The Nelson Mandela University Business School in collaboration with Mantis hosted Dr Div De Villiers on the first Breakfast Club series they had in their auditorium, 20th October 2022. Prof Paul Poisat began with the formalities by taking the audience through Dr Dean Allen's and Dr De Villiers inspirational biographies. Dr Dean Allen, who is an author, historian and columnist for Herald Live, took over by leading the interview with Dr De Villiers - exchanging knowledge, leadership tips and the experience of the tall Dr De Villiers, who is also referred to as the “The Big Protector”.
Amongst the audience was the Dean’s faculty, Deputy Dean, leaders from different organizations in the Nelson Mandela Bay, the media, Adrian Gardiner and his wife Shirleyanne Gardiner from the Mantis Collection.
Dr De Villiers has a PhD in Biodiversity Conservation, he is a former officer of the old SA Defence Force and was acclaimed as a Game Ranger of Year by Game Rangers Association of SA in 2005. Besides his education and achievements, Dr De Villiers is also a very passionate man about protecting Eastern Cape’s nature and it’s environmental affairs.
Dr De Villiers unpacked stories that were of interest from his journey, and one of those stories was the landmark story of a rhino that was shot in SHAMWARI. “2008 while having a braai I got a call that a rhino is down. The following morning we went to do the scene, and it was the first rhino shot dead in Shamwari, with several shots before it’s death. Back then, poaching was very new but since that day we have lost more than 100 rhino's in the Eastern Cape”, he said.
He spoke highly of how excellent are South Africa laws towards the environmental affairs industry, and his role is to make sure everyone comply. As a responsible and stewardship leader he also mentioned how building relationships with the communities was always key in his journey, to a point that in some communities such as where the late King Sigcau was ruling, he would fine them for non-compliance but they will always remember to send him Christmas messages.
In closing Dr Dean read the audience one of the quotes in Dr De Villiers book “The Poacher” where he said, “If I can make even one young person interested in following a career in environmental conservation, then it will have been worth putting pen to paper”.
Keep an eye on The Nelson Mandela University Business School social media platforms for the next Breakfast Club in November, titled “Brooms to Boardrooms”.