We’re a South African family who immigrated to the United States in 1996 after winning Green Cards in the US Green Card lottery. Here is some quick information about who we are, our backgrounds, and what we are doing at this stage of our lives. (For privacy reasons we’re keeping this relatively limited.)
Here’s more about us…
John grew up in Steytlerville, a small Karoo town about 180 km from Port Elizabeth. He graduated from high school (“Hoërskool Carel du Toit”) in Steytlerville.
After high school, John obtained a National Diploma in Electronic Engineering as well as a National Higher Diploma in Management Practice. He also spent two years in the South African military during the conscription period.
After completing his required stint in the military, John started working at South Africa’s national broadcaster, SABC. During his last few years in South Africa, he worked for a SABC-division, Airtime, that focused on television productions at outside venues. This mainly involved sports broadcasts, like rugby, cricket, boxing, and marathons.
In 1996, John moved to the US with his family.
In the US, John started a new career as a computer programmer, working for several companies over the years. He currently runs his own company, specializing in website development and online marketing.
Esmé was born and grew up in Edenvale (Johannesburg). She loved sports in school, and did very well in tennis and “korfbal.” She also spent a lot of time on their family farm, “Klein Menasse”, near Aroab in Namibia.
After high school, she went to RAU to study for a teacher’s diploma. She lectured at Damelin College and then went on to the SABC where she worked as a production secretary for the TV program “Graffiti.” Esmé moved with John to Port Elizabeth in 1990. Here she worked for Nissan until we moved to the US in 1996.
About a year after we came to the US, Esmé started working for Continental Airlines as an Airport Sales Agent. She left Continental after Michael was born.
Today Esmé is a full-time Mom and volunteer for various interests. She has devoted a lot of her time to the South African community in Texas over the past few years.
Johnny was born in Port Elizabeth. He was still a toddler when we left South Africa to come to the US.
During his time in school, Johnny earned a 3rd Degree black belt in Taekwondo. During his high school years, he started a successful swimming career, first swimming with Cedar Park Swimming and then moving on to Nitro Swimming.
After graduating from Lago Vista High School, Johnny went to Daytona State College in Florida where he was a member of their swim team. The following year he moved to Darton State College in Georgia where he was a member of their swim team. Then he returned to Texas and graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelors degree in Sports Conditioning.
Johnny recently moved to Denver, Colorado, where he is an online personal trainer.
Michael was born in Austin, so he’s the first full-blooded Texan in the Els family.
When he was small, he was a handful… endless energy and strong as a bull! He started walking at 8½ months, and could climb onto (and jump off) a variety of things before his first birthday.
Michael has earned a 1st Degree black belt in Taekwondo. During high school, Michael’s favorite sport was football, and he was an excellent defensive lineman.
After graduating from Lago Vista High School, Michael moved to Bryan, TX to attend Blinn College. Here he earned an Associate’s degree in Kinesiology. After Blinn, Michael completed the EMT Basic program at Austin Community College, and is currently enrolled in ACC’s Paramedic program.