. I wonder how many of you Cub Scouts (or Cub Scout Leaders for that matter) know who is the patron Saint of Scouting? Maybe I can give you a clue, he is also the Patron Saint of England. Have you guessed? Yes it is Saint

George. Maybe you have heard the legend about him killing the dragon. We really do not know if that was a true story. But we do know he was a Roman soldier and a Christian. He was tortured because of his belief and no doubt he was a man of great bravery, who met his difficulties and overcame them by the cheerful and spirited way he set out to deal with them. So St George is a very good Patron saint for all Scouts to have. He was also adopted as the patron Saint of cavalry because he was the only horseman Saint. ‘Cavalry’ is the name for soldiers who are the horse riding unit of the army.

St George also had a flag named after him, it is a white flag with a red cross, similar to the one you see on First Aid Boxes and used by the Red Cross Society. It is now part of the flags which make up the British flag, which is called the Union Jack.

The Union Jack is made up of three flags besides the Flag of St George, there are the flags of St Andrew and Saint Patrick. I will give a prize to any Cub Scouts who can write and tell me which country Saint Andrew and Saint Patrick represent.

St George has a special day, which is celebrated in England on April 23. We are going to have a special service to celebrate this day, but it will be on Sunday 22 April and it will be held this year at Saint John’s Anglican Cathedral at 12.00 noon. Do try and come and bring your own Flag – representing your Pack or Troop.

Flags are good things and we should be proud of them and respect them, sometimes they represent our country. This is why it is a special moment when we ‘hoist’ the flag, this is when we pull the flag to the top of the flag pole. The ceremony is called FLAGBREAK. The Cub Scout who is hoisting the flag then takes a step back and salutes the flag and all the Cubs and Akela salute at the same time.

In the old days when Knights went to war on horseback, it was a great honour to carry the flag or ‘colour’ as it was called. The soldier did his best to carry the flag high and not let it down into the mud, even if he was injured or dying.

Sometimes we say ‘We must keep the flag flying’ we mean we should ‘DO OUR BEST’ for a certain thing, so let’s all Keep The Flag Flying for our Scouting.

There are Leaders the people FEAR

There are Leaders the people HATE

There are Leaders the people LOVE

But when the best Leaders of

All have finished their work,

The people say, "we did it ourselves"