International Jamborees: 1964 Report Mozambique
1964 - 1st International Jamboree, Lourenco Marques (Maputo, Mozambique)
5 – 13 January / Estimated: Participants 400 / Countries 4 / South Africans 20 / Cost £4
Editor’s Note: The Scout Archives in Cape Town has no record of this event other than a detailed logbook by a Scout from the Rhodesian contingent. Consequently, it does not reveal which South African Scouts and Scouters participated in the event or their arrival and departure dates. The following report is based solely on this document and all the activities would have included those in the South African contingent. The daily newspaper “O Jamboree” affirms this with its photos and articles.
The Rhodesians travelled by train and arrived a day prior to the opening and were met at Lourenco Marques station and welcomed by the Portuguese officials and transported to the campsite. On arrival at the campsite in the Mahotas suburb, the Scouts were shown to their sites and issued with one small tent per patrol. The weather on Saturday morning the 4th was extremely hot and oppressive and a trip to the beach for a swim was most welcome. After this, the Scouts returned to camp where they continued to improve their sites until lunch. In the middle of the afternoon, a sudden storm broke! Many articles hanging out to dry became soaking wet!
On awakening on Sunday, the 5th, they found, much to their dismay, that the rain of the previous day had done little to reduce the heat. There was an early Mass for Catholic Scouts, and later a Scouts’ own for the others. This was followed by a practice at ten o’clock for the ceremonial marchpast that afternoon. Fortunately, this did not last too long, as the heat was becoming oppressive. They then broke off for lunch and a rest before returning to the parade ground for the formal opening.
The Official Opening
All the Scouts and Scouters marched past a number of dignitaries and a large crowd of interested spectators, and then formed a horseshoe in the “Praça de Bandeiras”. The jamboree was officially opened with speeches, the raising of the National flags, the distribution of Patrol pennants and flashes, and the pinning of Jamboree badges on to Scouts and Scouters by Portuguese Guides and Akelas. After the formalities, they found time for a quick swim in the exceptionally warm water, then back to camp for a rather late supper and afterwards an informal sing-song in Number 5 Troop.
The first official day of the Jamboree was Monday the 6th January 1964. The morning consisted of making the campsites spick and span, inspection and assembly for prayers and notices. After a lunch, they held a Patrol Leaders’ meeting and in the late afternoon went off to the beach for a swim, again at Costa do Sol beach. In the evening there was a film show – Stan Laurel with Italian dialogue, and several similar items.
A Scouter reports that: -
“Tuesday was a full but interesting day. There was an early rise, followed by physical contortions on the parade ground and a very good breakfast. Inspection was followed by a swim for most of the Scouts, but some stayed behind to help in the erection of gateways to the sub-camps for the impending visit of the Governor-General of Moçambique.
After lunch they got into luxury buses for a trip to the city. The first stop was at the Church of St. Anthony at Polana – a marvellous example of modern architecture. They then went on for an all too short visit to the Alvaro Castro Museum which impressed them all with its collection of wildlife and freaks. Next, they made their way to the Radio Club of Moçambique, where they saw the studios, and the superbly appointed club premises, with dance hall, bar, lounges, all decorated with wonderful murals. Ten lucky Scouts recorded messages to be broadcasted over LM Radio later in the week.
After a while, they moved on to the cathedral, which was most impressive, and then to the Comara Municipal (Town Hall) with its most interesting models of Lourenco Marques of the past, and its luxuriously appointed rooms. They dragged themselves away from this fascinating building to move on to the docks, where they enjoyed a boat trip up along the wharf and across the river”
On their return to camp, they had a quick council of Scouters, and then dinner. A sing-song was organised around the campfire circle and was very much appreciated by all those present. During the night, they awoke at about half past three in the middle of a really torrential downpour. They thought of all the things outside, but decided that they were already wet through, and that there was no point in joining them. They just sat tight, and hoped that the tent would not collapse on them.
