Voortrekkers trek back to the Cape
For the past 20 years the Voortrekkers, a youth training organisation similar to the Scouts, based upon their ABC code, the Afrikaans language, community service and Christianity, have held an annual ‘sea camp’ at the Swartvlei Caravan and Camping site at Sedgefield.
This year, their 21st anniversary attracted a total of 380 children and 90 adults. The majority travelled form the Gauteng region by bus, some in their own vehicles, and were joined in Sedgefield by others from the Western and Southern Cape. The camp commenced on Saturday, June 22 and concluded on June 29.
The camp, in ex-Army tents, a former circus tent and a tent to serve as an officers’ wardroom, is large and well-organised, the girls is to one side, the boys to the other. During a visit to the camp on the Sunday afternoon, wonderful aromas from the galley drifted on the evening air as they prepared for the Sunset Ceremony, the lowering of the flags. An adult training course for those who will be leaders and instructors in the future is run concurrently with the youngsters’ camp by Nicol Jacobs assisted by Karin de Wall.
The camp leader for the youngsters is Tekkies Kotze, a dedicated volunteer, bravely fighting off a serious back injury until the camp is over, who is assisted by his admin officer, his wife. As the camp is held beside the vlei, it is run as a ship, and Kotze is ‘die skeepskaptein’ (sea captain).
The youngsters participate in a full programme of fun and learning over the seven days. To reinforce the maritime flavour of the camp Nicol Jacobs requested help from the Knysna Sea Cadet Unit at the colours ceremony at 08:00 and sunset at 18:23. He invited the Officer Commanding Steven Eriksen to visit the camp with an Afrikaans-speaking junior officer, Charl Laminie.
They were requested to explain the customs and procedures of the Naval ceremonies, while dressed in their Sea Cadet uniforms which closely resemble those of the South African Navy. They discussed the origins of the colours ceremony, going back centuries, the use of the Bosuns call to relay orders to the crew, and the ship’s bell utilised by the duty watch, eventually culminating in the sunset ceremony. They were thanked by the camp organisers, and promises for closer co-operation during next year’s camp were made by both parties.
‘We bring you the latest Knysna | Garden Route news’
Source: Knysna-Plett Herald