10 Sep 2014

Mr Piet Villandre is not only a well-known cattle baron of note, but he is also a philanthropist at heart. 

Born and bred in Khisa, Mr Villandre or Ma-fila as he is affectionately known in his home village, is a livestock farmer who commands a lot of respect from his home village and the farming community at large for his success.

He made headlines last year when he donated four cows and a bull, four Boer goats and a billy goat, four ewes and a ram to some farmers in the northern side of the country after their livestock was culled due to Foot and Mouth Disease.

Recently, he donated 30 herd of small stock to the underprivileged in his home village, donated blankets, bought uniform for a number of students through and gave 50 goats to some people in Kweneng where his other farm is.

“I would like Batswana to uphold pillars of 2016 especially of ‘Compassionate and caring nation’ so that we realise that dream.

That withstanding, his efforts did not go unnoticed as he is one the few selected Batswana whose meaningful contribution through their philanthropist deeds to the country, receives recognition from President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama.

President Khama will bestow upon him an award during the Presidential Honours award towards the end of this month. 

“I am happy that I am being recognised for my efforts. I am doing this out of my love for my country and Batswana at large, and I will still continue doing what I enjoy,” he said. 

Besides being a philanthropist, Mr Villandre is into communal farming and keeps a large herd of cattle and small stock and also owns farms from Kgalagadi to Ngwaketse and Kweneng districts

“I have a total of about 3 000 herd of cattle and small stock,” he said.

His secret is simple; give your all when you get into farming.

Unlike most of his peers who spent most of their formative years working at mines during the gold rush in South Africa, he said he found himself herding cattle in white-owned ranches in that country where he learnt a lot on livestock management.

“After some time, I came back home and upon arrival I invested most of my time to what I know best, that is livestock rearing. Today I am simply reaping the rewards”.

On a good week, he said he can make sales of up to P100 000 through his cattle and small stock.

Perhaps to authenticate that he is a big player in the industry, he said he is a big customer for the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) because at times when they are short in supply, they call him and he never disappoints.

A community builder that he is, Mr Villandre said there are detractors who always think that through his philanthropists’ deeds he is trying to buy favours from authorities, but he insists that he is doing it out of love and the good thing is that his wife and kids supports his course.

He insists that people should learn to apply themselves in whatever they are doing so that they can get the desired results.

Mr Villandre has in the past shared notes with the youth; but said most of them think that they can make it in the farming business even though their priorities lies elsewhere.

He went on to point out that for one to realise profit, they should make it a point that they are hands-on because there is no way one can make it in business if they are not privy to challenges the business encounter.

Furthermore, he said he helps youth, LIMID, poverty eradication beneficiaries and anyone who wants to venture into livestock farming from all over the country adding that he normally mentors people during agricultural shows where he parades his pure breed stock for sale.

“I am ready to share my secret with Batswana especially the youth because it is very important that I impart the knowledge I have to future generations so that they too can help themselves and others.”

His dream is to own a ranch one day because he believes that the move will enable him to help more people.

“So I am planning to sell some of my farms across the country so that I can acquire a ranch,” he said. ENDS