Rover SARSI: 1953 Report
Gordon Park, Matopo Hills near Bulawayo: 6th SARSI
3 to 6 April 1953– Easter
Report from SAHQ Bulletin No 6 June 1953
For the first time Rhodesia was host to the South African Rover Scout Indaba and a real good show was put on by them. From the moment of the opening at Gordon Park in the Matopos until the closing dance in Bulawayo, the programme unfolded itself on time with no cancellations or substitutions.
Thirty-eight Rover Scouts travelled from the Union (Cape Western 18, Natal 9, Transvaal 8, Cape Midlands 3) to join more than 60 from Southern Rhodesia in camp at Gordon Park and there at 12 noon on Friday 22nd May the Chief Commissioner, deputising for the Chief Scout of the Colony, opened the Indaba.
Speaking from the top of Gordon Park rock in a normal voice that was perfectly audible to all those gathered below, Mr N.F. Shillingford said in the course of his address that he hoped many good friendships would spring from the Indaba, as good fellowship was important. He read a message from the Governor in which he also wished the Rovers success in their Indaba. He said that it was fitting to hold the Indaba in the Matopos for in a sense, these Matopos were the cradle of the Scout movement, for it was there that Lord Baden-Powell conceived the idea and learned much of the Scoutcraft upon which he laid the foundations of the movement.
At the moment of declaring the Indaba open a signal was given for the breaking of the flags. At the masthead the Union Jack and on the cross arms the Union Flag and the Scout Flag. From five other flagpoles were broken flags bearing the emblems of the 4 Union Divisions represented at the Indaba, and the Rhodesian emblem. Then followed a triumphant peal on the bells among the rocks.
Most of the four days at Gordon Park were spent in sightseeing. Hikes round the Matopos gave an insight into the glorious country about. One morning was spent on a visit to the site of Fort Ussher No.3 and the tree associated with B-P in the Matabele war. Here the Bulawayo Rovers erected a fresh sign to mark the site.
Bulawayo Scouting can be very proud of its 275 acres of Gordon Park; it is grand hiking country abounding in rocks and echoes too. Through these valleys the Rovers hiked many miles, perhaps the most important hike being the pilgrimage to World's View where lies Cecil Rhodes, the centenary of whose birth Rhodesia is now observing with the Central African Exhibition in Bulawayo. There among the hills he loved so well we listened to tales of the past history of Rhodesia from the lips of Gerry Stephens, Camp Chief of the S.A.R.S.I.
The camp fire to which the public had been invited was a grand affair; some 200 people came out the 25 miles from Bulawayo to it. Some of the items were good, while the singing was on the usual Rover level. A second camp fire sing-song was held on the last night in camp, this followed a typical South African braaivleis and was informal, producing the best singing of the camp, the leaders being a Salisbury Rover Crew.
There was just one period of discussion. Mr J. Knapman, D/C/C and Warden of Gordon Park, introduced the subject -Rover Service. He suggested that Rovering today was not living up to its motto. Crews do not tackle real jobs of service throughout the year. He started some very lively discussion after telling of the job being done week by week by the Gordon Park Crew of which he is also R/S/U. He said that any number of his Crew wishing to take part in sport had to consider his membership of the Gordon Park Crew. The two did not mix. Many speakers spoke of the jobs of service being done by their Crews and most of them were doing fine jobs too, but many realised that their service was not vital and because of the trend of the discussion went away with the determination to put things right firstly in their own Crews and then in the districts which had no representatives at S.A.R.S.I. Gerry Stephens, as chairman, controlled the discussion to perfection, and his experience and wise counsel did much to help keep the discussion on a high plane.
Two decisions were taken. The first to hold S.A.R.S.I. every two years in future, and the second to change the name from South African Rover Scout Indaba to Southern Africa Rover Scout Indaba, this, for obvious reasons seeing Rhodesia takes such active part in these Indabas. Natal extended the invitation for the next Indaba to be held in their Division in 1955 and promised to fix the time and place before the end of this year.
