Firstly, I would like to thank my mom for giving me the opportunities I had in life. Without your support, love, and sacrifice, I would not be where I am today. You made do with less so that I could have more. As I grow older, with kids of my own, I now realize the depth and breadth of your love and dearly appreciate it all.
I would also like to thank all of the educators at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University who are shaping the future IT professionals for an increasingly complex technological world. I specifically want to thank Professor Reinhardt A. Botha and Dr. Johan Van Niekerk. Their passion for information technology and their dedication to their students had a huge impact on me and made me the IT person I am today.
Throughout my career, I have met many people, had many colleagues, and dealt with more clients than I can probably remember. There is, however, a colleague and dear friend that has remained steadfast and resolute in his friendship, support, and mentorship. Vincent Van Zyl formed a big part of my early career and gave me a friendly nudge in the right direction when I was trying to find my way within a technology that was new to me. He was, and still is, a mentor and confidant in my professional life. He possesses a gentle spirit and a friendly nature that sets an example and truly makes the world a better place to live in. He loves his wife more than any man I have ever met and I am honored to know him, utterly humbled to call him a colleague, and incredibly blessed to have him as a friend.
Last but by no means least, I'd like to thank my wife and children. It would seem like such a cliché to thank you for putting up with me during the weekends and evenings that I spent working on this book, as this is a common theme that almost all authors thank their families for. The reality is that you all went above and beyond what was needed for me to complete this book. You guys expressed a profound understanding of what this project meant to me, which was so evident in the way your actions and sacrifices made a difference. Adele, you are my wingman, my comrade of can-do, and my rock throughout some grueling times. From the little things you did, such as supplying copious amounts of coffee in the cold evenings with an accuracy that made me wonder if you could read my mind, to the more important things, such as being mommy and daddy to our kids, fills me with an appreciation and gratitude that I will probably never be able to repay. I saw it all, I appreciate it all, and I love you all the more for it.
To my daughter Irénéé (pops) and my son Tristan (squeak), while you are still too young to read this now, you will be able to one day. I want to thank you for making do with a little less daddy time and for being patient and understanding when daddy could not play. You kids make me a better man and inspire me to face challenges in all aspects of my life with a determination and resolve I see in your eyes every day. You teach me more about life and all that is good by just being who you are. Your dreams are my dreams come true and there is nothing in this existence of ours that can separate me from the love I have for you. I therefore dedicate this book to Adele, Irénéé, and Tristan.