2009 Celebrates 100 Years of Scouting in Zimbabwe
 
- 1909 -  - 2009 -
Matopos Mumblings
Special Newsletter for
Centenary Camp at
Gordon Park, Matopos
Saturday 8 August 2009 | ISSUE 1
From the Provincial Commissioner
Welcome, samukele, titambire, On behalf of Matabeleland Province, the pride of
Scouting let me extend a warm welcome to all our visitors from the length and
breath of this country. It is my sincere hope that you will indeed find your
stay worthwhile here in the Matopos, a place where Lord Baden Powell
described as:
“In the midst of this wild country, with its baboon and leopards and its
vision of past battles fought amid these kopjies I was suddenly faced with
a sign board “Gordon Park. Training Ground of the Boy Scouts Association”.
Here! The Wildest among many jungles I have seen in different
parts of the world was a truly lovely Backwoods Camping Ground.”
In welcoming you I
wish to appreciate
and acknowledge the
efforts and commitment
of many individuals
who have
gone out of their
way to prepare the
facilities so that our
stay can be comfortable
as ever. In particular
I wish to express
my appreciation
to Norman Scott, the Camp Commissioner our camp host, who has
worked tirelessly to prepare this camping ground. A big thanks also goes
to the 1st Pioneer who together with other Scouts within the Province
gave up many weekends.
Finally remember Scouting is fun and if its not fun then its not Scouting.
An opportunity has been created for you to have fun, grab it and experience
the beauty of Scouting.
B Ndebele (Provincial Scout Commissioner)
Matabeleland.
Scouts Centenary Theme
Song
Celebration !
100 years in Scouting (NDEYEDU)
Scouting movement (NGEYETHU)
Scouting movement (NGEYETHU)
Nkosi sikeleli Scouting Movement
Scouting Celebrations of Centenary
10 20 30 50 60 70 80 90 100 ! ! !
Celebrations 100 years Scouting
Celebrations 100 years Scouting
Come Together!
Come together Come Together
Camp together
Camp together
Hundred years of Scouting
Hundred years of Scouting
Centenary 100 years of Scouting
BRAVO! ! !
Compiled by
(Bravo) K F Mukaro
Some of the members of the Service Team
Time to sit down and relax after the long and
tiresome day. The Service Team got here late
Tuesday for this Big Gathering.
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The notice board:
- 1. Opening parade
11:00 Saturday 08 August 2009
- 2 Centenary Service
St Georges Chapel
12:00 noon Sunday 09 August 2009
- 3 Closing Parade
15:00 Tuesday 11 August 2009
- Water Watch
All Scouts are advised to use water sparingly
as water is pumped directly here in Gordon
Park.
- All Bases are manned by trained Leaders and
no one shall use a closed base.
- Hikers for the Fort Usher Hike are expected to
be ready by 2pm.
- Every one is invited at the braaing of the 100
foot long sausage at Skipper Knapman Training
Ground.
- Gordon Park is a litter free zone.
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Is the Pump House also Celebrating 100 years?
Do you think
you know the answer then contact the editor Crispen Ndlovu
and you might win a chance to be in the Newsletter.
Early arrivals….Robert Tradegold Group got here on Thursday
afternoon before anyone else
From the Editor
For story submissions or contributions you
can contact the News Room or the editor
Crispen Ndlovu.
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Matopos Mumblings
Special Newsletter for
Centenary Camp at
Gordon Park, Matopos
Sunday 9 August 2009 | ISSUE 2
Centenary Camp officially opened
The 2009 Zimbabwe Centenary Camp has been officially
opened by the Minister of Education, Arts, Sports and Culture,
Senator David Coltart yesterday at a colourful Scouting
ceremony. The proceedings kick started with the sound
of a kudu horn blown by Christopher of the 1st Pioneer.
The Minister was then introduced by the Acting Chief
Scout Commissioner Ignitius Kajengo. The moment that
left Scouts hearts leaping with joy was when the Minister
revealed that he was a Cub Scout at 8th Hillside. He then
urged the Scouts to value the heroes holidays as this is a national
event. He was then taken for a tour of Gordon Park
by Norman Scott and journalists before proceeding for
lunch at the Headquarters area.
