National challenge
A special badge is created and awarded each year to members of all branches who successfully complete the national challenge.
National Challenge
Since 2018, the themes of the challenges have been based on World Scouting's "Better World Framework" and the Scouts for SDGs campaign, which supports the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.
| Year | Theme | Badge | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Be Water Safe (SDG 3, 4, 11) |
 |
The National Challenge 2026 is "Be Water Safe" and invites Scouts across South Africa to become smart, confident, and responsible around water. |
| 2025 | Heritage (SDG 4, 10, 11) |
 |
In 2025 our national challenge is dedicated to "Our Heritage". We celebrate the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and learnings from across our country and from within SCOUTS South Africa. This is an exciting opportunity for us to deepen our understanding of one another, honour our shared customs and traditions, and build a more inclusive and united future for the South African Scout Movement. |
| 2024 | Health and Well-Being (SDG 3) |
 |
|
| 2023 | Champions for Nature (SDG 13, 14, 15) |
 |
|
| 2022 | Scouts Go Solar |  |
|
| 2021 | SDG 6, 7, 8 and 11 (Clean Water and Sanitation, Affordable and Clean Energy, Decent Work and Economic Growth, and Sustainable Communities) |
 |
|
| 2020 | SDG 5, 13, 14 and 15 (Gender Equality, Climate Action, Life Below Water, and Life On Land) |
||
| 2019 | SDG 1, 2, 3 and 4 (Poverty, Zero Hunger, Good Health and Well-Being, and Quality Education) |
 |
National Challenge (for Cubs)
| Year | Theme | Badge | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Plastic - Not So Fantastic |  |
Cub National Challenge 2018: Rethink Single Use Plastic |
| 2017 | Don't Bully! Be a Friend! |  |
Cub National Challenge 2017: Don't Bully! Be a Friend! |
| 2016 | Cubs100 |  |
Cub National Challenge 2016: Cubs100 |
| 2015 | Cub National Challenge 2015: Join In Jamboree | ||
| 2014 | Cub Annual Challenge 2014: Yesterday, today and tomorrow | ||
| 2013 | |||
| 2012 |  |
||
| 2011 | |||
| 2010 | Slip, Slop, Slap |  |
National Cub Challenge
| Year | Theme | Badge |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Sharing is Caring | |
| 2008 | Enviro Cubs |  |
| 2007 | ||
| 2006 | Happy Birthday (in celebration of 90 years of Wolf Cubs) |
 |
| 2005 | Cool Kids Care |  |
| 2004 | Rainbow Land |  |
| 2004 | (Scout Foundation) Time out for a Treat |
 |
| 2003 | ||
| 2002 | (Scout Foundation) Motivating Momentum |
 |
| 2001 | Our Heritage |  |
Toughees National Challenge
| Year | Theme | Badge |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Bata Bonanza |  |
| 1998 | Going for Growth |  |
| 1997 |  | |
| 1996 | ||
| 1995 | Uniting Nations |  |
| ... |