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photographs by Liesl de Weerd
click to see full-sized image
This pioneering sculpture was created by a Scout named Ruan from 1st Horison, a Scout group on the West Rand near Johannesburg in South Africa (map below).
Ruan is working towards Springbok Scout – the highest rank in Scouts South Africa, like our Eagle Scout. One of the requirements for Springbok is a construction project (there’s also a service project).
Ruan designed and led a team of Scouts to build this structure with inspiration from Israeli pioneering sculptures (here they are on Ropes and Poles, and ScoutamsterCG) to raise awareness for Rhino conservation.
The number of rhinos lost to poaching in South Africa is truly shocking, and has been growing steadily over the past few years. Rhino Action Group Effort (RAGE) is a committee of volunteer experts (ecologists, game reserve owners, members of government, media professionals, economists etc.) who build public awareness of issues associated with rhino poaching and assign the donations they receive to proven anti-poaching initiatives. How to contribute to RAGE
Well done Ruan! On to Springbok!
Via Peter Le Roux’s excellent Ropes and Poles blog. Listen to my interview with Peter on Scoutmaster Podcast 86
View West Rand in a larger map
I though it was a Star Wars AT-AT at first. Our troop is really into pioneering, but we have two issues. First living in this part of Oklahoma we don’t have very many straight trees, could really use some help in getting some. Second, the ranger at our district campground will not allow any scout to get over shoulder height off the ground unless he is on a belay, which makes building a tower very difficult.
This looks like it was a happy undertaking. Thanks for sharing it. This structure is not just a sculpture, it’s also a rhino tower!