The break-up of the camp came at 10 a.m. on Tuesday 26th May 1953. First the Camp Chief placed a bowl of leaves from the Park on the memorial to those members of the Movement who had helped build up Gordon Park and had given their lives in World War II. Then each Divisional Flag was Lowered in turn and handed to the leader to take back to his Divisional Headquarters. Finally after prayers and a word of encouragement and goodwill from the Camp Chief, the flags were lowered and the first part of S.A.R.S.I. ended.
And so on to the Victoria Falls where 2½ days were spent in sightseeing. To most this was an inspiring time and it was rounded off with a camp fire on the banks of the Zambezi near the Falls. An interesting and informative yarn on pre-history and the origin of the Falls was given by Dr J. Desmond Clark of the Livingstone Museum.
Then back to Bulawayo for a visit to the Khami Ruins and the dance to end the S.A.R.S.I. A fine evening to finish a fine Indaba.
Most of the contingents remained a few days in Bulawayo to visit the Rhodes Centenary Exhibition. Our hats came off to the Rhodesians for a wonderful time. The Scout Sprit was evident right from the time we were met until we were seen off, and although some of the contingents left at odd times there was always some of the Bulawayo Rovers to see them off. While Gerry Stephens drove the lorry himself with all our kit to the station, a truly wonderful sprit.
Well done, Rhodesia!
Report by John Stakesby Lewis
He who was there as a Scout helper in Headquarters and writes:-
I had been helping on the work parties that were getting Gordon Park ready for the SARSI. During 1952 we had built a water storage tank using concrete blocks to ensure the water supply.
I do not remember much as I was a teenager at the time and took part in very few of the activities. I was there to help the headquarters team.
The 6th SARSI was held in Gordon Park, the Scout campsite in the Matopos Hills 24 miles South of Bulawayo.
The Rovers who came to SARSI were split into groups of four and each group was allocated a small campsite. Each group was issued with daily rations from headquarters and were responsible for their own cooking.
Gordon Park has a beautiful setting along a granite ridge.
The main parade ground is on a plateau with a huge rock dominating one end. A person standing on the rock can be easily heard by everyone on the parade ground.
One of the activities of the Rovers was a hike to Fort Usher, four miles away, to put up a plaque on the tree that Baden Powell had a machine gun post under in the Matabele Rebellion in 1896.
There was also a hike to Cecil John Rhodes' grave which is not far from Gordon Park.
Jack "Skipper" Knapman, the warden of Gordon Park at that time, was the moving spirit behind the Indaba. Jack did his Woodbadge at Gillwell and came out to Southern Rhodesia in 1923 to be private secretary to the general manager of the railways who was the chief scout of the country.
When travelling on railway duties they had their scout uniforms with them in the general manager's coach and if there was a scout troop in the town they were visiting they put on their uniforms and visited the troop.
Report by the Cape Midlands contingent
The, consisting of Rovers Ralph Frost and Jack Lolijoit (St. Katharine's Own 3rd Uitenhage Crew) and yours truly, left Port Elizabeth on May 19th, 1953.
The journey was interesting but a little tiring. At Kimberley we met the Cape Western bods under G.S .M. "Impie" Bryant. The journey from then on proved to be very amusing, and old times were soon being discussed.
We were met at Bulawayo station by Camp Chief Gerry Stephens and a Customs Official, who gave us the necessary customs clearance: The lorries from Matabeleland Division were waiting at the station entrance to take us to the new Matabeleland Scout Headquarters. This building is very pleasing in design and has ample room for Scout functions. Here we met the Transvaal and Natal contingents and the one and only Bob Talbot (Asst. Camp Chief). After spending the evening seeing Bulawayo, we returned to H. Q. where we sank wearily into bed.
On the morning of Friday, May 22nd, we were on our way early to the site of the S.A.R.S.I. which was at Gordon Park in the Matopos. After campsites had been allocated we proceeded to make ourselves at home and draw our rations. We were in parties of 4 Rovers
Gordon Park; 25 miles from Bulawayo, is what I think most of us considered the ideal camp, with hot water boilers, cold water showers, and an excellent pattern camp stove. Gordon park has its Chapel, set in among the rugged rocks, where B. P himself earned much of his Scout knowledge, and this, together with the surroundings, make it an excellent and delightful place for all members of our Brotherhood to worship. The Chapel has a set of twelve excellent chimes, made from scrap material. I believe all Work was done by Skipper Knapman and his Gordon Park Rover Crew, as is all the maintenance of Gordon Park.