ABOVE from left to right:- Ignitious Kajengo, Mrs Coltart, Dr David
Coltart, Bekezela Ndebele and Norman Scott.
More still coming in...
First to arrive in camp is RTS Group lead by
the ambitious young Liberty Makonese from
Matabeleland, then the Manicaland contingent
followed by Mashonaland who also
traveled for the better part of the day. The
latest to arrive on Friday was Midlands with
Commissioner Fundo leading the contingent.
They had a hard time having to deal with a
broken down bus all the way and the angry
Park Rangers at the gate. 31st Sikhulile then
arrived on Friday at around 0700hrs. We are
reliably informed that the popular Midlands
Commissioner, Mr Zulu is in Camp.
The Provincial Commissioner of Matabeleland
Mr Bekezela Ndebele came in late Friday
in the company of uMntakamama, Ntokozo
Ncube. Other important personalities to
note are Di Roberts, Provincial Scout Commissioner
Mashonaland, Mr Nelson Sakala,
Vice President Scouts of Zimbabwe and
Gogo Mrs Rosemary Moody, Training arrived
late on Thursday with the News crew.
We now have approximately 400 people in
Camp, tents and campsites are established
and the programme is underway.
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Hikers leave for Fort Usher
Two sets of hikers left
Gordon Park late yesterday
with hike leaders
Mduduzi Nyathi, Mandela,
Brian and Vusa. These
hike leaders underwent an
intensive course with the
experienced
and the senior
member of the Rovers, Edmore
Mhazo. The Fort
Usher hike covers a distance
of around 26 km all
in all. We wish them all
the best hoping that they
will make it back in time
for the Centenary Service.
Meeting the oldest..
Mrs Rosemarry Moody (background) Mr
Ken Nortje meeting the Minister
All Scouts are advised to master
the Centenary Camp Theme song
that was on yesterdays issue for
tomorrows camp fire.
“YOU KNOW WHAT David, even if you are
the Minister now you are still my Cub and I
know you will still Do Your Best for Scouting”
Norman Scott with Senator David Coltart yesterday.
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Matopos Mumblings
Special Newsletter for
Centenary Camp at
Gordon Park, Matopos
Monday 10 August 2009 | ISSUE 3
Scouts Honoured at the Centenary Service
The open air St
Georges Chapel was
filled to overflowing
with people sitting
up on rocks and under
the trees for the
special service. The
service included
Bible readings and
hymns and was conducted
by Father Martin Schupp, of St Mary’s Cathedral
Bulawayo. At the service deserving Scouts were also honoured
for their contributions to the Scout Movement.
Lay Supporters Martin Francis Sanderson, Hylton Garriock
and Derrek John FitzParick each received the highest
honour for long and dedicated service by being awarded
the Silver Elephant for their continuous dedication and
commitment to Scouting for many years. This is the highest
order of recognition in Matabeleland.
Ephraim Sibanda of the
15th Bulawayo (Milton
Junior School) joined the
worldwide Gilwell Troop
for Adult Leaders when he
was presented with his
scarf and Wood Badge.
Currently he is the Assistant
Provincial Scout Commissioner
(Travelling).
Mr. Ntokozo Ncube, the former Provincial Scout Commissioner
of Matabeleland, was awarded a long service medal
for his 15 years of service and was also presented with a
memento by the Matabeleland Scout Council for his contribution
and service to the movement. Currently he is an
inactive member of Scouting in Zimbabwe due to personal
commitments but visits the Province regularly for special
events.
Hikers return from the Fort Usher Hike
The two groups of hikers that left Gordon Park on
Saturday have returned to camp after travelling for
about 35 km. The first group to arrive was the one
led by Mduduzi and Mandela. They arrived back
in camp today at about 15:00. The group did not
encounter many challenges as they reached Fort
Usher at around 18:30. The minor problems they
had was to help the younger Scouts to carry their
rucksacks.
