A Man On A Mission

Former US Air Force’s rescue wing executive officer, Major Scott Williams, was sent to South Africa ahead of the 2010 Soccer World Cup. His mission was to work with local law enforcement agencies. Today…he’s still here. This is the story of a highly trained combat veteran, turned conservationist.

- Danie Botha

“Every day 20 US combat veterans commit suicide,” says former US Air Force pilot Scott Williams. “We’re striving to off er US Army vets a different option, to come to South Africa and put their experience to good use, and to learn to adjust and lead a normal life again.”

But the Veterans programme is just one of the many projects the enigmatic Williams is busy with. Another is a 10 000ha reserve in the Baviaanskloof, in the Eastern Cape. His Solve.IT organisation off ers a different and innovative alternative to conservation and global issues such as wildlife, water, food and natural resource security.

He’s also a petrolhead. He’s owned a 1955 Chevy two-door wagon that was powered by a modified, supercharged V8 engine. With nitrous oxide gas.

Now presiding in South Africa with his environmentalist wife Greta and their two kids, Major Williams off ers some fascinating insights into the conservation world of the future.

What was your first car?A 1968 Jeep CJ5, with a Buick V6 engine.

What is your favourite car that you’ve owned or driven?

That must be the Chevy Wagon with the V8, supercharger and gas. It was a real blast.

Tell us more about Solve.IT. Essentially, we look at ways technology and data acquisition can improve conservation. As a former soldier, I don’t believe the future of conserving endangered animals such as the rhino will be secured by increasing armed rangers on the ground.

The problem is far too big for that. The Kruger National Park is the same size as Israel, and you have less than 250 rangers trying to keep it secure. There are aircraft yes, but if the planes don’t have a specific target they are looking for, and area to look in, flying up and down borders just equates to wasting money.