Northern Cape Scouting History

The Northern Cape Region started as the Cape Griqualand West Division and merged with the Orange Free State Division in 1977 when the different racially segregated Scout Associations were unified as part of the "Quo Vadis" process. Despite the apartheid politics of the time, South African Scouts opted to form one united organisation as this would best serve our ethics and the interests of the members.

A Local office and Scout shop was situated in Kimberley and was run by the Kimberley Local Association. It served members from Kimberley and the surrounding areas but unfortunately closed down in the mid 1990s.

The Central Scouting Area grew when the Demarcation Board amended the boundaries of the geographical Northern Cape and North West Provinces in 2006. This resulted in a change of Scouting boundaries as the Kuruman district was transferred from Scouts SA North West to Scouts SA Free State/Northern Cape. The Provincial Headquarters for both Central and Free State/Northern Cape was situated in Welkom.

This arrangement necessitated the appointment of a Deputy Provincial Commissioner and Kagiso (Peace) Makoloi took up this role in 2006. He served the interests of the Northern Cape members. The creation of this position also aided in preparing for the separation of the SSA Northern Cape and SSA Free State Regions. This process was overseen by former SSA CEO, Luke van der Laan.

On 19 September 2014 Nolan van der Merwe was appointed as Regional Commissioner. This marked the beginning of the Northern Cape Region.

• Northern Cape Region website