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Ahmad Solomon is no stranger in Scouting circles, from growing up in the Western Cape Scouting community, to establishing and building the Scouting-in-Schools-programme in the Western Cape. After a short break, he is back in a national volunteer role as our National Coordinator for Group Growth. Growing our Scout Groups and Scouting nationwide is a team effort, so we spoke with Ahmad about why Scouting means so much to him and how we can support the growth of our Movement together.  

“I joined Scouting as a Cub at 1st Wetton Scout Group, and over the years my journey has come full circle, returning as a parent, then a volunteer, later serving as the Western Cape Scouting-in-Schools (SIS) Coordinator, and now stepping into a national volunteer role focused on Group Growth. 

As South Africans, we carry a history that includes difficult and painful chapters. While we are not responsible for what happened in the past, we are responsible for what we do now and how it shapes tomorrow. For me, Scouting gives that responsibility a positive and practical outlet. It allows us to take shared values, service, and leadership and turn them into real action that helps young people grow into better citizens. That sense of purpose is what has kept me in Scouting all these years, and what drives me to continue to serve”, he explains.

Being in Scouting for a lifetime, comes with many memories of learning, of joy, and of shared purpose. “There are many memories I carry with me, but one stands out. It was a Friday night in a township in Strand, after 9pm, when a then 19 year-old – Sibusiso Ncapayi sent me a message about a leadership video we had watched earlier that week. Later, I learned he had been out with friends, doing what most young people his age would normally be doing. Yet he chose to engage in a thoughtful conversation about leadership and growth. The video was one of Simon Sinek’s talks, but the moment itself reminded me of the quiet power of Scouting, changing conversations, changing mindsets, and changing futures.

I believe Scouting offers something rare. It is a values-based programme that works across religions, cultures, and backgrounds, while still allowing every child to feel seen and respected for who they are. It gives young people structure, purpose, and positive role models, all within a supportive community. In a world full of distractions and pressures, Scouting provides a grounded, safe space for children to grow into confident, caring, and capable adults. This is what sets Scouting apart from other youth organisations.”

Ahmad brings years of experience and a deep understanding of Scouting’s values and impact to his new role as our National Coordinator for Group Growth. “At its heart, I want to be part of a team that makes Scouting accessible to every boy or girl who looks at it and says, “I’d like to do that.” In a way that recognises young people for who they are, where they come from, and what they represent, meaning their culture, their creed, and their identity, all held together by the shared values of Scouting.

If Scouting is to be truly relevant, it must be inclusive, not exclusive. My goal is to help build a SCOUTS South Africa that is fully representative in every sense, one that develops leaders for tomorrow who can make a real impact in their communities and beyond.”

To grow our Scout Groups, it is key that as youth, parents, and volunteers we support each other in doing so. What advice does Ahmad have for us to support him in his role and make the growth of our Groups a reality. ”To our parents, I would say this: children are wonderfully different. They have different interests, personalities, and ways of learning. Scouting doesn’t try to force them into one mould. Instead, it creates a safe space where each child can discover their own strengths and grow in their own way. Whether a child stays for a year or many years, they walk away with experiences and lessons they will carry for life, and maybe a friend or two.

For adults, there are many reasons to volunteer, but I would gently caution against being the over-enthusiastic parent who is more invested than their child. At its best, Scouting gives adults the time and space to grow alongside their children, not over them. It’s a chance to give back in meaningful ways, learn new things, and be part of something bigger than yourself. And honestly, volunteering also comes with real health and well-being benefits. The simple truth is, the more adults we have, the more young people we can reach.

For those who feel they don’t have the time to volunteer or start a Scout Group, I would say this: every young person who grows into a contributing adult does so because there was at least one adult in their life who took the time to guide them. You could be that person for the next Robert Baden-Powell or Nelson Mandela. Time is the commodity we all say we don’t have, yet it is the one investment that truly shapes lives. Change what you’re counting, and you change what really matters.”

Since leaving Scouting as the Scouting-in-Schools Coordinator in the Western Cape, Ahmad has been working as a programme manager with Muslim Hands South Africa, serving children and youth in communities very different from the ones he grew up in. “That vantage point has taught me humility, empathy, and the importance of listening before leading. Through this work, I continue to learn how development initiatives succeed when they are rooted in partnership and trust, lessons that shape how I approach my Scouting work every day.”

As we step forward and continue working towards the growth of the SA Scout Movement, Ahmad has one final thought:” I don’t believe that I alone — or any one person — can achieve this. We must find a way that works for each Scout Region. It needs to be a partnership and an ongoing dialogue. The growth journey of Scouting-in-Schools was exactly that, built through collaboration, learning, and adapting along the way. What we need is collective wisdom. Through dialogue and partnership, we can create space for everyone around the table and grow Scouting into the next 100 years. Insha’Allah”.

Find more information about SCOUTS SA’s programmes and how to volunteer here.