Many of us pass through life making ripples that mean little. Others go about their business quietly, but touch more lives than seems humanly possible. Garnet de la Hunt, who passed away at his Durbanville home just before midnight last night, was most definitely among the latter.
For most outside of the Scouting circle, the name won’t register. Garnet preferred to live away from the spotlight. But within Scouting he was a giant. He was dedicated to a movement, born in South Africa, that continues to transform the lives of young lads everywhere. Some 32 million of them worldwide.
It was my privilege to be tapped by Garnet last year to join the board of Scouts South Africa. Having been one of those boys who was put on the right path by the movement, it was an offer that I would never have been able to even think of refusing.
Ever feisty, he was also realistic about his rapidly fading health. His last assignment, he told me, was to ensure Scouts SA was left in good hands. He worked tirelessly to effect a difficult restructuring, to draw in a new board of directors and find and help appoint a new Chief Scout supported by a highly efficient commissioner.
Among my regrets was that Jeanette and I visited with Garnet and his Virginia at their home only once. But it was an afternoon to remember. Seated in his armchair, Garnet’s eyes shone like one many years younger, especially when he started sharing the life and thoughts of “BP” – Scouting’s founder, Lord Robert Baden-Powell. He reminded me of someone from a different age, a man of honour, of integrity, of service. The kind of person we all aspire to become but, sadly, rarely do.
The last time we saw each other was at my first Scouts SA board meeting. I got a little lost so arrived at chairman Bongani Khumalo’s Midrand offices a few minutes late. Garnet insisted that the meeting indulge me. He led the new Chief Scout Sibusiso Vilane through the Scout Promise, gave me some strong encouragement on an area where he felt action was needed, and sat back to let the rest of us take the reins.
Farewell Garnet. It is my fervent hope that I can live up to your expectations.
Here is the email that was sent to members of the board by CEO of Scouts SA, Milly Siebrits:
“It is with sadness that I need to inform you that Garnet de la Hunt has Gone Home last night at 11:50.
“Try to leave this world a little better than you found it”, said Baden Powell. Garnet was a man who has actively done his best throughout his life to empower and support generations of young South Africans within the Scouting Movement.
Despite his on-going battle with cancer, Garnet still actively participated in the running, reform and development of our Scouting Movement. He was not only our chairman, Board member, but also our advisor and friend. With his wisdom, humour and wit it was always a pleasure to be in his company and he was instrumental in safeguarding our values and principles as he knows Baden Powell’s teachings like no other.
Garnet has been a key player within the Scout Movement on a national and international level for decades. He has shown global leaders that South Africans are people with integrity, courage, tolerance, respect, determination and heart. Before the age of 16, he received the King’s Scout badge. In 1976 he played a key role in uniting the four Scout Movements into one unified non-racial entity, despite the political regime of segregation. In 1977 he was elected Provincial Commissioner for the Western Cape. In 1985 he became the Chief Scout of South Africa.
Internationally people noticed the progressive and innovative nature of Scouting in South Africa. WOSM elected Garnet as the first person from South Africa to be the Vice Chairman of the Africa Region Committee from 1990 to 1996 and in 1999 South Africa hosted the World Scout Conference in Durban. It was at this conference that he was elected Chairman of the World Scout Committee, a first for Southern Africa. Until recently Garnet was still a board member of the World Scout Foundation.
As a Scout, a leader, a trainer and chairman he has inspired, taught and supported generations of South Africans that have made good citizenship, duty to God, duty to others and duty to country a way of life. As a member of the task force that drafted the WOSM publication “What is Scouting”, he redefined and updated Baden Powell’s fundamental values and principles that guide over 32 million children and youths in over 161 countries worldwide today. For his services to Scouting – amongst others – he was awarded the Order of the Silver Springbok in South Africa, The Silver Wolf from the Swedish Scout Association in recognition of his service to International Scouting and the Bronze Wolf from WOSM in recognition of his service to World Scouting. These awards are only given to people that have provided a lifetime of selfless and voluntary service to the upliftment and service of youth and country.
Last year Garnet was awarded the prestigious Presidential Silver Grand Counsellor of the Order of the Baobab for his work he did in Scouting.
Additional to his service to Scouting, Garnet was a successful entrepreneur, a long time Methodist Lay Preacher and served in various management roles within the Methodist Church as well as the Scripture Union of South Africa.
Garnet was an inspiration to those who knew him and to many young people throughout the Movement who in turn are doing their best to inspire and empower others and his legacy will live on.
Our prayers are with Virginia, Clinton, Lee-Ann, Julian, Lisa and his grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements are not yet known, but we will inform you as soon as it is available.”
