This report covers the activities, locations, accommodation, safeguarding and logistics of the expedition, broken down into phases, to highlight, the experience had by the cadets and cadet force adult volunteers alike from Warwickshire and West Midlands (SS) ACF and Core Education Trust CCF. It must be noted that this expedition was planned to take place in 2022 however due COVID the decision was made to reschedule until 2023 allowing COVID to run it course and allowing extended time to fundraise.
Pre –Tour Preparation
The preparation in the UK was extensive. Warwickshire and West Midlands (SS) ACF and Core Education Trust CCF staff ran a total of 4 parent/cares meetings face to face 2 zoom meetings, with Wild Tours (AWT) Leader, Angus Wingfield participating in 2 meetings face to face and 2 on zoom., There were 5 selection/training weekends, these were vital to ensure that the right cadets and CFAV were selected and that those selected would get something positive from the experience. The cadets and CFAV were from a cross section. Cadets on free school meals, from the travelling community some from single parents in and out of employment alongside cadets with SEN special educational needs who often not offered any positive life experience due to the nature of their behaviour or deemed “too much hard work to manage. This trip was to be inclusive and not exclusive.
Phase 1: Arrival in South Africa
Following a sleepless night at the cadet training centre- Bramcote the journey to London Heathrow and a 14 hour flight the group were met at O.R Tambo International airport, Johannesburg by Wild Tours (AWT) Leader, Angus Wingfield and our drivers for the duration of the expeditions three years in the making and J45 arrived safe with not issue not even a suitcase overweight .
Transfer to first camp –
Phase 1 19 – 23 August 2023
The journey to Somkhanda was taken by motorways in 3 mini buses then transferred to 4×4 to travel off road to the game reserve.
Accommodation
Two person canvas dome tents for cadets and CFAV’s. all tents were spacious.
Duration
Four nights
Briefings
Camp orientation
Activity and Guides briefings prior to each activity.
Each evening after evening meal whilst at the table reflection on the day and evening briefing for the following day.
Safari Drive – day
Cadets and CFAV’s travelled in 4 x 4’s deep into the bush, the aim was to locate and photograph big game, each group that went out seen at least one of the big 5. Throughout the drives the only big 5 not seen was the cheater each group got to see at lease a lion, elephant, rhino or buffalo some groups got to see then up close. An eye opening experience for many cadets an CFAVs.
Safari Drive – Night
The same as the day drive, cadets and CFAV’s travelled in 4 x 4’s deep into the bush, with the he aim was to find a follow all types of game on the reserve, the cadets were again lucky they managed to locate more of the big 5 and other game. However not every night drive was successful s one group after 2 hours returned seeing nothing one night.
Group rotation
Bush walks
Under the guidance of armed rangers cadets and CFAV’s were taken into the bush to track big game, they completed a 12km circuit which started and ended at base camp which also include the giraffe conservation and recognising the making on the giraffe and learning that each giraffe have their own marking and each giraffe has a letter within their patterning. One group managed to get some perfect photos of baby giraffes whilst another group got the opportunity to name a Giraffe, naming him Freddie as the letter F was in his pattern.
Phase 2 Battlefield Tour 24 -27 August 2023
Departing Somakoa travel to Elandsheim
The journey to the Elandsheim was taken by 4×4 out off the bush then transferred to 3 mini bused via bush gravel roads tarmacked roads, on arrival they were met by the venue managers and helpers.. The cadets and CFAV’s were shown to their accommodation and then transported to head to the Buffalo River
Accommodation
Raised thatched huts accommodating varying from two to eight, central dining area, social fire pit.
Duration
Three nights
Briefings
Camp orientation
Activity and Guides briefings
Each evening after evening meal whilst at the table reflection on the day and evening briefing for the following day.
Home Meah Orphanage
On route to Elandsheim the plan was to drop into Home Meah Orphanage for an hour to leave the donation that we had collected
Home Meah children’s orphanage in situated in Newcastle, KwaZulu Natal area of South Africa, a home for abandoned children aged from birth to 5 years old, run solely from national and international donations housing 25 children. Whilst we were there, we discovered that the orphanage only had food for the next 3 days. Armed with sad information Angus and a number of CFAVs used personal money and went to a local warehouse and purchase food, nappies, milk formula for the children whilst the cadets and CFAVs played and feed the children until we returned some 2 hours later.
Whilst out shopping our visitors had flown in and by error of the driver taking the wrong turning ended up at Home Meah unplanned whilst we were out shopping. They too were taken back by the lack of food for the children.
‘Visiting Home Meah orphanage today definitely opened the eyes of many cadets and members of the ACF. Interacting with the children and seeing how they make things work with such little was an emotional experience for sure.’ Cdt SSgt Rhiannon Astle-Kelly.
Walking into the pantry seeing just 3 tins of formula couple packets of nappies and very little else brought me to tears, knowing back home I have 1 child and a pantry full of food to excess. I could not and would not of left Home Meah Orphanage without doing something. LT Col Notice
Arriving very late at Elandsheim the cadets and CFAVs where emotional excused but keen for the next phase Rorkes Drift and the visit to the school.
During the 3 days stay a lot was achieved we visited:
Isandhlwana
The cadets and CFAV’s were taken to the mountain where the main battle took place; they were given first class explanations and lectures from the vantage point of the mountain. The county padre delivered a church service at the British memorial to remember the fallen at Isandhlwana.
