Dear Dr. Brookes,

Will you please read the enclosed letter and give me your opinion thereon. I shall also be glad if you will obtain Mr. John Dube's and Mr. Malcolm’ s opinions and send them on to me.

Thanking you in anticipation,

Yours sincerely,

H .J . Howell.

123 Stuart Street,

Rev. H .J. Howell, HARRISMITH.GREYTOWN.Natal. 14 March, 1935.

Dear Mr, Howell,

As you possibly know, we have been for some time now investigating the desirability of founding a movement among the school-going Native children, because many of us feel that the "Wayfarers" and "Pathfinders" are not altogether suitable for the Native,

It is my unlucky lot to be Chairman of the Commission. A few days ago we held a meeting and it was decied that everyone of us should try and get as much information as possible, which must be in before the end of next month, because we are going to meet (D .V.) on the 6th of May at Bloemfontein to discuss the matter further,

I was instructed to write to you with the request that you should consult various men, such as John Dube, Professor Edgar Brookes and others whom you know. Perhaps Mr. Malcolm as well. We only want the views of those who know the Bantu well pnd who are acquainted with the work of the Wayfarers and Pathfinders. And above all we want the opinions of the headmen of the Bantu themselves.

What we want to know is whether there is a need for such a movement; whether the existing movements are altogether to the liking of the Natives and if they meet their needsj whether they are not too luxurious.

We have been instructed by the Synod not to institute the movement before we have met all the organisers of the other movements and discussed matters with them. It will be, if we come to an agreement with them, more a question of re-organisation than of the founding of a new movement.

We want to be well armed if we meet them. You can make clear to the persons whom you consult that there is no question of founding a new movement, but our object is to have a movement which will be more suitable for the Native than the existing ones.

One of the greatest objects to the existing movements is the titles, which canfiot be translated into Bantu langueges. In this instance a teacher in Greytown with his euund knowledge of both Bantu languages in the

- Union -

Union, would be able to help us at once by giving us a name which could be translated into both languages and which would be of meaning to both races, viz. Zulus and Basuthos. It will help us out of a great difficulty, and it is also the thing against which the others have been struggling all these year6.

Yours brother in His service,

J .P .H . Wessels.

Amanzimtoti Institute,

Rev. Henry Howell,D.R. Church, GREYTOWN.

Dear Mr. Howell,

In connection with your letter of the 19th March, I am sending you two copies of a Report by Mr, Dannhauser on the Pathfinder Movement.

Mr. Dannhauser, personally, is responsible for the Pathfinders of this Institute. As an Afrikaans speaking person and member of your Church his opinion and suggestions should be very interesting.

As far as the Movement is concerned I quite agree with him, and I hope that it will receive the sympathy and support of your large and influential Church.

E .H . Brookes.

Principal.

y'tw &vd.'m ..

6 14th March, 1935

Mr. J .R . Wessels, HARRISMITH.

Dear Sir,

Tour letter to Rev. Howell, via Dr. Brookes has arrived here. I will start by making clear why, and who I am.

I am the Pathfinder Master of the PathfinderDivision in our school, which is one of the largest Divisions in Natal. I am also a member of the Dutch Reformed Church of the Tr nsvaal where I grew up, and thus I well understand some of the troubles you mention in your letter.

I have been teaching here for nearly three and a quarter years, and during the last two years I have been at the Head of the Pathfinders here. I have never come across anything which was contrary to my feelings during this period - and I consider myself a true Afrik:aans-Bpeaking person. In some cases where literally a thing sounded Jin­goistic, I tried to realise the spirit of its contents.Further the Movement is interdenominational, so that no person is excluded from Joining the Movement, because of the Church to which he belongs.

As you know, the founders of this Movement were faced with the same difficulties with which you are faced today, and they found a solution by basing their prinches on those of the Boy Scout Movement. As such these were naturally very tentative and any alterations or modifications which you can put forward from your side, I can assure you, will meet with the greatest attention and consideration of our Chief Pathfinder.

At the Annual meeting of this Movement held last December in Johannesburg, at which I had the honour to be present, it was decided to translate our regulations into Afrikaans and Sesuto, so that there would be no diffi- culty in connection with the language. Mr. J . Reuling, our District Pathfinder Master tells me that at the foundation of the Movement in Natal the Sesuto name "Vul^ndela" was proposed, but the Natives prefer the English name.

