On 11th Aug 2023 Greater London South East Sector ACF departed the UK – destination South Africa. The objective to have an adventure of a life time. To give young people the opportunity to experience being in the wild, learning about the importance of animal and land conservation. The aim of the expedition was to give Cadets and CFAVs an overseas expedition this involved Adventurous training, battlefield tours and safari activities.
“The team is well. High spirts all round. We are excited. I feel safe, I’m happy I am going on this trip of a life time with these people”
Cdt Swan
Background
The journey started in 2020 and stopped, when Covid19 put us into lockdown. In 2022, we got the go ahead to once again start planning for our trip. After a successful parent/ guardian information evening attended by over 100 cadets, we held selection events to assess the cadet’s physical ability, team work, decision making under pressure, fitness and a series of personality tests to ensure we had a dynamic team. 24 Cadets along with 6 Cadet Force Adult Volunteers were selected to form the final team.
The expedition was to take place at KwaZulu -Natal province, South Africa during the period 11th-25th Aug 2023 –From this point we started fundraising. The only real barrier to many of our cadets attending the expedition would be finance and they were encouraged to fund raise e.g. by writing letters to various affiliations, companies etc, creating personal challenges, delivering presentations at to their place of employment, etc. The cadets were keen to get themselves both physically and mentally prepared for the expedition and spent just over 10 months preparing themselves, this included expedition walks, kit prep, hygiene sessions on staying clean, fit and well.
The team comprised cadets aged between 14-18 with a mixture of cadet training abilities. For our CFAVs along with their standard military cadet training we had a wealth of experience, previous overseas expedition and mountain leaders. Regardless of experience the selected CFAVs were there to ensure the cadets had an adventure of a lifetime, in a fun, safe and engaging environment.
Days 1-3 Somkhanda Bush Camp
On arrival the team were collected and safely transferred to Somkhanda Big 5 game reserve. The Big 5 are elephant, rhino (black and white rhino), leopard, lion, buffalo. Driving into camp we were experiencing our first African sunset. Miraculously we sighted several rhinos, one of the guides saying ‘This never normally happens, we must be a lucky team?’ we took this as a good sign for setting the tone of the trip. We were met by the most amazing team of guides from the ‘Bhajane Nature Team’ and were briefed on what to expect over the next few days, our accommodation, animal safety and given time to acclimatise. During this briefing we were told to stay in our tents at night, as animals roam freely -we didn’t need to be told twice!
After a hearty traditional Zulu meal Phutu- a maize meal served with meat and vegetables, we settled down for the night. During the night all you could see was a blanket of stars across the sky and every so often hear the roar of the Lions, the movement of the elephants as they moved through the trees.
The animals rise at dawn and so did we. Once all morning routines were completed – wash, eat a hearty Zulu breakfast, receive the morning briefing about the day’s activity, reminders to drink water, apply sunscreen and keep hands and feet inside the vehicle – we set off into the wild.
Team 1 travelled out in the safari vehicles looking out for the Big 5 and Team 2 left camp on foot, trekking through the reserve, walking a similar route, yes – walking! Guiding and protecting us were 2 very experienced and highly skilled trekking guides, one at the front and one at the back ensuring our safety at all times.
Throughout the long hot day, the team were fortunate to see giraffe, zebra,rRhinos and buffalo. Seeing these animals in their natural environment literally metres away was simply remarkable. That evening returning to camp we sat around the fire, with giant marshmallows and made Zulu bread. The cadets star grazed and sang ‘Riptide’ all night.
Day 2 the teams set out at dawn to see more of the Big 5. This time we found elephant tracks and evidence of a lion waiting and watching over the watering hole. We saw a family of warthogs bathing in a mud pool trying to cool down from the African sun. Later that day the team were taken on a night safari and, if being in the wild during the day wasn’t scary enough, everyone’s heart rate was firmly in triple figures.
Whilst out during the day, guides showed and explained that the land is our pharmacy and nearly every tree, bush and leave can be used to cure or soothe an alignment. We were introduced to a leaf called ‘The Fever Mint’ and during the evening we were treated to a warm cup of Fever Mint tea.