Fugitives Trail route
The cadets and CFAV’s then took part in walking the (Fugitives trail), a 16km route back towards Rorke’s Drift, they followed the route Melville and Coghill took to Buffalo River, to save the colours of the 24th (2nd Warwickshire Regt). As the river had risen, it was advised that we did not attempt to cross it, taking a different route the cadets and CFAVs got to a advantage point where they could see below the full beauty of the Buffalo River before retuning back to the trail.
Rorke’s Drift
The tour guild XX was a wealth of knowledge and very passionate about the history, this infused the cadets to listen and focus and fully engage in the tour and embrace the history.
Whilst at Elandsheim the cadets would spend the evening planning the artwork for Ikhayo Lethu orphanage, completing drawings and making life size stencils from cardboard from the kitchens. This paid dividend as on the next phase saving valuable hours.
Phase 3 27 August to 1 September 2023
The journey to Zingela was taken by motorways in 3 mini buses then transferred to 4×4 to travel off road to the game reserve.
Accommodation
A combination of 3 to 4 person tents for cadets and some CFAVs and some building sleeping 3 CFAVs for others
Duration
Four nights
Briefings
Camp orientation
Activity and Guides briefings prior to each activity.
Each evening after evening meal whilst at the table reflection on the day and evening briefing for the following day, alongside cadets complete the reflection book from that day.
Each day after breakfast, the cadets and CFAV’s would found a place to sit by the river and have time to themselves to reflect and prepare for the morning adventures. A very peaceful and tranquil moment each day.
Animal tracking and identification
Safely walking and hiking in the bush of the Zingela Game Reserve with the guides was something that quickly became part of everyday life. Animal species such as Impala, Nyyala, Kudu, Zebra, Giraffe and warthogs would be regularly identified. The cadets were split into groups at various times in order to best accomplish the tasks but also to move around relatively silently so to get the best animal sightings.
River orientation
Cadets and CFAV’s were given lessons on river flow as we would see them crossing the river to reach the school, under a river guide Devan they were all shown how the control a kayak, float in the water if there were to fall out and practised moving in pairs following the flow of the river, this the cadets enjoyed in the heat of the sun.
School visit to Ntokozo
We visited Ntokozo which is a remote school in an isolated village community. The cadets and CFAVs had to walk 14km in the South Africa heat across mountainous terrain to reach the school, but it was worth it. When we arrived, we were greeted by the children and teachers singing and dancing, encouraging us to join in, which made us feel very welcome. We took sports equipment with us, so the cadets played football, netball, cricket, and rounders with the school children. The cadets performed their Waka Waka dance again to the delight of the children and teachers who joined in to share the fun and laughter and make this a memorable day for everyone. ‘
The children were fascinated with the doom it was some time before the children released that it was been controlled by one of the CFAVs. Our parting gift was to leave a photo album of the cadet’s life in the UK.
The day was filled with emotion and joy, everyone engaged, a lovely time was had by all, on return to base camp the cadets and CFAV’s had the chance to reflect around an open fire on this day the reflection was led by the padre. The trip was incredible and going into the schools & orphanages was a completely new and both sad and uplifting experience.’ Cdt Emily Stitson.
Orphanage 2
The second orphanage we visited was Colenso. Here the cadets brightened up the walls of an outside play area for the children by painting Disney characters, animals, flowers, spaceships, and lots more. The cadets put loads of effort into planning their themes and making stencils from scratch and preparing has much as possible before getting too the orphanage and this was evident in the excellent results which they completed in just one day. It was lovely to see the children’s faces light up when they saw the artwork. ‘Today was such an amazing day. We went to the school and did the paintings and seeing the kids come back from school and seeing the paintings was so emotional and playing with them with my camera made me tear up.’ Cdt LCpl Harvey Dainty.
Giraffe conservation
The groups were split in two and rotated through a morning and afternoon session, one of these sessions was Giraffe conservation, the cadets and CFAV’s got the chance to track and take photos, some of them got really close
Homeward bound 1 2023 September
On the last day just hours, before we were due to fly I received an email delaying our flights by 4 hours. Despite the delay, South Africa Wild trail arranged for late departure form camp resulting to less time at O.R Tambo International airport, Johannesburg. The CFAVs and cadets simple accepted the delay and behavied impeccably during their extend stay. Back in the UK, arrangements were made for the coach to arrive at Heathrow later and parents informed. The 12 hours flight was pleasant with most of the cadets and CFAVs sleeping for a few hours some only waking to eat.
Arriving back at Bramcote to parents applauding the groups was heart we had arrived home safe and well.
C
Summary
Having been a part of Jo-burgh 42 in 2019 I know what to except however it never took away the experiences, joy or the emotions a felt the first time. This time as a group leader my responsibilities totally changed from a section leader this I fully embraced and enjoyed. Jo-burgh 45 was a success and having visitor join us in week 1 for 7 day was nice for everyone.
For me personally I fully achieved my aim to carry on the legacy of engaging in the community in South Africa moving forward I wish for form firm positive support links to Home Meah Orphanage and support this orphanage thought-out the year and not just every 3 years.
The cadets and CFAVs have had life enhancing experience with memories that will last a lifetime and the South African community have benefited from our community engagement. The cadet experience was achieved in so many ways.
The Ulysses Trust also wish to thank the generosity of Army Sport for supporting this expedition britisharmysport.com