I was born in South Africa and moved to the UK in 1991. While in South Africa I worked in HR during the turbulent Apartheid area and gained a huge amount of experience in conflict resolution and management training. Having been brought up in Africa the philosophy of Ubantu is close to my heart. The word Ubuntu offers to us that there exists a common bond between us all and it is through this bond, through our interaction with our fellow human beings, that we discover our own human qualities. That a person is a person through other people. We affirm our humanity when we acknowledge that of others.
Having moved to the UK I found myself working with the communications sector for British Telecom and Telewest. I then moved to the US with the international technology company Teradyne where I worked as Business Development Director. The effects of the Dot Comm bubble bursting and 9/11 brought me back to the UK where I established and ran Wire Solutions and Connected World Communications.
A desire to work in an area closer to my heart and which would allow me to explore both my own potential and that of others, lead me to have a conversation with old friends – Keith & Liz Cunningham. About a year later I stepped out onto the branch to pick apples alongside Appletree.
I am inspired by the people I meet every day who are willing to explore what it is to live life now and take steps, however small, to do just that.
I am passionate about Exploring!
What I love most about my work Last week I met a man who is taking the first steps towards doing what he thought was not possible. He is doing this because he now believes it is possible. I know next week I will meet another….
What I love most about living in the UK The weather! I do! As well as the diversity of the culture and the excitement of living in a country that in so many ways is being reborn and learning to walk with new friends.
I share my home with my wife Gillian, two cats, Meeka and Ithemba and dog Nandi.
I listen to Right now I can hear the raindrops falling on my roof.
I read and read. Mostly books that leave me with questions or answers.
I believe I do!
You can contact Mike on mike.visagie@appletreelive.com or call him on 07731 549 633
