I, Tebogo Backward, was born in Zastron, Free State. My father was a contractor and my mother was a housewife. Prior to losing both my parents in the early 90’s through cancer, the family moved to Greenside, South Western Johannesburg in the early 80’s where I attended Junior Level Education at Thomas Mofolo High School in Naledi, Soweto. On a later stage I then attended Secondary Level Education at Mariazelle Christian Boarding School in Matatiele, KZN. Upon my Secondary Education Level completion, I moved back to Greenside, Johannesburg where I furthered my studies by attending a Tertiary Level Education at Rosebank College in Rosebank, Johannesburg where I studied Office Administration and advanced Touch Typing Skills.

Upon completion the family once again relocated to Randfontein, East Rand. Since then I have lived and earned my first job at Lerato High School as a Print-Setter and Typist. In 1994 I decided to move out of Gauteng Province and relocated to Hout Bay, Cape Town in the Western Cape. I worked for RALI Youth Organisation as an Administrator and Educo Africa Outbound School as a Rock Climbing Facilitator.

AROUND THE WORLD

In 1996 I travelled around the world with 'Up With People Young Adults Group' doing community service, Intercultural Awareness teach-ins at local schools and on-stage live musical performance.

MY USA EXPERIENCE

After around the world trip, I attended Carroll College in the USA where I acquired my Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science and Graphics Communication. My interests are broad and varied. For example, while in college I participated in men’s tennis team, choral music choir, graphics communication and computer science discussion groups and inner city elementary level school teach-in program for four years at Martin Luther King Junior Primary School in Milwaukee Wisconsin. My love for children Educational Development and Advancement never stopped there.

BACK IN THE RSA

I came back to South Africa in 2003 and felt the need of establishing a computer centre in Imizamo Yethu Township, Hout Bay, whereby I could share my computer expertise by teaching previously disadvantaged children and adults on how to learn and utilize the computer as a tool for solving day to day problems. I compiled an extensive business plan for funding and The Gartner Inc. offered their help and services. This is my fourth year in operation and I have so far taught Touch Typing and Computer Literacy Programmes like; Microsoft Word, Power Point, Excel, Internet Research and Emailing to 400 children and 250 adults.

My gravitation is concentrated more towards children who are attending an Afro-Centric school at Oranje Kloof Moravian Primary whose ages ranges from 12- 16 years and in Grade 7 and 8. I am highly determined to sustain this programme for years and years to come as long as there’s a need for improving our children’s lives for the better.