For many Scouts this was their first overnight hike
and they enjoyed being out in the Matopos and
hiking the areas visited by Lord Baden Powell.
The second group arrived at about 16:00 and they
also did not experience any problems except a
minor miscalculation near Nkantoli Battlefield.
This meant they missed a turn and had a small
deviation before getting back on course.
Unfortunately
none of the hikers
made their way
back in time for
the Centenary
Service. They
sacrificed a lot as
they also missed
the capture, slaying
and cooking
of the 100ft long
Ma t o p o e n s u s
Sausiagensus. This was a special treat for everyone
else who was in camp.
Another set of hikers is expected to leave tomorrow
for the Fort Usher hike.
Hikers are also going on walks to Shumba Shaba
to see the view of Gordon Park and the Mtsheleli
Valley and to see the cave paintings at White
Rhino Cave. On the path to White Rhino Cave one
group found droppings and evidence of where a
leopard had eaten a dassie and small buck.
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Activity Bases compete for attention
Scouting is unique and is augmented by the way we do our activities.
When everyone left their homes they did not expect this kind of fun
especially those that are coming here for the first time and we say to
them this is Gordon Park where dreams are turned to endeavours.
Bases opened on Saturday and
included Jumping Jupiter, Reentry
- which has recorded the
highest turn out so far, Galaxy
Crawl, Space Walk, Art and Craft
and Weightlessness. We caught
up with Prisca, one of the participants
and had this to say: “all my
life I have never seen something
like it.”
All active Scouts need food this has been provided at the Flight Food
and Pancake bases which have been very popular too.
As for the Cubs, Jumping Jupiter
has made their stay here at
Gordon Park unforgettable.
Hikes cannot be left
unmentioned as two hikes have
been done now. The first one
was after the Opening Ceremony
to Fort Usher and the second one
to the White Rhino Caves.
A special base was listening to
the voice of Lord Baden Powell
on his 80th birthday.
Additional activity bases such as
The Umbilical Cord, Escape
Hatch and Invaders will be
opened on Monday. Other bases
still to be opened include Space
Navigation and Spider’s Trap.
1st Pioneer Group—Also 100 years young!
Today the 1st Pioneer Group provided a
treat for everyone when they cut their
100 year anniversary cake. The Group
is the oldest in Zimbabwe and was registered
in 1909 as the 1st Matabeleland.
All the Scouts from the other Provinces
were given a piece of specially made
cake as part of the Birthday celebration
of the oldest Scout Group in Zimbabwe.
The Scout Leader, Norman Scott, has
been a Scout himself for more than 50
years. He started his Scouting at the 8th
Hillside Group in 1957. He succeeded
the likes of Skipper Knapman, Gerry
Barry, Clive Espline and Jim Craig and
took over the 1st Pioneer Group from
1994 to the present day.
Mutare Boys Dominate the Campfire
When you are moving around camp you are sure to hear the song of
the moment “To whom does it belong to” The song came from yesterday’s
campfire in a presentation done by the Mutare boys from
Manicaland Province. The Manicaland Provincial Scout Commissioner
ran short of words because of the exciting and ecstatic group
song. It went so well that everyone at the campfire joined in.
Midlands also set a record after giving the longest performance so
far. They also sang a song and each member of their group made a
contribution. After the campfire we spoke with Ian, Blessing and
Tatenda from the Midlands who said that this was a normal performance..
The Scouts from Bubi were not left out when they left the crowd
begging for more with their Imbube traditional dance led by uMabonda.
These Scouts are coming in for their first time.
We urge everybody to take campfires seriously and prepare their
presentations well beforehand.
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Matopos Mumblings
Special Newsletter for
Centenary Camp at
Gordon Park, Matopos
Tuesday 11 August 2009 | ISSUE 4
Closing Campfire
Of all the campfires of the Centenary Camp, last night's
was the best as we saw it being presented the old traditional
way. The campfire leader Mduduzi Mpofu, has a proven
track record of conducting the most energetic campfires in
the recent history of Gordon Park. The campfire opened
with an action song “If you are happy and you know it” this
was followed by the 8th Hillside Cub Pack with their songs
which brought back good memories to older senior Scouts.
