: About Me

I am now 59 years young. My father was still working (a bit more gently) until his death at 80, and I plan to do the same.
I have been around the block several times. My schooling was at, arguably, the top private school in South Africa, St. John's College, Johannesburg. In those days most South African school-leavers had a stint of compulsory military service. Fortunately I missed that bit of hell.
I then tried to study Medicine, but they soon had enough of me and showed me the exit door. I then tried a year of a Business Science degree, and failed one subject, so failed the year, and my father decided his subsidization of my academic career was over. While at university I had been very involved with the student newspaper as a photographer. For them, I had a press-pass to Newlands, Cape Town, where I ran up and down the touchline photographing rugby-football. I got to know the local press photographers, and when a visiting international side pitched up to play, I offered my services to supplement their coverage of the game. This was accepted.
When my academic career was finished (for the meantime) I went to work for the newspaper I had helped, an Afrikaans-language Sunday paper, Rapport'. That was 1970. After a few years-what a learning experience-I moved to The Star, Johannesburg's largest daily paper. I later moved into freelance work as a photojournalist, largely for international magazines. During that time I spent 18 months in London, during which time I joined Mensa. But, while the experience I gained still lives with me, this was not a lucrative occupation.
My father suggested I try working in information technology, so I started as a Cobol-CICS programmer in 1980. I moved through the ranks quickly, and by 1984 was Systems Development Manager for a major British-owned pharmaceutical and chemical company, ICI (Imperial Chemical Industries). Is there anyone out there who remembers ICI?
In 1986 I married a lovely lady, Lynette. I was 38, she was 40 (both for the first time)-and it was too late for children.
I then became a contract-consultant. In 1988 I ran a major information / enterprise architecture project for a large life-insurance company. In 1989 I responded to a vocation on my life and moved into full-time ministry in the Anglican (Episcopal) diocese of Johannesburg. I did not go in with my eyes wide open. I got a shock when I got my first pay-slip. I was being paid less than 4% of my previous earnings. Ouch!
In 1989 I graduated with a Diploma in Theology (I had been studying by correspondence for 4 years). I then converted this, with the University of South Africa, to a Bachelor of Theology (Honors) degree.
After 4 years in training under a wise old priest, I was appointed to a small, rural parish near Port Elizabeth. My three years there were tough going. I had four churches to serve on my own, and Sunday was always a rush-day. My departure was not a happy one. It is a long story and I won't bore anyone with it. So, in mid-1996, I returned to Johannesburg and work as an IT consultant / enterprise architect / business analyst.
In 2001 I graduated with a Masters degree in Theology (Christian Spirituality) from the University of South Africa. My dissertation topic was Spiritual Growth in the context of Christian Community'.
I have not been involved-except occasionally, peripherally-in formal ministry since 1996. I still feel God's call on my life, but I recognize that this ministry will not be in a parish setting, perhaps through teaching, and in the workplace. I have nearly completed writing a Christian book Let My People Grow!' and plan to look for a publisher soon.
The company who employed me from 1996, relocated to the USA in 2000, and from 2001 I have had only bits and pieces of work. I do not have an IT qualification, and in South Africa there is a huge emphasis on Black Economic Empowerment. So, when I go for interviews I am seen by youngsters, who measure one's ability by the qualifications one holds-experience doesn't count-and I have discovered I am too old, too male, too pale to work in IT in South Africa! In 2006 Lynette divorced me as I was no longer able to keep her in the manner to which she had become accustomed.
A friend from my stint in Port Elizabeth organized me a job late in 2006. I relocated, but the job didn't materialize, so I was packed up and sent home. But. having moved out, I had nowhere to go. (As I write my possessions are still in storage.) So, as a temporary stint, I went to a Salvation Army shelter, until I could find work, any work.
The good news is that I met someone there who was there to recover from a major marital breakup. He was initiating, as CEO, a major aid project to provide electricity (wind- and solar- powered) to sub-Sahara Africa. He promised me a job. That was months ago, and no progress has been made yet. He keeps promising it is about to start.
The bad news is that I was accused, falsely, of striking a small boy. I was arrested and charged with common assault. I spent 2 weeks as an awaiting-trial prisoner in a South African jail. Certainly the nadir of my existence, and another foretaste of hell-which is to be avoided at all costs. I sold my Bible-my only possession apart from the clothes I was in when arrested-and made a phone call to get bailed out. When the trial happened the various lies told contradicted each other, and i was found Not Guilty'.
In 2006 I wrote and published a financial self-help book Wealth be my Friend' which is available from Amazon, use URL: http://www.amazon.com/Wealth-Be-Friend-George-Paxton/dp/1412092523/sr=8-6/qid=1166446198/ref=sr_1_6/103-2923337-4191822?ie=UTF8&s=books.
See also my web site at http://www.qei-growth.co.za.

My passion is ...

providing meaningful information for business decision-making

My childhood ambition ...

to be a doctor

My favorite memory ...

Spending a month with a herd of cattle in the Kalahari Desert

Why I write ...

I am a good communicator and enjoy writing

What I am reading/watching/listening to ...

St John of the Cross

My first job ...

Press photographer / photojournalist

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