Days 3-6 Islandlwana battlefield locations- Rorke’s drift battlefield and key locations
The temperature is gradually creeping up, now 21-25 degrees. We set off early saying an emotional goodbye to the Bhajane team. It was a short stay but we felt as though we had known them for ages. We travelled to our second camp the beautiful and idyllic ‘Elandsheim retreat’ set in the valley of the mountains.
Here we spent two days visiting and walking the battlefields of the Anglo Zulu war-1879. The tour started in Islandlwana where we met a Zulu warrior whose job it is to pass the stories on and traditions of the Zulu people. Here we walked the battlefields and the cadets led a poignant parade, along with appropriate readings followed by a minute silence to remember the fallen soldiers on both sides.
Day two we spent the day at Rorke’s drift, again walking the route emersed in the story telling of our guide, taking us from one location to another. Our final destination was to the memorial of Rorke’s drift, again cadets led a fitting tribute to the fallen soldiers on the battlefield of ‘Rorke’s drift.’
During the cold evenings cadets gathered around the open fire without mobile phones and sang songs, drew pictures, played cards, talked to each other or simply sat and star gazed. Taking the time to participate in simply activities gave the cadets an opportunity to unwind and immerse themselves in the moment. Sat around the fire one cadet is heard saying ‘Guys a shooting Star!’ another responds ‘that’s an aeroplane my love’ This was to be the tone of evenings around the fire.
Days 6-13 Tugela River bush camp -Zingela
Another early start. As we break down camp and say a fond farewell to our host, the team leave the beautiful Elandsheim to embark on a 5hr journey to our next camp. On arrival we are met by the Zingela conservation team and a number of staff who would be looking after us. Here the remainder of our expedition was planned to cover the following activities.
Giraffe field study – After a briefing about giraffe conservation the team was spilt into trekking teams to track, locate, ID and learn about all thing’s conservation. We were fortunate to find a calf not already in the data base and so we named her ‘Octavia Hill’ after the founder of the ACF in the mid-19th century. The most spectacular part of this day was sat on a track waiting, watching, then suddenly a tower of giraffes walk past literally a stone throw in front of us, something I am certain we will never forget. During the evening cadets shared their findings and helped to update the data base. The evenings are cold, so again the team take the opportunity to gather around the fire and sit and share stories from the day’s sightings.
Mkhandane school visit, including river crossing and 8km hike to the school
An early start to cross the river by boat and then trek 8kms up and over the mountains to a remote Zulu village primary school. It was an arduous walk and arguably the hottest day we had experienced in South Africa. The cadets showed an indomitable spirit and pushed through. The rewards were to spend a day at the school having a cultural learning experience, engaging with the children and taking time to share stories. Keeping in with local traditions the girls played netball and the boys played football.
The final scores: Netball UK Girls 5 – Zulu Girls 4
Football Zulu Boys 2 – UK Boys 1 (this was an own goal, Lol!)
During our short stay the local children sang a variety of songs to us, this was definitely a goose bump moment. The team repaid the compliment by performing the popular dance routine ‘The electric slide, also known as ‘Candy’ a line dance regularly performed by 7 Company GLSES back in the UK.
As we departed the school the children again gathered and said a prayer in the form of a song to wish us a safe and onward journey. Some of the cadets were deeply moved from spending the day with the children. During the evenings daily feedback many spoke about how they felt gratitude for their own life’s and seeing what little the children have but were still able to be so happy, put things into perspective for them.
Bush walk, water safety swim test and kayak day
Today the team carried out a water safety test to ensure they will be safe on the water. This was followed by a day kayaking down the Tugela River.
Today the team trekked alongside the Tugela River to the start point of what was to be a day full of laughing, splashing around, capsizing, a few disagreements, but many triumphant moments for not falling in. As we set off down river taking on the rapids under the direction of the Zinglea staff, both cadets and CFAVs had the most exciting day. One of the best moments of the day was witnessing a cadet who started off scared of the water, confidently spend the day kayaking and helping others by demonstrating how to paddle correctly. During the late afternoon cadets participated in a team challenge called the ‘Spider’s web.’ A challenge that took them nearly 3 hours to complete, the idea is to get all members of the team through a variety of different sized wholes without touching any part of the web, (the rope).
