Michael Klopper is the Practice Lead for Microsoft Services at DVT, a Dynamic Technologies group company. When he was approached by Lloyd Becker, a DVT recruiter, the role intrigued him as it presented a challenge, and with his experience across multiple industries, it felt like a strong match.
Klopper describes his DVT journey as “transformative”. He says, “The wide array of client requirements and technologies has pushed me to rapidly develop both technical and interpersonal skills. Working with diverse teams and industries has not only expanded my expertise but also deepened my appreciation for different perspectives and approaches to problem-solving. This dynamic environment has allowed me to contribute meaningfully while continuously growing as a software developer and solution architect.”
It's a role that requires adaptability and innovation. “A challenging aspect of my job is balancing the pace of human adaptation with the rapid evolution of software and AI,” explains Klopper. “While technology advances quickly, ensuring that teams, clients and users can effectively adopt and integrate these changes requires patience, communication and continuous learning.”
He adds, “The most rewarding part is the opportunity to grow technically and personally while helping the company navigate its technical direction. Guiding teams through innovation, problem-solving and adaptation in diverse environments makes the journey exciting and fulfilling.”
Thinking on his feet comes naturally. Klopper is a wilderness paramedic, a technical rescuer, and a seasoned mountain rescuer with years of training and emergency medical services (EMS) qualifications under his belt.
He started in 1991, training across multiple disciplines – fire, rescue, tactical operations, diving, incident command, and mass casualty incidents – all while serving mostly as a volunteer. He advanced his training, moving from basic to intermediate life support before joining the Mountain Club of South Africa’s Mountain Search and Rescue (MSAR) team, which he says is the single most rewarding experience of his life. “From there, I fell in love with the concept of hope – hope in the face of uncertainty and the unwavering belief that no one should be left behind.”
Klopper’s desire to increase his knowledge and improve his skills had him hitting the books and looking abroad. He earned the Wilderness Medical Society’s Fellow of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine and enrolled in a US-based college to become an Advanced Life Support Paramedic. He also connected with the College of Remote and Offshore Medicine Foundation in Europe, where he serves as a faculty member while pursuing a doctorate in Health Science, specialising in AI in healthcare.
“I quickly realised just how crucial AI is in digesting and processing massive volumes of medical data generated by modern healthcare,” explains Klopper. “By combining my IT expertise with my medical background, I’m joining this march forward, helping to ensure that AI serves as a force for good in medicine and emergency care.”
Excelling in two demanding roles takes a person with a whole lot of drive. Klopper says, “Rescues are notoriously inconsiderate when it comes to timing, they rarely happen during convenient hours.” He adds, “I live and work in Johannesburg. While my practical rescue work is limited, my primary contribution to the global emergency medicine community happens online, collaborating with peers from the US, UK, Germany, Malta, Norway, Greece and South Africa. On the ground, I support the MSAR team, assisting with training and incident support. MSAR has conducted operations ranging from the Johannesburg CBD to the Drakensberg, Mozambique, Namibia and north in the Soutpansberg Mountains.”
Klopper’s EMS experience and his work in IT may seem at odds, but that’s not the case. “EMS is more than a profession; it’s a calling, and its influence on my life has been profound. One of the biggest lessons it has taught me is the fragility and temporary nature of life. Without diminishing anyone else’s struggles, this work has given me a unique perspective on what a true crisis is. It has helped me develop a sense of spiritual fitness; the ability to live fully in the present without losing sight of the future.
“EMS is also deeply systems-orientated, from the intricate processes of the human body to treatment algorithms, electronic medical devices, incident command structures and safety protocols. This has fine-tuned what I believe is a natural ability to understand and work with complex systems, and which is why my IT and EMS work are not disparate.”
For anyone considering volunteer EMS work, Klopper has some words of wisdom. “Start small by taking a basic CPR course and go in with your eyes open. You’ll need to be fit, active and ready to accept the challenges and discomfort that come with the territory. The time and costs associated with certain EMS paths is also significant, and it can be dangerous with serious consequences if things go wrong. If you find the passion to serve is still strong, then reach out to a local clinic, hospital or ambulance service to inquire about ride-alongs, and consider contacting the MSAR about their trainee programme. EMS and MSAR can be a fulfilling way to serve others. It’s about stepping up when others need help the most. If that’s a calling that resonates with you, then take the first step.”
credit Christian Spreitz