In the translation of the promise it will be quite in order to substitute "King" with"Govemment" so that there shall be no offence to any person.

- There -

There is no doubt that there is a need for such a Movement

The raw Native child had all sorts of activities to keep him busy. He looked after the cattle and sheep, and in his spare time played one game or another, or was able to dance - or practice the art of fighting. This child has been taken out of his natural surroundings and sent to school. Provision is made for his intelec- tual development, but no provision whatever is made for his similar social development. No wonder that complaints are repeatedly made by parents that they are unable to control their children after school hour8. It is this need that the Movement is trying to meet, namely, the employment of his free time, not only to his own advantage but as well for the good of the whole community.

Another point raised by you,is namely, whether the Native approves of it. I must admit that in this connection we sometimes have trouble with unenlightened parents. To their mind the Movement looks too much like militarism, and they are afraid that their children will be called up for the first war. As soon as the parent realises that this is not the case all is well. And that is the reason why we have to be so careful with the commencement of the orchestra.

The Natives by nature are very fond of music and will do everything in their power to give a concert, in order to obtain the money for wind instruments and drums etc.

It is one of the rules that no one will bo prevented from Joining because he does not possess a uniform. On the contrary such a member is assisted to be thrifty, in or’er to save tne money and buy a uniform. They are encouraged to wea^ short khaki trousers and khaki shirts to school, as they are very neat and washable. It also prevents students from wearing clothes which they cannot afford.

In regard to the instructions given and the tests whichhave to be passed, you wilL find everything in our Regulations. It aslo helps the children in small things which they find difficult to understand and test them for themselves in the new surroundings of life which civilization brings to them. To mention an example. The Native finds it very difficult to understand that he should do a good deed, not in order to get money but Just to help his fellow-men. And through this Movement they are tought this easilty because it is one of the goals to which they strive. The Movement is bearing fruit.Last year a Native ooy on a bicycle in the Nothern Tvl. met a in a motor car who was in difficulty. The man gave him a note and asked him to fetch help a few uiles away, which he did, and on his return the gentleman was vary grateful and wanted to give him a few shillings but he refused and said that he was a Pathfinder.

- If the -

If the translation into Afrikaans of the title is sought I would, suggest a literal translation, "Padvinder" or "Baanbreker"

Sir, if this Report is of any use to you, I should consider the time spent thereon as very well spent.

Always at your service in regard to further information, translations, etc.

Yours faithfully,

(sgd.) G .J . DANNHAUSER.

36oart> of fUMsstons of tbc

D u t c h IReform eb C h u r c h of S o u t h H f n c a .

F r o m R E V D . J . R E Y N E K E , B . A .

G E N E R A L S E C R E T A R Y

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D . R . C . H e a d q u a r t e r s ,

V O O R T R E K K E R B U I L D I N G S .

V 1 S A G I E S T R E E T . P R E T O R I A .

P . O. B O X 4 3 3 . P H O N E S 3 4 6 4 A N D 8 7 8 3 .

A1 9 3

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The M'^finder Kov^went ».*»* atrted in in:# because ?*on~ vuror»j*n boy* vmm er.fer te Btnrt ’ooutinr &a it cede a groat appeel to *hem«There w r f serious dlffiot l' lr«~ In % say of ffon*rurcpeen boyc be?.n£ «>dn»lttnd ra

Scouts an?* po n ncrr ornenisation w s set up by <hr Trnnevael 'can it Council to

give the boy* the benefit* of couting ♦ o a o M r en? uructices* '’he ‘'ovnramt brloana *•© the 3r<nJh frican 'Cout (V e o f l - a body *#*ich ia independent of the con-'.rol of awy other bodj ‘south fr lce .

