About Me

Hi, I’m Rebecca Watson, one of the proud founders of Highland Giants Estate.
My journey from city life to countryside living, has been an incredible adventure filled with challenges, joy, and a deep connection to nature.
Early Life and Background
I was born in Kettering, England, in 1979 and moved to South Africa with my parents on 2 March 1982.
My parents met in the British Royal Air Force. After leaving the RAF because they couldn’t be posted at the same base, my father joined the Fire Service.

Our first home in South Africa was Central Fire Station in Johannesburg, sparking my lifelong love of fire engines (it's my dream to own one!).
My parents divorced in 1985, and a year or so later, my father moved back to the UK.
Growing Up in Johannesburg
I spent my early years living in various parts of Johannesburg, from Malvern, Kibler Park, and Alberton to Yeoville and Berea. These diverse environments gave me a broad perspective on life in South Africa. I attended Observatory School for Girls until the end of Standard 1 (Grade 3) and then went to Lord Milner School in Settlers, Northern Transvaal.

LMS was a boarding school in a farming community, where my initial connection to nature was established and perhaps the first seeds of becoming a farmer were planted. I was a monthly boarder and enjoyed my time at the school.

Afterward, I attended Parktown High School for Girls and matriculated in 1996. I wasn’t a very happy teenager and didn’t really stand out at school, with my only passion being singing in the school choir.
At 16, I started working on weekends and school holidays at a high-end clothing store in Sandton and found that I thrived in a working environment.
Gaining Valuable Experience
After matriculating, I continued working for the store for a few months until I applied for a job as a receptionist / switchboard operator at a dealership of the company my mom worked for.
I found that I excelled in this new role.
Those were the days when companies invested in their employees, so I was fortunate to attend a number of courses, study a bit of marketing, and be offered promotion opportunities. By the time I left the corporate world at the age of 24, I was the personal secretary to two company directors.
My customer service and secretarial background provided many of the skills I would need to establish and run our little business.
The journey from city life to the serene countryside of Highland Giants Estate has been filled with learning and growth.
Each step, from my early years in Johannesburg to gaining valuable experience in the corporate world, has shaped who I am today.
I’m excited to continue sharing our story and the beauty of our farm with you. Thank you for joining us on this journey, and I hope you enjoy getting to know us a little better.
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