It is with great sadness that we share that Dr Dudley R Forde has gone home. Dudley was not just a Scout, he was a pioneer who championed youth development, and a leader who led by example in living the Scout Promise and Law. From founding the Patrol Leader Training Unit (PLTU) in 1959, to serving in numerous leadership roles across the Scout Movement, his vision and commitment helped shape generations of young people into capable leaders of character.
Dudley joined the Movement in 1958. A year later he became Troop Scouter of the Sea Scout Group at 2nd Durban YMCA. In 1962 he became an Assistant District Commissioner in South Durban, was Area Commissioner for KZN Scouting and also an Assistant Deputy Camp Chief and Deputy Camp Chief on the Southern Zone Training Team. He later led the training team in the then Natal Division, he also held National appointments as National Training Commissioner, SAHQ Adult Leader Training Commissioner (two terms), Chief Scout’s Commissioner, and was a member of the Governing Board.
He had a great understanding of the Scout philosophy and values, of the power of Baden Powell’s Patrol System, the “learning by doing” methodology, and the value of the voluntary acceptance of a code of conduct. So much so that he became instrumental in designing and initiating the Patrol Leaders Training Unit course which is still being implemented today in various regions. In July 1959, he led the very first Patrol Leader Training Course at Lexden. It was a bold experiment designed to stretch, challenge, and grow young Scouts into skilled leaders. By 1967, that course had evolved into what we now know as PLTU — a cornerstone of leadership training in our Movement today.
Dudley once said: “In a world aware of the importance of value-laden leadership in so many aspects of our lives, the development of leaders is surely one of Scouting’s greatest potential contributions to society. Well run, a PLTU course can contribute significantly to that ideal.”
For his service to the Scouting Movement he was awarded with the Medal of Merit, the Long Service Medal, the Order of the Silver Protea and the highest award within SCOUTS South Africa, being the Silver Springbok. In April 2011 Dudley was named Counsellor of the Order of the Baobab by President Jacob Zuma for his services to Education and Scouting.
When not Scouting, Dudley served as a teacher at Maritzburg College, a Headmaster at St Andrew’s Welkom, Bellair Primary School, Kingsway High School, Maritzburg College and Durban High School and was Rector at Michaelhouse until 2001 when he retired. He also served as S.E. [M] in the Natal Education Department, lectured at the University of UKZN and assisted as an External Examiner for Rhodes University. He has had several books published on Leadership and Leadership Development and sat on a number of School Boards and Trusts.
Dudley taught us that leadership is not a badge you wear it’s a responsibility you carry. Scouting was not just an activity to him; it was his way of life. It is clear that his vision through PLTU has – and will continue – to inspire generations of young people to be the very best versions of themselves. He has truly lived up to Baden-Powell’s charge to “try and leave this world a little better than you found it.”
On behalf of SCOUTS South Africa, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all who were inspired by him.
A memorial service to celebrate Dudley’s life will be held on Thursday the 25 September at 2:30pm at St Thomas’s Church Musgrave Road.