The South African Navy (SAN) has hosted 19 Sea Cadets at a leadership camp for Sea Cadets from across the country.
The Navy said the cadets were from TS (Training Ship) Tiburan (Durban), TS Woltemade (Muizenberg), TS Root (Krugersdorp), TS Springs (Springs), TS Knysna (Knysna), TS Bounty (Vereeniging), and TS Outeniqua (Mossel Bay).
The group arrived in Simon’s Town on 16 June (Youth Day) and was welcomed by the Officer Commanding SAS Simonsberg, Captain Judy Rustin-Patrick. The Cadet units selected class leaders to represent their respective units. Seven of the fifteen active Cadet units in the country sent representatives. SAS Simonsberg ran the Cadet’s programme as part of project Tshintsha which is the SA Navy’s celebration of 25 years of democracy.
The Sea Cadets are part of SA Navy’s social responsibility. The Cadet units provide learners 13 to 18 years old with necessary skills required to joining the SA Navy, merchant navy, fishing fleet, ship building or related industries. As they see themselves as junior Navy, their uniform, drill and culture emulate that of the SA Navy. Their activities appeal to school-going boys and girls from grade 6 to grade 12. Training takes place mostly on Friday or Saturday nights, supported by school vacation leadership camps, the SA Navy said.
The SA Navy has a number of personnel who were once Sea Cadets, some of whom gave motivational talks during the camp. Lieutenant Gillian Malouw, Warrant Officer 2 Nolan Herne, Leading Seaman Jean Voigt, Leading Seaman Chenielle Miles, all with similar backgrounds, were amongst those who were involved in different roles of the Cadet Camp. The camp offered the youngsters an opportunity for practical maritime knowledge and leadership. The group started with theory lessons at the Maritime Warfare Training Centre and the Sailing Centre situated in Simon’s Town.
Speaking on behalf of the Cadets, Clayton Cornelius from TS Woltemade expressed his gratitude to Flag Officer Fleet (FOF), Rear Admiral (R Adm) Bravo Mhlana, who attended the camp. He said they learnt a great deal from all the instructors and topics. A leadership phrase that stood out for the students is that “a manager is someone who builds the box, whereas a leader is someone who thinks outside the box”.
Mhlana handed certificates out and encouraged the youngsters to be positive and take their education seriously. “I urge you to distance yourselves from negative people. Find something to keep you busy instead of roaming the streets. I became involved in boxing. It taught me discipline and kept me busy”, he said.
The group departed on 22 June after a closing ceremony by Mhlana on 21 June, according to the SA Navy.