In 2003, Nkululeko ‘Nkulu’ Majola began her Scouting journey as a Cub in the village of Shiluvani in Limpopo, thanks to her mom Elizabeth Mabuza’s involvement through Keep The Dream 196. Now, 20 years later, she’s made history as the 1st Rover BP Award recipient from her area and serves as the Chair: National Cub Programme for SCOUTS South Africa.
“I joined the Scout Movement as a child when my mother was – and still is – a Scouter through the partnership with local NGO ‘Keep The Dream 196’. Even though I was a child, I could see how the programme was impacting my life. I was only a Cub for a year before I went up to Scouts and that is where I realised that I was behaving differently than many other children in my community. When you start living by the Scout Promise and Law, you become trustworthy, respectful and likeable. Not only by your peers and family members, but also in the community. The way my community members started responding to me was different because of how I was behaving as a Scout. I developed good manners and learnt to communicate with respect, and this had a big impact on my schoolwork too and how my teachers would view me. It was also clear that my character was developing and that I was learning a lot of other skills like leadership, first aid, mapwork, planning, perseverance, and pioneering – where I learnt more than just ropes and knots”, she says with a smile.
Nkulu & mom Elizabeth
“As you grow through the Scout programme you realise that it prepares you for the life you want going forward. The main thing I learnt as a Scout was self-awareness. The Scout programme, but also training like PLTC, LDC and the Patrol System itself encourage you to reflect on your aims and style as a leader. I learnt that I am an emotional leader and by getting the chance to lead I was able to identify my weaknesses and strengths. The Scout programme also guided me in finding my career path as after the First Aid course I knew the medical route was not for me! I enjoyed the community service we did and working with people, and that was the route I eventually took. I am now a Social Worker and work in the communities where I grew up. In fact, my community still sees me as the reliable, respectful and likeable Scout I once was, you see if you live by the Scout Promise and Law as a child, the values become part of you and no matter your age, you are just a Scout.”
When Nkulu turned 18 she joined the Rover programme, and also stepped into uniform as a member of the ‘KDT196’ team as RTC Cubs for Limpopo. There was a time where she had to balance her studies, her Rover journey and volunteering. “I believe that if every child – regardless of where they live – would be a Scout, there would be no more drugs and crime within our communities. That is what drove me to volunteer while Rovering and studying. The hardest part was juggling academics as a university student and Scouting. I would say that the Rover programme was instrumental in helping me manage everything. If I look at the ‘Rover Bars’ that one aims to achieve in the programme, the one that stood out the most was the ‘Personal Bar’ as it requires you to challenge yourself. I mean you just finished Matric and want to uplift yourself and the Rover Personal Bar guides you through that period. It requires you to challenge yourself and to take steps to personally empower yourself. If you follow the programme, you learn and achieve a lot! With planning, pushing out of my comfort zone, and not being afraid of what I wanted to achieve I graduated from University and achieved my BP Award. I incorporated the requirements into my studies to make sure there was balance between the two. So, I could still serve the Movement, work on myself and study. Even though I have now aged out of Rovers, I still apply the learnings of the ‘Personal Bar’ to my life.”
Nkulu is currently the Chair: National Cub programme and a Manco member of SCOUTS South Africa” As a young person I had a dream, and when the need arose for somebody to step up for the National Cub role, I was able to bring SCOUTS SA’s dream and mine together. I was a little doubtful at first whether I could do it but was then reminded of how as the RTC Cubs for Limpopo I could bring about change, so I went for it. I have always seen how the programme changes lives, and how, with the help of Jeanette Angus, I was able to adapt the Cubs resources to suit children in rural communities too, like for example instead of using colourful balls we would use colourful plastic bags from various retailers, and so on. Once we did it for Limpopo, there was no reason why it could not be done for other Regions too. I am passionate about Cubbing, and it is very important that our Cubs have a great experience. The children in our communities are innocent and the world is often painted in a bad way, if we can show our Cubs that they can learn while having fun and being safe, this knowledge and passion can help them be great Scouts who know their values and who will carry their positive experiences and serving hearts with them to adulthood. By being on the National team, I am able to share my dream, which is to enable every 7-year-old child to be happy in a Pack and experience a positive learning environment. This ties into SCOUTS SA’s dream to grow and to equip and prepare young people to become good citizens and the best version of themselves.
When it comes to us as volunteers, there is no one size fits all. Each person is different and brings different things to the table. None of us are perfect, but we are doing our best. When applying for a National role I was nervous and was not sure if I was adequate enough. I’m from a small village, I don’t speak perfect English, I haven’t done my 4 beads, and I was not a Regional Commissioner, yet I went for it, and I am now so grateful. It has not always been an easy road, but it has been worthwhile. SCOUTS South Africa’s Manco is just like a Patrol! You learn by doing, by asking questions, by being mentored and supported by our leaders. You learn and deal with challenges as they come your way and there is always someone to guide you. I am also very grateful for the amazing Regional Team Coordinators Cubs as I have grown and learnt so much from working with them.
Nkulu and Thabiso Majola
I would encourage more young people to apply as we should definitely have more young people in these types of leadership roles. If we don’t have young people coming up to learn from us and to take our Manco and Movement forward, then how can we ensure our continuation and succession? When the next call for a National role comes out, young people I urge you to apply. You will learn on the job, there is support with handover and it’s only fear that is holding you back! Fear is the only weakness that stops us from achieving our full potential. I was scared, and now I am enjoying what I am doing. Once you conquer your fears in Scouting, in work and in life, there is nothing you can’t do!”