Gladstone scouts Amra-Faye and Chandre Greenan from Kimberley are the first two recipients in the Northern Cape and country to receive the Duke of Edinburgh’s international award.
GLADSTONE scouts Amra-Faye and Chandre Greenan from Kimberley are the first two recipients in the region to receive the Duke of Edinburgh’s international award.
District commissioner in Kimberley and country district Scouts South Africa Thozamile Lovers Kula said the award programme had over one million participants globally with about 3,000 based on the African continent.
“The youth development programme empowers youths between the ages of 14-24 years to explore their full potential, find their purpose, passion and place in the world. The award is a fully inclusive programme and has no social, political, or religious affiliations,” said Kula.
He added that the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation oversaw the award programme in over 130 countries and territories globally, with 18 countries in Africa.
“Recently two of our very own scouts from Gladstone Scouts received this award. Historically they happen to be the first to receive the award in the region and district. It is an achievement that we can only be proud of.”
Kula stated that entry to the order was by invitation only and subject to the sanction of Her Majesty the Queen, in recognition of achievements towards their mission and values as well as the expectation of future involvement and contribution.
“There are about 20,000 members of the order worldwide, all of whom have become members by being honoured by the sovereign head for service rendered in furthering the work of the order. Although the order is founded on Christian principles, membership is not exclusively Christian, and members come from various faiths.”
He added that admitted members included Nelson Mandela, Queen Noor of Jordan, Desmond Tutu, Margaret Thatcher, Douglas Fairbanks Jnr, Barbara Cartland, Edwina Mountbatten and Christopher Lee.
“Members of the British royal family who are members of our order include the Duke of Gloucester, the Duchess of Gloucester, the Princess Royal and the Countess of Wessex.”
Kula who is also the area officer of St John’s was promoted to a member Grade V in the Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem.
