22 Sep 2024

In the quiet village of Themashanga, a remarkable tale of transformation has unfolded, all sparked by a single act of generosity from President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi in 2021.

For Mr Stephen Malipiti, the recipient of a humble gift, this gesture has not only altered his circumstances, but has rewritten the trajectory of his life entirely.

It began with a buck, a simple yet significant donation bestowed upon Mr Malipiti by President Masisi.

Little did anyone anticipate the cascading impact this gift would have on the recipient’s life. What transpired in the following years is a testament to the power of compassion and opportunity coming together to weave a narrative of profound change.

From a modest dwelling of two and a half rooms, Mr Malipiti’s abode has undergone a remarkable metamorphosis, evolving into a grand three-bedroomed mansion complete with an ensuite.

“Combining my savings and those from the sale of offspring of the buck that President Masisi donated to me, I managed to build this magnificent house,” he added. “I have now moved from the two and half house to my new mansion,” he said.

Mr Malipiti said the gift of the buck, a Boer goat, once a mere animal, has catalysed a series of events that culminated into Mr Malipiti’s rise to a life of comfort and security.

President Masisi’s act of kindness has served as the spark that ignited a wave of change, paving the way for Mr Malipiti to reimagine his reality and actualise his dreams.

“I am thankful for our President. Without him, I would have been much further behind. This goat, even in its demise, has yielded more offspring than I anticipated,” Mr Malipiti joyfully narrated the story of his life with sheer excitement and gratitude for the gift.

In 2021, when President Masisi donate a buck to Mr Malipiti, he had only 19 goats. A year later, the buck had exceeded all expectations, siring an impressive 31 offspring by 2022, among which 26 were females and 5 males.

As time passed, fate took a toll on the young male goats, and unfortunately, four of them met untimely ends, leaving only one surviving male to carry on the lineage.

Despite the setbacks, the resilient Mr Malipiti continued to nurture his growing flok, tending to his goats with care and dedication as they roamed the lush pastures of his farm.

As the days turned into seasons on Mr Malipiti’s flourishing farm, the remaining buck continued to work its magic, defying expectations by siring an astounding 40 offspring, predominantly females.

Mr Malipiti uses his field as a grazing land and it is abuzz with life as the nimble goats frolick in the sun-drenched field, some of the does soon proving to be exceptional mothers by giving birth to adorable twins, doubling the joy on the farmer.

Setting his sights on Mr Malipiti’s priced goats, the man wasted no time in striking a deal, negotiating a fair price of P1,300 for each goat and selling close to 38 goats in three years.

Mr Malipiti said husbandry was one of the feasible business ideas that people should consider venturing into as it helped with social and economic upliftment of the farming industry in Botswana.

“Goat farming has quick return as long as you take care of your smallstock and approach the business with passion,” he said.

He said the first year after receiving the buck was not easy as he lost some of the off springs, which died mysteriously.

Mr Malipiti added that the buck donated by President Masisi also died mysteriously in 2023, but not all was lost because it had left one male offspring, which was left to carry on the legacy of multiplying itself.

“The buck donated boosted my confidence,” he added. “It was most probably the push I needed to do my own thing. Though the death [of the animals] affected my progress, the remaining male offspring continued to expand the legacy.”

He added that after the mysterious death of his four kids, he enrolled for training at Impala Research and Training Centre, where he learnt of common goat diseases and their symptoms, care and management of kids.

He said the training helped him to identify different conditions and ways of overcoming them.

Mr Malipiti said ever since the training, he lost one kid compared to the many he lost prior to the training.

He is alife to the fact that challenges such as drought will always present themselves, however saying that the most important thing was not to despair. Malipiti’s story is an inspiring example of how empowerment combined with faith could turn a life around.

He thanked the government for coming up with a ram donation initiatives, saying it is one of the most effective weapon against extreme poverty while it also empowered Batswana.

Meanwhile, acting chief technical officer in the Department of Animal Production, Ms Lizibo Dambe, described Mr Malipiti as a simple man with humble beginnings, who had longed for a change that would bring prosperity to his doorstep.

She said with sheer determination and hard work, Mr Malipiti poured his heart and soul into caring for his goats.

“He learned the ins and outs of goat rearing, discovering the best ways to feed them, keep them healthy, and ensure they thrived in their environment,” she said.

“With a grateful heart and a determined spirit, he continues to nurture his flock, knowing that the goats have not just changed his life, but have also brought a sense of abundance and prosperity to his once barren existence,” she said.

The future seemed brighter than ever as the legacy of the miraculous buck continued to unfold.

It stands as a beacon of light, illuminating the transformative power of a single gesture of goodwill. Through the simple gift of a buck, a life has been forever changed, underscoring the profound impact that empathy and compassion can have on human experience. ENDS