In the ’vthfIndwr svroent vw Ivt? Gelsured »n* Jnd*r« t e ell as Bantu boys# and wa are satisfied that ‘"•eo,-'* lag *v**a on « -'wel to the rs ential boy tJ»t no ©thpr or; r.ni < im dees. ic«v;tlnf *rw*ry * <j «aercly - 'lrt V-’en- o^pll ooeoatved, *>«* irf the fra it of the experience of worke?« of1 rlffioat eveT,

nr+t'Vf.'llty amongst boy* of a finest w ? nation rad colour* It la *enrt«m4‘iy adapting it#*If to no-/ needs and now sltuertioua. T h.«vr r>r:'ed rcsor sI bays In Warop* ond in south Africa unri I know that there ia eerie ocm on hunenSty rad •boymse* to Aiv&le aa to uec a trie*!-out seherte li-Ve Seotitit^ end to sdant it to speoial situations,

hat rre the land rs of the ivithfinder VgWMNKt elninjr at intheir «*erfc anongst Bants boy*?

1* o rcoa,;ni•?« that •*■'<•> V Jv>- boy is living In a ©hanging world and thutthe oroa^-currentn In tfativ© life rre bo>41dering to both old sm1 younc* Th«rc rre lar^n numbers of ’joyr. in ovir terms now end they are not eubjact to ~he old controls, hey booocjr difficult to manege# vicious, «nd non-dltoiplioed in the^r habit* and altogether "out of control"* ’% have pound tint testinany that the Pathfinder end >tyftrer Wovrrinntn pro suonlying just the kin ! of in^areata rtnd t:otivitiec i- ioh these boys end girls ne^d to oocu-w thair rinds, whiIt? thoy trrin tham in the aelf- ^l«o*r?lina that turns the® froc. hocligrnlga into ho Inful service* ?h« Pathfinder ayllpbua oonteina 70-P0 different feinda of ooen;>*ticms or akilla fJroc* ’vhieh t!\e boy# om choose the ectivitie# they tiiee* '(hay lenm to use their henda * a * » U n» their hewis* e edd neir "budges »a find thiaga th«t ney interest boys to do*

?* -'e believe thnt the ■soveriont is r.s edf.ptr^'*" ior the ^raervea *\a ^>11as for the to^na* A littl* riii!e *^o I ant. on e in the Joelonfcen

‘fvt w#Wr»S hours in conference with ^»onty Wativn >»^hfL*>dar r»«tsrs err! the hole of our tclk -e* concerned with •ways by rdiich the ^-wndf. and ih ngtMMI b<jya oould rerv ar aervioec in th« Reserves# 1 wee daltfhfced to hear *heae nen »*.wribe tha rwt'l effects of the Man— i t upon the boys - ho- thoy lc:>m to respect thrir elders, how they boo one more mannerly end helpful to others, ho"’ they aooenk the ne^ idep of voluntary servioe for others* e hfsve Tnfrr<Vfiiced “hedges" in herd»nenrfilp end other forwinf, our suits

i-nd we f*re tnost enxious thf>t Wetive boys in rural nreeB s?vp>.11 get inatruotion in theae* 3 heve appealed to the Director of native grlouKure to let the Denonatr^tore teaoh the boys for 1 an sure that

Pathfinders nuke excellent Rr<terial for trr-inir ’ in procreative* rrio'Id ural nsthods* - iVe ero’e^vour -

•/*> endeavour to enlist the support of the Chiefs* and vfaenever I visit a Peserve I make a point of os 1 ling on the Chief end asking

him to interest himself in the hoys*

3 , have numer us troops in areos where the bo^s live on Furopeattf'nfitta and we have every m ason for seying thst Pathfinders wake better servants on European forms* Somo farmers let us camp on their fr-rms

and supply us fith meat and vegetables*

a . believe that the spirit of the Movement end the instructionriven '.vill rake for obedience to lawful authority and for goodwill and co-oneration between the rac^s. ''here is no thought of rrcial

partisanship - suoh as "Siding with the English". This is quite foreign to the Movement, I hf>vo never heard it even hinted at by leaders. On one occasion in a Reserve 1 haard an Anti-Boer song of Bantu origin dating from the Boor ?fer. 1 banned it for Pathfinders.

-e are constantly endeavouring to adapt the syllabus and

orrenieation to the nee*? of the boys, *nd although we are a part of the ScoutKovement we have pr^otically oomplate control ol our own affairs* The . . .Ppthfinder Council consists of Europeans and Non-Europeans who are in daily touch

wit the liven of the boys.