The longest presentation record
holders, Midlands, presented a short
and sharp skit about dirty socks.
The Zimbabwe Scouting Centenary
Theme Song was performed by
John FitzPatrick and Bravo KF Mukaro
with everyone joining in. The
Manicaland Provincial Commissioner, PC Chimbarara, as
he is popularly known, then led an action song.
The oldest Group in Zimbabwe, the 1st Pioneer Group, performed
a short skit about trained horses. The climax of the
campfire was reached when William of Mashonaland performed
a traditional mbira song, Chemtengure. The performance
added to the fun and festivities as everyone
joined in singing and dancing.
The campfire was closed by
RTS Primary School Group
with a skit. Followed by a lamentation
which was sent to the
Lord with Bravo’s performance
of the song Kumbaya My
Lord before Edward closed
with a word of prayer.
Hikers Face an Angry Rhino
A set of hikers returned back to camp on Monday
having been to Fort Usher on Sunday soon after the
return of the first two groups of hikers who had
done the same route. These hikers knew what they
were going to go through from the information they
had received from the earlier groups.
The hike leaders, Eric and Colin, were the first to
leave but were stuck in the dark soon after the Moth
Shrine. They took a wrong turn and then had to consult
Edmore using their cellular phones.
After receiving instructions they then proceeded and
again soon at Nyumbane School they came across a
rhino. The rhino became enraged and chased them.
This caused the hiking group to split up only to
meet again at Rotary Peak. The group arrived at
Fort Usher at 01:30 in the morning.
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Mrs Roberts Bites the Mud!
The Mashonaland Provincial Commissioner, Mrs
Di Roberts, was knocked out yesterday during a
mud wrestling fight.
The base is one of the most popular with the
Scouts and Cubs and only opened yesterday after
lunch. Mrs Roberts inspired many senior Scouts
who later joined in after her. This included the
Rovers and Midlands Provincial Commissioner,
Mr Zulu.
The Cubs were treated to the great sight of their
leaders rolling in the mud and wrestling with each
other and other leaders. They also had the opportunity
to test their mud wrestling skills against their
leaders.
Activity Bases Continue to be Popular
The activity bases continued to keep
everyone in camp busy. In particular,
the Escape Hatch and Re-entry
bases. Space invaders saw a number
of accidents as the carts rolled down
the hill in front of the Leask.
The Pancakes and Flight Food bases also kept busy with many trying their
cooking skills and enjoying the pancakes and jam. Camp chores including
peeling potatoes and cooking meals for contingents of up to 30 people also
kept everyone busy and occupied.
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And So It All Comes to a Happy End.
The official closing ceremony of the Zimbabwe Centenary
Scout Camp was held today on the Skipper
Knapman Training Ground. The proceedings started
with the Scouts sitting forming the words Zimbabwe
Scouts 100 on the parade ground. Everyone then gathered
at the campfire circle where the Cubs performed a
special skit led by Ms Rosemary Moody. Which included
a reading by Mr Ken Nortje of the final message
from Lord Baden Powell. The final parade formed
and a tree planting ceremony took place. All the Provinces
were represented in the planting of the Indaba
Tree or Papia capensis. A presentation of a prize to the best artist was followed by a presentation of
a small token of appreciation to Mr Norman Scott for all he has done for the Centenary Camp. The
flags were lowered and the parade finally closed.
Here are the 4 .pdf files from which the above information was extracted. You can download to your pc if you want, to read up on what all happened during Zimbabwe's Centenary Scout Camp at Gordon Park:-
Matopos-Mumbling-1.pdf
Matopos-Mumbling-2.pdf
Matopos-Mumbling-3.pdf
Matopos-Mumbling-4.pdf
(You'll need Adobe pdf Reader installed on your pc to read the above 4 .pdf files).
With thanks to editor's Crispen Ndlovu and Andrew Barker and Rob McKenzie for sending them in.
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