The. opening ceremony was conducted from Gordon Park Rock, which stands atop a cliff some 150 feet above the plateau, where the actual parade ground area is set out. Gordon Park Rock is peculiar in that anyone who stands in under it and speaks in a NORMAL voice, is heard distinctly on the parade ground.
The plateau was lined by Brasshats, Visitors and Rovers, under their respective Division Flags. At 12 noon, after chimes had been rung, the Colony Commissioner "Commodore" Shillingford, accompanied by Camp Chief "Gerry" Stephens, appeared above Gordon Park at the base of Gordon Park Rock, and after an Interesting address, officially declared S.A.R.S.I. open. We were then issued with our official corks (Upi lo Bung). We were immediately instructed in the legends of Gordon Park, one of the foremost of which was not to point at the mountain to the East of us - Shumba-Shaba (Old Baldie), as the local witch-doctor would take vengeance on whoever did so. I waited four days to see someone break this tradition, but no-one did.
The afternoon was spent exploring the 275 acres of Gordon Park. We heard one RAF type Rover say - "By Goom Churn this is the first time· I used a ruddy compass to tour a campsite!"
The evening was spent at the campfire, where many new and delightful songs were heard.
Next morning, we hiked 12 miles d own the M'shele Valley, one of B. P's favourite spots, where he at started an experimental farm, to show the Natives in the Reserve how to farm.
The evening was spent at the campfire, under Gamp- Fire Chief Hank Blowers. This was open to the public and many Bulawayo citizens turned up. The singing was excellent, especially a song composed, written and sung by Rover Ted Thurtell, called "Rhodesia '. This is one of the most delightful songs I have heard for a long time. The Salisbury Crew and Ted had to give an encore of "Rhodesia".
Sunday saw Rover's Own Service in the morning with a visit to Mleme Dam, the Lobengula Cave, and the M.O.T.'H. Shrine in the afternoon.
The evening was spent on discussion, where the Subjects were, "Wither Rovering", "Sport in Rovering" and "Rover age limit. These points were well and truly discussed and many views were given by those present.
Monday morning, we visited the site of Fort Usher No.3, and B.P. tree. These forts were designed and positioned by B.P. himself.
In the afternoon we hiked to World's View, and saw Cecil Rhodes Grave. The evening was spent at a braaivleis and Sing-song.
On Tuesday, after all Divisions had been handed a Division Flag to be presented to Divisional H.Q. with the compliments of the Rhodesian S.A.R.S.l., we left for Victoria Falls, where we spent Wednesday, Thursday and Friday morning, seeing the wonderful sights, including an organised tour to the Hydro- electric plant at the Falls, and a motor launch trip to Khanadahar Island, and also a very disorganised trip to Livingstone.
On Saturday we returned to Bulawayo and visited the Khami Ruins and Government House, and finished up a very successful S.A.R.S.I. with a dance at the Raylton Scout Hall in the evening. This pleasant End to S.A.R.S.I. was enjoyed by all contingent Members.
Most members of the Union contingents went to see the Rhodes Centenary Exhibition on the Saturday morning, and many stayed over for a. few days to enable them to see more of this most outstanding Exhibition.
The 6th S.A.R.S.I. was well organised and Although the schedule was heavy, no-one noticed the strain. Good comradeship was the keynote throughout, and the Rhodesian's deserve three hearty cheers for a good job of Scouting.
Our 3,200-mile trip did help us a lot as far as Scouting and Rovering are concerned.
The following were the Contingent Leaders:-
A.D.C.- "Allen" Allenbury-Smith - Natal
G.S.M. - "Impie" Bryant - Cape western
R.S.L. - Cookie" Cook - Transvaal
R.S.L.- 5 by 5" Hamell - Gwelo, Rhodesia
D.R.S.L. - "Bob" Talbot - Bulawayo, Rhodesia
R.S.L. - "Buck" Jones - Salisbury, Rhodesia
G.S.M. - Bing" Crosbie - Cape Midlands
"Bing"Crosbie
R.S.L.
St. Katharine's Own
3rd Uitenhage Crew
Scout Heritage 2018