Replying now to fcr. tfent^r’ s points$-

1 . Hr. Venter speaks of the Pathfinder i-ovement as a foreign Movement.Actually the Scout Movement had its origin in -friesn skills whioh the founder learnt from Africrns thc;nsclve3 both in 'est anc Sou oh Africa*

Ar, it stands te-day the Scout Movement is the product, of work amongst over 2 , 0 0 0 ,0 0 0 boys of every colour in every part of the v’orldj it is the greatest common iraeesure of boy life throughout the -world* The pctivi4lea arr the sort of thirds that any end every boy loves to do.It hau never been elleced that the Movement denationalises a boys no

bey is more loyrl to his ^roup then the boy "dth loout training.■^oro of U3 engaged in thn Pathfinder Movement rrr e«*er to use evarv possible Africfn institution or custom that can ba used for the fievlo >mcnt of thr boy into p. clean, heal+hy, t»ll-direinlinod happy

man, but has Mr* Venter any conception of the difficult nature of this tack, W« have tried ipany things but very often we have found strong opposition from Native leaders "ho poirt out that some of these customs are associated in Native minds with immoral practices*I h -vc not yet hod any eonelaint that the Movement does anything to

weaken a Native's sense of loyalty to his group* Emphaticallythe reverse. o te»ch him to ?ervn his own and to recognise his tribal

or group duties.

2* Th* terms used in tha Pathfinder Movement are English where theinstruction is Fngli#i 'vat vrts cnoourage instruotion through the^ vernacular. J s a matter of feet we are anxious to hRVe funds to

publish instructions! and other literature in the vernacular. Unfortunately, we hfve to run the Movement on very slender resources. Surelv iS*. Venter does not imagine that tho African Native is going to be" denied the right of adding to his vooabula.ry as his experience

extends. ’’Very language borrow fror other It6ttgn.es as new experiences have to be recorded und I am not yet prepared to admit that because a term is English it is necessarily unfit to be added to the vocabulary of a Native* I f he oannot understand the term then of course h i3 instructors have failed in their task? but I find

that he nuiokly ptbsps the meaning of Pathfinder terms. In pny ease there is no reason whatever why parallel or eix.ilsr tarms in the vernacular should not be used* It depends on +h« ins+ructor.

3 , The Pnthffender ovement does not lay more stress on loyalty

to the King than on loyalty to master or chief.

The Promise reeds as followst-

On mv honour I promise that I will do my bestf o do my duty to God, the ^ing , my Chief and my Country,

To help other people st nil times

To obey tho Pathfinder Law

The Laws which every boy must learn and is expected to folLow

to the best of his ability arei-

1. A Pathfinder’ s -

% Pathfinder ' 8 Hmvmt is to be trns+ed •■>, ^tthfiafar is ^oyel o the King* end to his Officers,

and to his Parents, h i« i'eu*ary, his Franloj^re, and to

those under him*% A lothfinder fs (fctfcy ia to he and fo S d p others*

A 'ftthf indcr i« a friend to - V , E;nd £ brctber to every i’athfinder# ne »netttr to vfcwt eeetal eler?* the o*h^r belongs*

% \ aihfinder la court< one*6# |!¥thf 1 TvVr is a friend to aniaele*7 , ; Pathfinder obejm orders of hit ->• rents, f-trol trader or

T’tothfinder Master n th o u t «o*stion*8* A ethfindor striios” ana tr'iistles under all difficulties .0* A Psthfinder is derm in thought# word nod deetf.

10. A Pathfinder is Thrifty, ou > -111 no*i«e thrt ),m * ? pad ? rof :>* Verier* f stetewcnt*

Since* under the Constitution the liar, is the head of' our State a Pattitfittder laua V !?;■ 1 s» h i** I f nd "hen the King ceas®3 to ho

the tawed of the state the nrosdee will he altered* not before# % do no* - nt \o five r>*thf iudcrs any c«r cnle of an evasive lose lty by

a fare of arosniTW? that i&noree the actual legel >oeition of tSw* King*

Tiho ?irj; is to b. obeyed .hrou .H the corr-ande of his r^nisters and

rarlifRHHttl.vthere the W atiw has no Chief the reference to Chief in the fVordLs© is emitted* £ut a expert trite-1 R&tives to include the Chief in

the roniee* ffowt afuny K**ivec in the free St*te hitvw a Chief? It should bo reoanoere that, jus* hr,K of the Native population litres outside the Peaerves - mast of th*w! iitheut Chiefs* i consider that tbtr • athf inder crow n t offere Oantu boye out aide th* -'ee erven the only training they ?**t in loyalty and ob*di*no* to * uthotfity.

