Scout builds pedestrian bridge for Noordhoek greening project

A 2nd Fish Hoek Scout, Nathan Sayers, 17, has built a pedestrian bridge for On the Verge, a community greening project, as his service project to complete his Springbok Award.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony, officially opening the bridge, took place on Thursday, December 12, although the bridge had been completed several weeks earlier.

Located at the end of Katzenellenbogen Road, which is divided by a river, the bridge aims to make it easier for horse riders, pedestrians, dog walkers, and cyclists to cross the river instead of taking a detour around the Noordhoek Common.

On the Verge founder, Kathy Fish, said in summer tyres were used to cross the river but in winter it became impassable due to “the water really coming down”.

She said On the Verge had toyed with ideas for years to come up with a solution and when she called the 2nd Fish Hoek Scouts for help, Nathan volunteered.

Building the bridge was one of 17 tasks, three major and 14 minor, that Nathan had to complete for his Springbok award. He has three minor tasks left to complete before getting his award.

He said one of the many guidelines for the service project, a major task, is at least 40 hours of community service.

He said he had been apprehensive when he had first heard of the project as he had never built anything before and he had to make sure the project would be suitable for his team of volunteers which were 12 to 13 year-old scouts.

“It was a bigger project than I expected but I felt motivated to do something that big,” he said.

He said intensive planning, which included design, a survey of the area, permission from the Noordhoek Ratepayers' Association, and what type of tools and materials to use was part of phase one of the project.

Then he had to look for sponsors and with the help of Ms Fish, a Fish Hoek hardware store and an outdoor timber supplier in Noordhoek sponsored the entire project.

Asked if he was proud of his work, he said: “I see it as a task I have completed. In a couple of years when I go back and look at it I will be surprised that I did it. It hasn't kicked in yet.”

Ms Fish said she was delighted with the outcome and couldn't be more proud of Nathan.