Both founders of the aforementioned respective business enterprises, James 'Jimmy' George Haskins of Haskins & Sons Building and Hardware Stores as well as Patrick van Rensburg of Swaneng Hill School in Serowe, and the nationwide Brigades Movement in this country, are of European descent. Haskins, though born in Bulawayo was already a Motswana by virtue of his father already being a citizen of Botswana at the time of his birth. Though coming in different eras, with Haskins featuring in the early 1900s and van Rensburg arriving in the early 1960s, both men would become a significant part of Botswana’s history, ultimately being viewed by many as visionary trailblazers in nation-building.
According to Jeff Ramsay, Barry Morton, and Fred Morton in their book, Historical Dictionary of Botswana (1996): “When the father of Botswana’s politician and businessman James 'Jimmy' George Haskins, Bristol-born James Haskins arrived at Tati from England in July 1897, he had little idea of the solid dynasty he was founding in the then Bechuanaland Protectorate. Four generations later, in the Botswana of today, Haskins is as native to the country as Chobe bush- buck and tsamma melon.” The business was expanded into several branches of trading posts from the Tati stretching all the way up to Gweta. J Haskins, well known as Haskins & Sons today, was able to survive and prosper through all the challenges it faced in Botswana over the years. It has been run by different generations in the family hierarchy and today is led by Victor John Haskins Walsingham from the fourth generation. A fifth-generation leader is also coming through the ranks. Haskins is a company that thrives on the famous saying "by the people, for the people" and it is expected to keep growing by delivering quality goods, employment, and good governance.
