By TheWedge.LIVE

Waldeck just N.E. of Swift Current, Saskatchewan, is where Elon Musk finally settled after leaving his place of birth, South Africa–well, for at least six weeks. We can all appreciate Elon’s restless energy; it seems to be the root of his success. The small town is also where he celebrated his 18th birthday.

They say, he is “the richest man” in the world this 2023.

Success is often familial, not always a product of inheritance. Elon’s grandfather on his mother’s side who arrived in Herbert, SW Saskatchewan, in 1906, namely Joshua Haldeman, likely inspired him.

The similarities between the two are eye-opening. Haldeman juggled many projects and pursuits: air piloting, politics, farming, boxing, riding broncos. And if that isn’t enough, he was a Chiropractor, accredited in Iowa, USA, before arriving to Saskatchewan.

Musk is an inventor of digital platforms, electric cars, tunnel boring, space craft, medical neural implants. An adherent of free-speech like his grandfather is expressed in the purchase of Twitter, now named X. At this very moment, he is navigating the treacherous waters of artificial intelligence striving to keep it free and truthful. Along with many great minds, he believes this to be existential, of the highest importance.

Some would call the two, Haldeman and Musk, “renaissance men”; but, Elon is almost unequalled in the world today.

A Quick History : From South Africa to Sask

Joshua Haldeman moved to Regina in 1936 to establish his chiropratic practice. In 1942, he wed Elon’s grandmother, Winnifred, who hails from Moose Jaw, reportedly a second marriage. He swooned ‘Wyn’ by signing up for her dance classes and later, established their matrimonial home in Regina. And there is where Elon’s mother, Maye, twin to sister Kaye, was born.

Discouraged by Canadian politics, stating it was devolving into socialism, and bankers’ actions toward his farming venture, Haldeman left Saskatchewan with his family for Pretoria, South Africa, in 1950. Their adventures are worthy of a Joseph Conrad novel. Reports of sixteen adventures in the wilderness of Botswana are captivating.

Elon Reeve Musk was born on June 28, 1971, out this fertile environment, seeding a lifetime of imagination. Ponder the conversations with his mother about her childhood expeditions.

Musk left South Africa at seventeen returning to his family roots, settling at his cousin Mark Teulon’s home in Waldeck. There he worked as a farm hand while awaiting his mother Maye to arrive; then, off he went to Queen’s College in Kingston, Ontario.

There you have it. Saskatchewan wears Elon well.

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