From Shetland to South Africa: An African Scout Moot Adventure

This summer, Sarah Maguire, Explorer Leader for Hjatltland Explorer Unit in Lerwick, Shetland, went on an international Scouting adventure as part of the International Service Team (IST) at the 2nd African Scout Moot in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Here, Sarah shares what turned out to be a wonderful international Scouting experience:

From Shetland to South Africa

In July 2026, I travelled to Johannesburg, South Africa, to take part in the 2nd African Scout Moot as a member of International Service Team (IST) – the team that helps make the event run.

I was the sole Scottish Scout and one of only two UK members among the 30 countries represented at the Moot.

The Moot was the first international event that SCOUTS South Africa had hosted, and it was a tremendous success! A huge thank you to my friend Damian Lahoud, the Moot Chair, for the invitation, and to the rest of the Moot committee for putting on such a brilliant event.

Supporting Scouts from across the world

As an IST, I was given the role of Path Advisor, supporting participants throughout their week-long Moot experience.

I was partnered with an IST from the USA, Pratik, and together we were the advisors to a group of 27 young people aged 18–25 from 14 different countries across Africa and Europe.

It meant no two people in our Path had the same experience of Scouting. We had the opportunity to learn from each other and discover the different ways that Scouting works across our countries.

For me, one of the best parts of a Moot is the opportunity to live with other people from across the world.

Unlike a Jamboree, where you generally camp with your country contingent, at Moots participants are randomly assigned to camp together in Paths or Tribes for the entire event.

It gives you a unique opportunity to share and learn about the countries, cultures, traditions and beliefs of our worldwide Scouting family.

A challenge on the water

The participants had a fantastic time, with activities including rafting, dancing, crafts and kayaking.

In the middle of the Moot, each Path completed an overnight excursion. Our Path rowed 15km in a traditional “gig” – a seven-seater wooden rowing boat – across a huge dam.

We had a braai (South African BBQ), camped overnight, and then rowed another 10km the following day, stopping off at an island along the way to see the local wildlife and enjoy the view.

It was a great but challenging experience.

For many of our participants, it was the first time any of them had been on a boat – never mind rowing it themselves!

With blistered hands, aching muscles and well-founded friendships, we returned to camp for the final few days.

Discovering Johannesburg and Soweto

The Moot organisers also arranged an off-site tour of Johannesburg for all IST and participants.

We walked along Vilakazi Street – the starting point of the 1976 Soweto uprising, when school children protested the introduction of Afrikaans as the language of instruction in schools.

Vilakazi Street is also the only street in the world to have been home to two Nobel Peace Prize winners: Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

We learned more about Mandela’s fight to end apartheid, and the struggles experienced by his family while he was imprisoned.

One of the most emotional parts of the day was visiting a charity named Uzima, meaning “life” in Swahili.

Located in the centre of one of Soweto’s townships, Uzima supports more than 150 children and young people living there. They help them access education and healthcare systems, while also providing a safe space for them to meet, learn and play.

The visit made me incredibly grateful for the opportunities that I’ve had throughout my life, many of which I’ve had through Scouting.

It has also driven me to want to pass those opportunities on.

 

Bringing the experience home

Since returning from the Moot, I’ve become the leader of Hjatltland Explorer Unit in Lerwick, Shetland.

I’m keen to pass on the knowledge and experiences I gained in South Africa and use them to inspire the next generation of young people in Scouting.

The African Scout Moot was an incredible experience, not just because of the activities and places we visited, but because of the people I met and the friendships I made.

I would recommend the African Scout Moot to anyone aged 18+ who wants to experience an international camp. It gives you the chance to meet people from parts of the world you rarely bump into at other large Scouting events.

As we wait to hear where the 3rd African Scout Moot will be held, I hope more Scottish Scouts will consider going to this once-in-a-lifetime event – to share our culture, learn from others and make friends for life.

Want to take your Scouting international?

Sarah’s experience is just one of the many opportunities available through international Scouting.

If you’re a Scouts Scotland volunteer and fancy trying something a little different, why not find out more about the opportunities to get involved with Scouting overseas?

Find out more about international opportunities with Scouts Scotland

Or get in touch with Steven Maclennan, our Lead Volunteer for International, at steven.maclennan@scouts.scot.