SANJAMB: 1960 Report
Bloemfontein: Union Festival Jamboree
The Jamboree in which 122 of our Cape Western Scouts and 19 of our Commissioners / Scouters participated is past, but not forgotten, because everyone enjoyed themselves thoroughly.
The Cape Western Contingent earned praise from all sides for their appearance, demeanour, behaviour and readiness to tackle any job required of them. The happy atmosphere pervaded the whole Jamboree and contributed in no small measure to the general happy spirit of the camp.
As the Producer of our Pageant Item, run in conjunction with the Girl Guides, coming from Cape Western it is natural that our contingent took the major roles for the Pageant and they had their reward for their hard work, in the praiseworthy comments which came to light subsequently.
Whether it was natural or not or mere coincidence, they certainly took the lead in establishing closer relations with the Girl Guides. There is no doubt that the two movements should have closer liaison and if our hierarchy are unable to bring this about we suggest they consult our Jamboree boys on methods! It would be invidious to recall some of the stories that were heard - perhaps Scouters could get their boys to tell a few.
During our days in Camp we entertained parties of Girl Guides, Voortrekkers and Habonim (Jewish Youth Movement). These proved to be most entertaining and instructive visits.
Our Scouts were real diplomats and protagonists of Scouting. The train journeys proved to be quite eventful. Our departure from each station was heralded by much noise produced by a bugle, a fish horn and several whistles (not forgetting bosons pipes on the return journey) much to the annoyance of our various Guards. In addition those Scouts without water pistols seemed to be definitely in the minority.
Being able to attend the displays in the Festival Arena, mixing with other boys and girls, having people speaking; both languages, participating with 400 other Scouts from South Africa and South West Africa, in a happy carefree Jamboree, has been an experience which will remain memorable for a long time.
We, in Cape Western, can be happy to know that our Contingent set an example to Scouts throughout South Africa and South West Africa.
Acknowledgement: Cape Western Scouter
The South Africa Festival Jamboree at Bloemfontein
In collaboration with South African Festival commemorating fifty years of Union, a Scout Jamboree was held at Bloemfontein from 24th to 51st May, 1960, and two scouts from 1st Claremont, T/L D.Cole and P/L W.Willetts were chosen by the Group Committee to represent the Troop there.
The train journey from Cape Town to Bloemfontein was in itself something to remember. To eat and sleep on a train is great fun and to watch new lands passing by and seeing such towns as Worcester, Beaufort West, De Aar and Kimberley is most interesting.
At the Showgrounds in Bloemfontein we found the great tent town which consisted of the Police Force, Army, Navy and Air Force Gymnasia, Scouts, Jewish Scouts, school children and holiday-makers. There were 500 Scouts altogether and the Camp Chief was the Chief Scout himself, Lt. Col. Johnstone. Under him were four sub-camp leaders representing all the divisions of South Africa, the Cape Western Sub-Camp Leader being Mr. Rutter.
There was a much varied programme and the Scouts along with the Guides, Voortrekkers and Jewish Scouts (Habonim) played a prominent part in the festival programme. On the 25th May there was a great procession through the streets of the city, not only including all the above youth movements but also many schools, military bands, ambulance corps, clowns etc.
All festival events took place in a huge stadium., the King's Park Stadium which holds 60,000 people. Here are some of the highlights we saw there: A massed display by the S.A. Navy, Army and Air Force Gymnasia in which various formations were formed in such perfect exactness that it almost took your breath away. A huge wagon wheel was formed and slowly revolved to symbolise the growth of South Africa. The Union Flag was also formed successfully as the army wore orange shirts, the navy white and the air force blue shirts. A mock battle followed in which anti-aircraft guns and armoured cars were used.
The Pretoria Police Force gave another good display and a really remarkable exhibition of Police dogs was given. These dogs will obey their master's every command and even jumped through a hoop of fire. After smelling the handkerchief of a certain man the dog tracked down the owner out of five others. In a gymnastics display afterward some policemen performed the incredible feat of vaulting over six horses standing side by side. All the State Officials were there and gave speeches. These included the Prime Minister and the Governor-General.
There was overseas folk dancing as well as a massed volkspele display. The various youth movements also put on pageants in the stadium at night and the Scout and Guide one was by far the best. It consisted of a star being formed by the Scouts and a ring round the star being formed by the Guides who did hoop drill with luminous hoops. Each of the ten sides of the star lit up by means of sparklers when the Scout Law was recited and in the end there remained a star of light.
In camp we gave tea parties for the Girl Guides, Voortrekkers and Habonim on different days. The Girl Guides numbered 1,000 and so-there were two to each Scout. Every care was taken to keep our uniforms smart. We had two complete uniforms, plastic covers were provided, there was a special ironing tent and a dry cleaning service was available, so that nobody had an excuse for a dirty uniform.
We were given plenty of free time to explore the city and see the various exhibitions on show. The city boasts a fine museum and a splendid zoo. The latter contains all the common animals of Africa such as hyenas, lions, tigers, foxes, polecats, baboons, camels, snakes and a host of others. Here also, history was made in 1954 when a tiger was crossed with a lion to produce a liger. The skeleton is now in the museum, The museum contains about the same things as the Cape Town Museum but has some interesting differences. There is a section dealing with ancient weapon including a complete set of Gothic armour, and a section on minerals including a cross-section of an 0.F.S. gold mine.
Bloemfontein also has a special Anglo-Boer War Museum and a Monument. This was very close to our campsite and was visited by many Scouts.
We also climbed Naval Hill from where the complete city can be seen in the middle of miles of grassveld - a marvelous sight.
Just to give you an idea of the climate there, on Thursday, 26th May the temperature was max 67°F, min. 29°F, i.e. 3° below freezing. We used ice in our coffee to make the grounds sink. Flies in the tent simply froze up and could be flicked off. They thaw in the daytimes though. However, the cold did not spoil our happiness and we gradually got used to it.
On the last day of the camp, Union Day, there was a 21 gun salute followed by a "flying past" of scores of aircraft of the S.A. Air Force in Bloemfontein. There was then a grand pageant, "South Africa Marches Past".
Then on Wednesday we boarded the train for home and although it was a most enjoyable holiday which I shall server forget, there is nothing like "Home, Sweet Home" in Cape Town.
D.C.
Acknowledgement: Smoke Signals magazine, 1st Claremont Scout Group