After leaving school, I worked at Sappi, a paper factory in Springs, South Africa. And when I say I worked in a paper factory, I mean I was actually making paper.
At some point, I realised something that changed the direction of my life: if I wanted my life to change, I would have to change it myself. Nobody else was going to do it for me.
So I began studying at night while working during the day.
I didn’t know where that choice would lead. I certainly didn’t know I would one day teach university students in China or build AI services of my own.
I only knew that I needed to start. And that starting — however small it seemed at the time — mattered.
The years that followed would take me into computer technology, business, fatherhood and education. There would be many more late nights with books.