River water testing and Raft building
The weather is getting hotter and the cadets are getting tired so we decide to stay in camp, this doesn’t mean we get to do nothing all day, instead we participate in a morning activity of the SA water safety programme. This comprises of cadet being split into teams walking out into the river at designated points and collecting samples from rocks of microcrustaceans living the water to check water quality.
After a somewhat relaxed afternoon the cadets move onto raft building. The task is to build a raft from a variety material, carry that raft to the water, get the team on and float. The next challenge was to paddle to a given point and return without capsizing. I am pleased to report they did not capsize. Using a variety of skills within the team they managed to plan, discuss, and execute the mission to build the raft, not without disagreement, but this is all a part of the soft skills in negotiation.
Ganahoek school visit
The final day at Zingela we travel to another school to spend the morning engaging with the school children. Similarly, to the previous school the cadets spent their time playing games with the younger children, platting hair, singing songs and the girls played Netball and boys played Football.
Final scores this time:
Netball UK Girls 15 – Zulu Girls 13
Football UK Boys (and 2 girls who stood in for the team) 2 – Zulu Boys 2
Once again, we returned the gesture to our host by performing ‘Candy’, this time much more rehearsed along with some additional moves, doffing our hats to our host, this was well received.
It was the last night before leaving what had been our home of peace and tranquillity for the last four days. After having a lovely meal and a special treat of Zulu popcorn, we spent the evening cleaning camp, packing and taking the time to reflect on our epic adventure.
One of our CFAVs, a veteran, had this to say:
“I enjoyed working with the cadets and seeing how they have grown throughout the two weeks and how the expedition brought out other attributes the cadets had.”
Veteran Adult under officer- Delaney
During our stay here every morning the cadets would walk down to the river and find a space on their own and sit in silence and set their intentions for the day. This allowed them to focus for a short while on just being in the moment.
The morning of our departure we visited the river one last time to thank mother nature for being so kind to us, to reflect on the last two weeks and recognise the growth within the team. For some this was an emotional moment as said by one cadet
“If we were in the UK, a group of teenagers sat on a rock throwing pebbles into the water we would be seen as a nuisance, yet here it’s so natural to do this and encouraged!”
A Cadet
The whole journey from start to finish has been a true blessing for a number of reasons. We didn’t get to travel here in 2020 and the team selected then aged out. So those who made the team this time round know they are very fortunate. For every single cadet and adult who attended the expedition they will have learnt something new about themselves. Not least being resilient to unfamiliar surroundings, new foods, people, animals and at times a challenging environment. But where there were challenges and sometimes even fear, there were moments of triumph and celebrations. Everyone achieved something greater than they believed they could. For many of the cadets they have and still express an interest in returning to South Africa to help support the conservation work that is happening there. For some it has put their own lives into perspective and given them a thirst for adventure beyond their bedroom.
I and the other CFAVs had the pleasure and honour to witness the growth during the two weeks of each individual cadet. One thing is for sure having this opportunity has sparked a spirit of adventure.
“The world is a big place but can feel so small if you only look through a key hole.”
Lt Col K
The entire team are truly grateful to have been given this opportunity. Made possible only by the many donations, the largest donation came from the Ulysses Trust and for this we will always be truly grateful. To all of our family, friends and donors we sincerely thank you for making this all possible!
The legacy
The older cadets are looking into returning to South Africa next year to join the conservation team to help, support and continue the much-needed work to ensure the South African Giraffes are kept safe and thrive in their natural habitat. For our junior cadets, the true spirit of adventure has been lite and they are now ambassadors for their peers encouraging others to take up the fantastic opportunities the ACF has to offer. They have learnt so many life skills mostly the soft skills needed to attract future employers. They have shown they can adapt and be self-sufficient. They can negotiate, reason, support and most of all just be in the moment taking in the beauty of the natural earth around them. They have learnt that all of life is intertwined at some point and we need to be kind to the natural world and do what we can home and aboard to protect it.
A famous Zulu Saying-Now Now, pronounced nau-nau (A South African unit of time that can mean anything from right now to just now, depending on the context)
I say to our young people;
“If not now now, then when? The adventure continues.”
The Ulysses Trust also wish to thank the generosity of Army Sport for supporting this expedition britisharmysport.com