I oen&ot sea .-ny jttstifioatit® ia?.tWii: for • *?■* banter’ s re • •. in peragr* ah I «nC I oaaaidor hi* reference to tiie "J^liah side” it to say the l««ot not at all happy*

4* Hy o«a aeresn&l e*.>ori*«ee wwrrincea m that JVthfindero Veore uehpronuer oi' thei* o«n people anti tore self-roepeeting vhtn they realise that they are not oensldered i*vT»rt*y to fee iinker up "4th boys of ell :-viinns at- colours*All efforts to revent Retivaa from sharinf In the institutions ofoiTilinaticm wska him wore det®r?dne4 to get the© end result In a vflronp sem e of values* Continual har,-»inip; upon hie inferiority m r-km his* so consoious of h i ‘* inferiority as to force hiis to oeny it by

vlaicdnK p riv ile g e he would no: other-'-'ise jref jk of asking* ihe purest w*y of eultivatiw the sense of nrtiorw 1 dignity is to let hin

feel t»it the development of ttation.*l pride need not deprive bin of

the benefit# of rn jnterrr-tionel nxyrc^nt*i*ut there is nothing i« the f’stkiindor J4trre»»«nt that oreveots it beta# identified rith the nr trim-1 life of th* Sfctivea* Tie swre tte pre helped to train Sat.ivf lenders the eaore surely w i U le*»d«rahip of the MffVWAPUt beocrno i>red«?dnantly <* tive or Coloured* already "ws

have oe-Tert" 1 Qi-triot Officers who are Betiv® end they show ^reet proftine* For boijr tl~ e ( 5ic)' *-ver, we ahpll Jiave to turn Furepesns for help*

5* Nobody decrnds of the Native thet lie develop siong uropean lines.He i t m tiSGTT- "H te— I f V^eune he feels the \xt*er inadeeurcy of Native invitations usv’.er rodcra o and it 5 one. 1 -dll mly too gladly try to incorporate Hstlve oustows rfcierever ^h»se are pra*tioable. T shall be glpd if Ur« venter Trill point Ao a «eoi<fl» stems hiesh oufht te Incor^^eted* Hithert® those rho h«w» hem Tte«istent rbout Ifttivea 'devrle^ag alcnr their om lives’' ha.ve beer very t'arr^ of er.-'ctiORl sur estions*

Mr# Venter gperks of oor^o and genes* i'-’e enoour? ne Kotivss

in the use of B»ntu «ow;a and f,anee ami nothing pleasee ne raore then to find

a troop using indigenous sonRs and r:n-nen. Efforts are I'eing rad« to collect them «nd 1 ttope that sora<» dny v n shall be rule to publish e bode of Afrioan

Soi^s ind G*:»ae hich rrill b.* fco us iadeoewkmt of the 3oout hook of Songs piv; 5«b»8* But there are Scout songs «nd games w»ioh j*re not w i l y African in

their origin and sob* goaes 'shioh fro thot^ht to bo niropean are actually

k n e w universally*

ttr* Venter wa«# 1 take it , talking to Soouts nnd not toPftthfindern* Scouts cannot olain to aoeek of or for ;*ithfiriders regarding

Pethfin^or «otivitiee*• As for -

. . . 0 As for th«“ virtues whioh Mr. Venter would like to seetaught to Bantu children, I can only say that everyone he mentions is specifically provided for in our syllabus.

