How I Became the “Moonwalking Gorilla” the World Overlooked
As I reflect back on my 18-year career in the IT industry, I can’t help but chuckle at the irony of it all. You see, I like to think of myself as the “moonwalking gorilla” – the unexpected, the anomaly that everyone missed, even when I was standing right in front of them.
It all started when I was one of the first Black professionals to join the team at South Africa’s very first internet service provider. I was a network engineer by trade, with a deep understanding of the technology and infrastructure that powered the internet. Little did I know, that knowledge would one day become my saving grace.
You see, I fell victim to a devastating cyber crime – my identity was stolen through a series of data breaches at the very organizations I had dedicated my career to. It was a humbling and deeply embarrassing experience. Suddenly, I found myself without a job, without a means of income, and struggling with the mental and emotional toll of having my personal information compromised.
But here’s the thing – instead of letting that experience defeat me, I decided to turn it into an opportunity. I dove headfirst into the world of ethical hacking, leveraging the same technical skills that had once been my bread and butter. Within four years, I had transformed myself from a victim into a skilled penetration tester, able to identify vulnerabilities and protect against the very tactics that had been used against me.
And you know what? The organizations that had once overlooked me, the ones that had let me down in my time of need? They completely missed the “moonwalking gorilla” that I had become. They were so fixated on the obvious threats, the “white shirts” passing the ball, that they failed to see the powerful, adaptable, and innovative cybersecurity professional standing right in front of them.
Their loss has become my gain. Today, I’m a sought-after consultant, using my unique perspective and hard-earned skills to help businesses and individuals safeguard their digital assets. I’ve even launched my own website design agency, leveraging my technical expertise to create secure, user-friendly online experiences.
But more than that, I’m using my platform to share my story, to inspire others who may have faced similar adversity. Because the truth is, the “moonwalking gorilla” is all around us – the unexpected, the overlooked, the ones who have the power to turn their challenges into opportunities.
So, the next time you find yourself facing a seemingly insurmountable obstacle, remember my story. Keep your eyes peeled for the “black gorillas” in your life, the hidden gems that everyone else is missing. Because you never know – that “moonwalking gorilla” just might be you.
