First and foremost, I am a father to my son, with all else being a means to this end.I am the only son of my parents and the eldest among my three sisters, although I do have an older half-sister from my father. I proudly assume the role of a father figure to my nephews and niece, as well as being a reliable provider for my entire family.At 11, my father, the family's sole provider, died. This compelled me to mature more quickly than I expected. Fortunately, my father's wise choice in my mother meant that she was strong enough to take on both roles after his passing, until I was old enough to take over and support the family - which I did by the age of 20, after completing my National Diploma and starting to work. Since a very young age, I have understood the vital importance of my family's survival and success. Despite the temptation to take an easier path and forsake my responsibilities as my father's successor, I made a deliberate decision to bring my entire family with me from the Eastern Cape to Gauteng, from the rural property system to having multiple properties in Johannesburg. These choices not only provided for my mother and siblings, but also for my nephews and Mila. Now, they all have much better prospects in life than they would have had if left in Eastern Cape, especially in female-led households.I hail from the picturesque region of rural Transkei, now known as the Eastern Cape. My educational expedition led me through a series of rustic schools, starting with Mahasana and continuing on to Lencane and Matolweni. As I advanced to standard 7 (yes, back in my day), I then relocated to Mpumalanga until I completed my Matric at Kiriyatswane Senior Secondary School. From humble beginnings studying under the shade of a tree to navigating classrooms within church premises and asbestos prefabricated buildings in Kiriyatswane, I have traversed the least the formal schooling system.Throughout the past two decades, I have diligently expanded my knowledge and honed my skills in the field of Risk Management across an array of industries, including government, banking, real estate, transportation, telecommunications, and consulting. My formal academic studies have provided me with a strong foundation in risk management fields such as environmental health, occupational and industrial health and safety, compliance and law, emergency response management, and business continuity.However, it is my commitment to continuous learning and informal education that has truly broadened my knowledge and enabled me to surpass the expectations set by qualifications. I have an unquenchable thirst to understand the core principles that drive risk management across various industries. This desire arises from my ultimate objective of using these principles to improve my own life and sharing my experiences through my writing, so that others can also benefit from them.Instead of relying on unclear anecdotes, I am dedicated to pursuing practical solutions rooted in my vast experience and continuous research, fueled by my inherent autodidactic nature. Despite the almost overwhelming temptation to conform, I make a conscious effort to challenge conventional wisdom and evaluate outcomes based on real-life experiences rather than merely hoped for results. With my meticulous attention to detail and relentless research skills, I have thrived as an auditor, risk management, and compliance professional in the corporate world.This has not only enabled me to excel in my formal employment endeavors but has also safeguarded my family from the prevalent pitfalls that ensnare countless others. My unwavering commitment to enhancing my skills in risk management ultimately stems from my profound dedication to excelling in my greatest passions: being a father to my son and a father figure and provider for my family.After publishing my first book in 2023, "The Homeschooling Father, How and why I got started", I have now decided to explore, research and write about more subjects that intrigue me.Read more about this authorRead less about this author