The Philosophy of a Village Boy – Reflections on knowledge, science, spirituality, identity, and life, from a man whose questions began in the village

Post 26: Was Life Preparing Me for the PhD?

The journey had already been shaped by hardship, perseverance, hard work, dedication, humility and planning. There had also been interventions from people who saw potential in me and decided to help. Then there were unforeseen events that created much-needed twists and relief. And, as I reflected in Post 25, there…
Post 25: When Explaining the Parts Does Not Explain the Whole

Reflection on Posts 21–24 Posts 21 to 24 describe a period of my journey that took me from an internship in Polokwane to a short-term GIS position in George, and eventually to a PhD at Rhodes University. Each event can be explained individually. But does explaining each event necessarily explain…
Post 24: A Thank You That Took More Than Ten Years

There was one unfinished part of the story. Gratitude. I knew the role my former GIS manager had played in changing the trajectory of my career. I had never forgotten it. But knowing that you are grateful and actually expressing that gratitude are two different things. For years, I could…
Post 23: Was I Supposed to Be in George?

This is where the story becomes difficult for me to explain. Looking backwards, the sequence appears almost logical. Looking forward from the point at which I actually made the decisions, it was anything but logical. I left an internship in Polokwane where management had told me they recognised leadership potential…
Post 22: I Went to George Looking for a Job, Not a PhD

When I left Polokwane for George, I thought I understood what I was doing. I was taking another GIS job. It was a short-term contract, and it took me far from home, but it allowed me to continue building experience in the field I wanted to pursue. What I could…

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