I am Pieter Reichert, 54 years old, my journey began during South Africa’s apartheid era, where I was born and learned to see all people as equal and to respect nature and all life, thanks to my father for teaching us the right way. Growing up with such vibrant heritage and diversity has shaped my deep connection to Africa and its people, wildlife, and vast landscapes.
After completing my post-gradute degree in Banking in 1993 , fast forward 30 years later, having lived and worked in 7 different countries on the African continent for very large multinational companies, as managing director in 4 of those countries. Now I am living in the Netherlands, and I find myself driving back from Ukraine, after having entered the country in March 2022 to collect my wife’s parents from the war torn country, it became overwhelming to me that the world has to act now.
It is during almost 50 years of living on the African continent, in these rural regions that I witnessed staggering poverty— no schools, communities without clean water or basic healthcare. Living in Mozambique, Kenya, and Ghana deepened my understanding of colonialism’s lingering effects and the urgency of addressing hunger and poverty.
Africa holds more than half of the world’s uncultivated arable land, yet millions go to bed hungry. With a population set to grow to 26% of the global total by 2050, the time to act is now. We must focus on sustainability, empowering communities, and teaching long-term solutions. Together, we can create impactful change for Africa’s people, wildlife, and environment.
