Jodi to make history as first Toti girl Springbok scout
The grade 12 Amanzimtoti High School pupil joined Toti 1st Scouts four years ago.
Jodi Weeks (17) will make history on Friday evening, 31 October when she is the first Toti female to receive the Springbok badge for scouting.
The grade 12 Amanzimtoti High School pupil, who is busy writing her final examinations, joined Toti 1st Scouts four years ago.
“A friend of my sister, Telise Cousins is a troop leader and she invited me to a camp,” said Jodi.
“Two months after joining scouts, I attended a leadership programme in Pietermaritzburg.
I’m very proud to be the first girl scout in Toti to receive the Springbok badge. When I first joined the scouts, I saw all the names on the honour board and it was all boys’ names and I said to myself I will be the first girl on there.”
To achieve her Springbok badge, Jodi tackled a 95km hike in the Drakensberg for rhino awareness, constructed a spiral staircase, the first one in KZN, and completed 40 hours of community service by helping at Purr-fect Rescued Cats Sanctuary in Athlone Park.
Currently there are three other girl scouts in Toti and Jodi hopes she has had a positive influence in pushing them to achieve.
“Scouts builds character, gives you leadership qualities and respect. Plus you learn to do stuff, which is great for girls. And it’s fun. I’m very excited to receive my badge on Friday.”
She is a leader at Life Church and is involved in children’s ministry.
Next year Jodi will either study to be a teacher or chef. “Whatever I do, I will remain in scouting. I want to join Rovers, which is scouting for 18 to 25-year-olds, and do my BP award, which is the equivalent to the Springbok badge in Scouts.”
Toti 1st Scouts meet in the Scouts hall in Drake Way every Tuesday from 6pm to 8pm.
