Virginia De la Hunt

Virginia De la Hunt has gone home. She was an incredible person with a great zest for life who made a huge impact on all she came into contact with.

To state that she is a stalwart of Scouting is an understatement. Together with her husband Garnet, Virginia was instrumental in the transformation of Scouting in South Africa. From her time as the first Pack Scouter for the 1st Gordon’s Bay Sea Scout Group, to her contributions to developing young adults as a member of the Cape Western Adult Leader Training Team, and as a key member of the team of volunteers driving the inclusivity, diversity and unity of Scouting in South Africa leading to the amalgamation of Scouting into one unified organisation in 1977. Virginia was a true messenger of peace and a driver of social change who worked tirelessly to make a better world for the young people of South Africa.

During her time in Scouting, she received numerous awards including a Medal of Merit, a 30-year Service Bar and an Order of the Silver Protea. However, her biggest recognition needs to be the legacy she has left behind. Virginia’s contributions to Scouting are a huge testament to her character, wisdom, and passion for the development of young people. She was seen as a mentor by many and today, a number of our current Scouters and trainers are still passing on what they learned from her to the youth they serve. Throughout her years in Scouting, she always led by example and worked hard to show us how to live up to the Scout Promise and Law every day, whilst striving to become the best versions of ourselves.

We will all remember Virginia as a woman of integrity, who was always keen to take on new adventures, eager to help, and a true friend to all. It is clear that she embodied the values of Scouting and that she has left this world a better place than how she found it. We are keeping Virginia's family members and her friends in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

October, 2024