O Jamboree
There was a daily newspaper called “O Jamboree” and although initially written in Portuguese, from the photographs one could pick out the national flags and the many faces in the pictures that are familiar. English articles were to follow. A feature of their camp is the daily mass for catholic scouts and the bells can be heard early every morning.
When arriving on day one, their camp site it was just African Bush, except where their Portuguese hosts had gone to endless trouble to clear away access paths. Now the picture is quite different: tents, kitchens, dining shelters, washing lines have sprung everywhere. What is most pleasing, is to see groups of boys of different nations in a group swapping badges - there seems to be no end to the number of different shapes and designs of these badges.
Wednesday saw the rain easing off and after inspection, some of the boys went off for a swim, whilst others stayed behind again to continue working on the gateway. At half past four in the afternoon, all the Scouts were lined up for His Excellency who inspected those present and then inspected the camp site. Yet another visit to the beach was organised after the ceremonial activities, but some of the Scouters preferred to spend their time chatting with the Portuguese Akelas and after dinner, they had a campfire.
An all-day excursion was arranged for the Thursday which meant an exceptionally early start, making their way to Mahotas station before eight where they boarded a CFM train which took them to Vila Luiza. Here they disembarked and wandered around. They then boarded a launch for a trip up the river to see hippo and then returned to the Salao de Cha where the Scouters had lunch with Commander Gomes. The meal, at which wine flowed freely and good fellowship abounded, was enjoyed by all, and the speeches made after the meal reflected the spirit of comradeship that had grown up amongst us.
Friday saw a dry and bright start to the morning, but the weather deteriorated rapidly, and the “Olympic Games” were partially washed out. The rain continued, heavily at times, throughout the day, and most Scouts took advantage of the opportunity to write letters, tidy up, or even take a siesta. The next day it rained on and off throughout the day making it difficult in arranging the programme, but they managed to conclude the “Olympic Games”, have a game of football, and go for yet another swim. In the evening they held a final campfire, which was a great success with large numbers of visitors from Lourenco Marques in attendance.
Sunday was the last day of the Jamboree and greeted them with bright sunshine – a very pleasant change after the last few days, and soon everyone had blankets and sleeping bags out to dry. A very simple but attractive rustic altar was built by the Portuguese Scouts for the Archbishop of Lourenco Marques to say Mass. A Scouts’ Own was again held for the non-Catholics. In the afternoon, there was a demonstration of Scouting skills which consisted mainly of a Monkey Bridge built by Number Five Troop.
Then came the closing ceremony but rain in the middle of the ceremony sent many spectators rushing for the shelter of their cars, but the Scouts stood firm until the shower was over. The Jamboree closed among scenes of great jubilation, with cheers, chairing and general good fellowship. It was evident that notwithstanding the many difficulties and problems, the ideals of the brotherhood of Scouting had certainly been achieved. That night, there was a farewell party for the leaders given by Commander Gomes.
Monday 13th, their final day in Lourenco Marques, greeted them with warm sunshine, and allowed everything to be dried before packing. The camp was quickly taken down, end everything was cleared and tidied up by just after eleven o’clock. Lunch was given out and consumed before they left for town.
From an article in the last “O Jamboree” the South African contingent reported: -
We must say thanks to those who organised the Jamboree, Padre Luis Paulo and Commandant V. Gomes and the Loyal Band of Scouters who carried the burden. Many, many thanks. We, from South Africa, must thank Colonel A. Johnson, Chief Scout of South Africa; for allowing us to attend the Jamboree; in spite of the National South African Jamboree which is being held at the same time All things come to an end; such is the law of life. Endings bring sadness, and it is with sadness we say goodbye. Sadness mixed with the rich friendships formed and the happy memories we keep in our hearts.
Photo Gallery
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Opening Parade
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South African Flag raised at Opening
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Unsticking the South African Flag
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Meeting South African Leader
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Happy South African Scouts
