Three scouts from the 1st Eagle troop recently had the prestigious honour of being awarded their Springbok colours.

After working hard and having to navigate the pitfalls that Covid-19 created, Amber-Jade Williams, Kyle Bevon and Johan van Wyk finally received their colours on Saturday, June 12. The 18-year-old Amber said she has been part of the scouts for the past 11 years and was introduced by a friend when her family moved to the West Rand.

She is a learner at King’s School West Rand and enjoyed the camps, hiking and first aid most. Amber believes that her time with the scouts has taught her leadership skills and how to control certain situations. When Covid-19 hit, Amber said a lot of things had to be cancelled, and although she had to finish her colours last year already, that was put on hold.

In the meantime she did wildlife courses which fit in perfectly with her plan of studying Zoology and going into veterinary science. Kyle, who also attends King’s School West Rand has been part of the scouts for the past seven years. His granddad used to go camping and hiking a lot, and joining cubs and later scouts helped him to follow in his footsteps.

The 18-year-old enjoyed the patrol systems and being able to connect with his friends most. Scouts taught him that if you fall down, you have to get up again and continue moving forward if you want to make it to the end of the road. Kyle plans on studying astrophysics and also starting a Rover Crew (the step after scouts) in the area. He said Covid-19 definitely tested friendships for him.

The last scout to get his Springbok colours was Johan van Wyk, a learner from Krugersdorp High School (KHS) who has been part of the scouts since the age of ten. He said his dad, Johan Sr did his Springbok colours years ago. When he was little the brownies did a presentation at their school, and he wanted to join – that was until he realised brownies was for girls.

He joined the scouts instead. Johan said making new friends and enjoying each other’s company at scouts taught him social skills and how to cope under pressure.

I used to be quite a nerd but they showed me how to be more sociable,” he said.

He plans on qualifying as an electrician and joining another Rover Crew for experience before helping to set up one in the area. He planned on getting his colours six months ago but Covid-19 messed up a few things; instead he focused on getting more badges.

“If you tell a scout to come up with a plan he will give you 20,” Johan laughed. Paul Hoenselaar, the scouts’ Troop Scouter, laughingly said the three gave him a lot of grey hairs but they achieved the ultimate goal.

They will inspire other scouts to make it as well,” he said.

He explained watching their characters grow from children to adulthood, and the skills they learned made him proud, adding that these three will always have a place in the hearts of their troop.