Famialy

I married my wonderful wife, Jeanette, in 1996—a decision that remains one of my greatest achievements (she might say otherwise depending on the day). Together, we have two beautiful daughters, Chantelle and Danielle, who keep us on our toes and our hearts full.

As if life wasn’t busy enough, we also share our home with three dogs—Nova, Duke, and Smowie—who have seamlessly promoted themselves from “pets” to “extended family.” They’ve become our loyal support system, providing unconditional love, comic relief, and occasional chaos. Honestly, some days it feels like they’re running the show!

Hobbies

When I manage to carve out some spare time, I have a few hobbies that keep me busy (and occasionally out of trouble):

  • Fishing and Camping: I’m passionate about freshwater fishing, night fishing, and camping under the stars. My crowning achievement? Landing a 34kg barbel after a grueling four-hour battle that left me more exhausted than the fish.

  • Reading: My reading list is quite eclectic, ranging from business books and self-improvement guides to Christian literature and biblical studies. Nothing beats gaining wisdom while enjoying a good book.

  • Amateur Radio: As a licensed ham radio operator (call sign ZR6ZIP), I’ve had the privilege of chatting with people from all over the globe. While I wish I had more time to indulge in this hobby, every conversation I’ve had has been a joy.

Business and Technology

My love affair with technology began at the tender age of 11, back when green-screen PCs and Commodore 64s were the height of sophistication. It wasn’t long before I discovered the joy of dismantling my first PC and upgrading its hardware—entirely self-taught, of course. Funding my tech obsession was a creative endeavor: I delivered newspapers from age 12 to 16 and even bred and sold freshwater fish. A budding entrepreneur, right from the start!

At school, I got my first taste of programming with Logo and GW-BASIC, which ignited a passion for coding that spanned more than two decades. Fun fact: the school quickly realized letting students access the PCs where grades were stored wasn’t the best idea—I might have “enhanced” a few marks here and there.

I formally studied Information Technology and programming and started my career as a full-time developer in 1996. My journey has been nothing short of colorful, working on incredible projects along the way. In 1998, I decided it was time for two major milestones: starting my first business and welcoming my first child a year later. Let me tell you, coding with a baby in your arms is the ultimate multitasking challenge, but we made it work.

In 2000, I co-founded Mainware Technologies, which continues to thrive today. Over the years, I discovered a deep passion for business—specifically, helping other businesses achieve success. This led me to join BNI (Business Network International) in 2017, where I’ve gained invaluable insights and built relationships with incredible business owners.

Today, I serve as a BNI Director Consultant, leveraging my experience to help even more businesses grow and sharing the lessons I’ve learned throughout my career. It’s been an exciting ride, and the best part is giving back to the community that helped shape me.

Mainware

At Mainware, we specialize in IT DevOps—a fancy way of saying we take care of your IT systems so you can focus on running your business. Our mission is to provide tailored solutions that leverage a wide range of technologies, from Windows platforms to Linux and open-source tools. We’re passionate about helping our clients succeed because we believe that as they grow, we grow too.

Our services cover everything from:

  • Desktop Support: Keeping your devices running smoothly.
  • Networking: Yes, this includes pulling a lot of cables (we’re practically professional cable wranglers).
  • Security: Protecting your systems so you can sleep soundly.
  • Servers: The backbone of any reliable IT setup.
  • Web and Email Hosting: Making sure you’re always connected and looking good online.

We’d love to sit down over a cup (or two) of coffee to chat about how we can help your business thrive.

Goals

One of my lifelong goals is to build a company that not only thrives but also creates meaningful employment opportunities in South Africa. Someday, I’d like to retire with my family, reflect on the journey, and enjoy the rewards of our hard work—ideally while traveling the world.

In the short term, we’re focused on expanding our services across South Africa and tapping into European markets. By taking advantage of the exchange rate and delivering outstanding service, we aim to partner with overseas IT companies and establish strong international relationships.

My Burning Desire

My burning desire? To pack up my fishing gear and travel the world, reeling in trophy catches from dream spots in the USA and Canada. Imagine the stories: “That time I caught a fish so big, it needed its own passport.”

But it’s not just about fishing—I also dream of exploring amazing places with my family while I’m still spry enough to keep up. Let’s face it, there’s only so much sightseeing you can do from a mobility scooter (though I hear they’re great for outrunning toddlers).

My Key To Success

The key to my success lies in the grace of God, who has faithfully guided our family and business over the years. While we’ve made mistakes and taken a few missteps along the way, His hand has always been there to steer us back on course.

Through these experiences, I’ve learned some valuable lessons:

  • Lifelong learning is essential in every area of life.
  • A positive attitude can make a world of difference, even in challenging times.
  • Hard work and perseverance truly pay off.
  • Surrounding myself with people who know more than I do is one of the best ways to grow and learn.

I am grateful for these lessons and the journey they’ve shaped.

Some of my accomplishments over my career:

Some of my accomplishments over my career:

I had the privilege of being a key member of the project team at PPS Insurance during the implementation of a new insurance system. It was an incredible professional opportunity where I started as a developer and, over ten years, worked my way up to head of the operations team.

The project was intense—we practically lived at the office for months, working what felt like 24/7. In the process, we managed to break several IBM servers (turns out “stress testing” was a bit too literal). But in the end, the system was a success! I even took the project to London, where I trained a new team for a startup insurance company on how to use it.

As of 2025, Mainware is still working with PPS Insurance, providing ongoing services—a testament to the long-lasting partnerships we strive to build.

Mainware’s Journey:
Over the years, Mainware has ventured into various industries—financial, insurance, mining, gaming, and medical. Each one has taught us valuable lessons (some more painful than others). Today, we’re proud to maintain healthy relationships across all these sectors.

Recent Clients

Cordiguard Security
Next Drive
DR Grey
RC House
Strategik
Insure With Lee-Ann

Some of the books and authors I have read

The 21 Irrefutable Laws Of Leadershiop – John C Maxwell
Elon Musk_ Biography of a Self-Made Visionary by B Storm
Elon Musk_ Risking it All by Michael Vlismas
Elon Musk_ Tesla, SpaceX, and the .. by Ashlee Vance
Rocket Billionaires_ Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos by Tim Fernholz
The E-Myth Revisited – Michael E. Gerber
On Becoming a Leader by Warren Bennis
The 5am CLUB
The Purpose Driven Life_ What on Earth Am I Here For by Rick Warren

Joyce Meyer – Battlefield of the Mind
He Came To Set The Captives Free – Dr Rebecca Brown
He-came-to-set-the-captives-free-Rebekah-Brown
Victory in Spiritual Warfare field guide for battle – Tony Evans
Prepare-for-War-Rebekah-Brown
Unbroken_Curses-Rebecca_Brown_M.D
Son of Hamas – Mosab Hassan Yousef
God’s Generals – Roberts Liardon
The Seasons of God
The Shack