I hope I have convinced you that there is no need for

a srf f r!\ e, Lbr aent amor£ Bantu b°ys. h i 1 st there are one or two ooints on which Mr. /enter's views differ from those of the leaders of the Pathfinder Movement - more Perhaps in the degree of emphasis than in the actual nature

^i f ^ereuc®i I believe that Mr. Venter’ s aims are on most ooints those Of '.he leaders of the Pathfinder Movement. He ehould I think take more pains to acquaint himsell with the aims and activities of the Pathfinder ivovement and I suggest that he communicate with either Mr. H .F .G . Kuschke Chief Inspector of Native Education, c /0 Education DPoartnent, Bloemfontein, or

* u V?n ^®Pec^ 1-,,arnia» Vice-Irincinal of the Dr. Viljoen Afrikaans Medium School, Bloemiontein, who is Divisional Pathfinder for the O .F .S . or with myself as Chief Pathfinder .

^ u a calamit\ i f an attempt were made to starta fuctional Movement among the Brntu. It would most oertainly be ascribed to a motive other th*m that which I assume to be Mr. Venter's. So far the

Pathfinder Movement has been the means of bringing together European, Bantu,

Coloured and Indian of widely differing views; another Movement would brine: in a new and deplorable spirit.

I think I ought to point out that the 'Executive of the Scout Movement - by which I take it Mr. Venter means the executive of the local association - has no authority whatever to consider an alternativeconstitution for the Pathfinder Movement ot for a new organisation. I may

say that the present "Policy, Rules and Organisation of the Pathfinder Movement" were only adopted in 1932 after nearly ten years of exoerimentation. VJhilst, of course, the constitution and rules of a Movement like this must never become too rigid and must change with changing conditions or es a result of greater exDerience, it must also be sufficiently definite and fixed to be a guide for those vho are working under the Movement. It mey interest you to know that the Pathfinder Movement is now well organised throughout the"thion,

the Protectorates and in Southern and Nortnern Rhodecia. In four divisions* it is under the direct guidance of Directors or Chief Insoectors of Native

Education v.ho are the Divisional Pathfinders. In three divisions the Divisional Ffethfinders are Resident Commissioners and in three other divisions the Divisional Pathfinders are engaged in educational work amon?-st the Natives. At the moment I pm consulting vrith the Chief Magistrate of the Transkei regarding a suitable leader for the Transkei.

As already mentioned sm increesing number of the district officers are Bantu. Steps ere also being taken to bring in leading Native Chiefs as honorary officers of the Movement.

Please tell Mr. Venter that I desire to harness his interest in Bantu boyhood to the Pathfinder Movement end urge him to realise that constructive criticism is al-.mys most effective when it is put forward constitutionally from within a Movement,

I sBsid you some literature but must express regret thatwe have had to hold up publications in Afrikaans end Bantu languages because of lack of funds. We hope soon to initiate a national campaign for funds

0( enable us to meet the heavy demands which the expansion of the Movement

make upon our organisation. There are nearly 12,000 Pathfinders and the number is growing steadily.

I sw satisfied that the Pathfinder Movement has alreadv proved its value as e steadying factor in Native l ife . Magistrate*, Nstfcre

Commissioners, Superintendents of Locations, Farmers, Missionaries as well as Native Chiefs, Ministers and Teachers testify that a Pathfinder troop makesprofound changes in a looality - the boys become obedient, resoectful and willing to serve. 6

Yours sincerely.

Older separate cover;

CHIEF PATHFINDER

Literature

Dear Professor,

i'he Executive of the Scout Moveanmt hag asked me to advise about t)\e rtosribilities of ? Pathfinder Movement eaiong the Native*, chiefly because I &us interested in Bantu Studies and because they believe that such a movement Trill out an end. to the misdeeds which are so prevalent among the Native children in these hard times.

Owing to their inclination to put the fccveraent on the lines of the English Scout Movement, I put to them the followingarguments against ttiieJ-

1* The Native would have to follow a foreign movement which would tear him even further away from his tribal associates, so that in spirit he 'will L»e neither liBlac&'‘ nur ’’White**.

?• The rvuive will be done art injustice because he will have forced on him a lot of English terms which he oannot understandand through which he will weke hiiaself doio of a laughingstock.

3* fi’he Soout and Pathfinder constitutions place more 3tress cn loyalty to the King then on loyalty to the waster or the Chief; thereby the Native drifts even further from M s tribe and hates the Afrikaner and farming community even more and is driven to the icnglish side, as a result of which more problems arise later for the farmer to deal with.

*+. because th« Hstive f.s r.ot given a national movement, he becomes a member of art international movement, and will have to have representation everywhere, a thing wfcioh the majority of the Afrikaaners will not agree to.

5* It i.j an injustice to the Kative to demand of him that he develop along European lines and an even greater injustice to take away from him his culture - all the oustoms and laws which his forefather? have left behind for him.

These points I plaaed before the Executive end after some argument it was agreed that the Bantu children should have a movement like the ,,3couts,, to tench them obedience, loyalty, help­fulness, cleanliness, purity, good habits, duty to one's neighbour, care of the body. All these things should be taught them.Only the movement must be on a national basis and consideration must be given to the rav material afforded by tho Native himself. 3o that for example, all the games whioh are European in origin (and therefore foareign to the K&tive) should be ret/laoet! by national games.

After this the Executive asked me to give them the necessary advice concerning this matter. This drove me intoa corner and I have sought your help. I shall be grateful to you if you will draft a constitution and send me useful literature; orelse will you refer me to someone else In case you ere too busy to express your own views of the influence of the Scout movenent, as it exists to-day, on the Bantu youth.

In order to give you a dearer conception of the matter I might mention that this is a mining town where the Scout Movement has become very strong ov?iug tc a predominantly iSnglish element. Other towns in the Free Stats support the Voortrekkers and I am in afraid of the future when the Voortrekkers will also work in this district. Therefore I shall be grateful to have your views on the matter and from an anthropological standpoint. The great majority of the Natives and Beohuana and Baralong.

Dear Professor,

The .&zecutive of the ^cout Movement has asked me toadvise about the possibilities of a Pathfinder Movement among theNatives, chiefly because I am interested in Bantu Studies andbecause they believe that such a movement will put an end to themisdeeds which are so prevalent among the Native children in these nara

Owing to their inclination to put ths Movement on the lines of the English Scout I'ovement, X put to them the following arguments against this:-

Native 7.ould have tc iollow a foi*eign movement which would tear hi® even further away frcm his tribal associates, so that in spirit he will be neither rtBlack" nor “White11.

2. The Native will be done an Injustice because he will have xorcect on nim a lot of inglieh terms which he cannot understandand through which he will wake himself icors of a laughingstock.

.3. The Scout and Pathfinder constitutions place more stress on loyalty tc the ling than on loyalty to the Master or the Chief; thereby the Native drifts evsn further from his tribe and hates v and farming community even more Mid is driven to

the English side, as a result of which mere problems arise later for the farmer to deal with.

% Because the Native is not given a national movement, he becomes a member of an international movement, and will have to nave representation everywhere, a thing rhich the majority of the Africaners will not a - r jr e e to.

5. It is an injustice to the Native to deiuand of hi* that he -evelop a^ong European lines and an even greater injustice to take away from hi;a his culture - all the customs and laws which his lorefathersr have left behind for him.

fhess points I placed before the febceoutive nnd after some argument it was agreed that the Bantu children should have a movement like the "Scouts'* to teach them obedience, loyal tv, help­fulness, cleanliness, purity, good habits, duty to one’s neighbour, care of t ie body. All these things should be taught them.Only the move.Bent must be on v national basis and consideration must be given to the raw material afforded by the Native himself. So that for example, £.11 the games which are European in origin (end thsj.exoxo i o r e x g u to the Native/ should be replaced bv national games.

After this the Executive asked me to give them the necessary advice concerning this matter. This Irove me into a corner and I have sought your help. I shall be grateful to you if you will draft a constitution and send me useful literature; or ej.se will you refer me to someone else in case you are too busy to express your own views of the Influence of the Scout movement, as it exists to—day, on the Bantu youth,

lT1 order to give you a clearer conception of the matter I rnignt mention that this is a mining town where the Scout Movement has become very strong owing to a predominantly English element, other towns in the Free State support the Voortrekkers and I am 4ft afraid of the future when the Voortrekkers will also work in this district. There!ore I shall be grateful to ha.^e your views on the matter and from an anthropological standpoint. The great majority of the Natives and Bechuana and ^aralong.

Collection Number: AD1715

SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTE OF RACE RELATIONS (SAIRR), 1892-1974

PUBLISHER: Collection Funder:- Atlantic Philanthropies Foundation

Publisher:- Historical Papers Research Archive

Location:- Johannesburg

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