CURRICULUM VITAE
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
Seasoned entrepreneur and SMME development specialist with 40+ years’ experience (as stated in this CV) in business management, distribution, training and local economic development.
Proven track record launching and scaling businesses, managing distribution networks and delivering capacity‑building programmes for government and private‑sector stakeholders.
EDUCATION:
Institution: University of Port Elizabeth (UPE) (NMU)
Date: 1991 - 1993
Degree(s) obtained: B. Comm Honours
Institution: University of Port Elizabeth (UPE) (NMU)
Date 1977 - 1979
Degree(s) obtained: B. Comm
WORK EXPERIENCE
Date: August 2016 - Present
Location: Wepener, South Africa
Company: African Institute for Personal Development (AIPD)
Position: Founder & Director
Description
• Founded AIPD to deliver self-development, financial literacy and life-skills programmes to individuals and corporate clients.
• Accredited service provider to the ATKV (Afrikaanse Taal en Kultuur Vereeniging)
• Developed and deliver numerous online training programmes and blended learning courses.
• Indie author
Date: July 2014 – July 2016
Location: Boesmanskop, Free State
Company: OVK (Local Farmers’ Co-op)
Position: Sales Assistant
Description: Provided sales and member-support services for local farmers’, assisted members with product enquiries, processed orders and payments, maintained member records, coordinated deliveries, promoted co op services and events, and gathered market feedback to support local producers.
During this time I also served as:
• Secretary of Vanstadensrus Farmers Association
Date: July 2013 – June 2014
Location: Van Stadensrus in the Free State
Company: Ama Clean Clean
Position: Managing Director
Description: Ama Clean Clean manufactures and distributes a range of environmentally friendly cleaning and related products.
Key Tasks: Develop and implement the business’s strategic plan. Conduct market research and develop product range. Establish distribution via a network of distributors and agents. Manage the distribution network which includes administration, and management of workforce and systems.
During this time I also served as:
• Secretary of Vanstadensrus Farmers Association
Date: January 2003 – June 2013
Location:Queenstown
Company:Siyakhula Agencies
Position:Partner with my wife
Description:
The business had the distribution rights in the Eastern Cape for Sky Country’s range of processed meats. I was involved in the management of all the functions marketing, human resource management, administration, financial management, etc. The business grew and eventually had a staff complement of 25 and monthly turnover of R2.5 million. The business services everyone from micro businesses to major international chains such as Massmart.
During this period I was also involved with the following activities:
- Consultant: LED and Business Management\Render consultation services to various private companies, individuals, local government, development projects, etc. in a variety of fields.
- Attended Local Economic Development Training Programmes:
- Attended a Local Economic Development (LED) Training Course in Stutterheim in August 2003.
- Attended a LED Development programme (focusing on PACA) at White River during March 2003.
- Acted as the local GTZ coordinator in the area.
- Facilitated PACA (Participatory Appraisal of Competitive Advantage) Exercise in Queenstown for the Agricultural Sector in November 2003.
- Arranged way-forward workshops to implement proposals generated during PACA conducted in May 2003 in Queenstown.
- Phase One Training and Development Services Presented various short courses in LED and fields of business management privately and in collaboration with Government Departments and Nelson Mandela University.
Other Development Experience during this period
- Serve on Project Steering Committee for the DEAT on the development of two major tourism development projects at Bonkola Dam and Lawrence de Lange Game Reserve.
- Facilitated Tourism Sector Commission at the Chris Hani District Growth and Development Summit held in Queenstown in October 2006;
- Went on LED study tour in South Africa with GTZ / Inwent in November 2005.
Membership of Professional Bodies:
- Chairperson of the Lukhanji Tourism Organisation.
- Board member of Queenstown branch of the Border Kei Chamber of Business.
- Commodore Queenstown Power and Yacht Club
- Lay preacher with Methodist Church
Date:April 1989 – November 2002
Location:Port Elizabeth
Company: University Of Port Elizabeth Small Business Unit (UPE SBU)
Position:Manager: Special Projects
Description:
The Unit’s mission was to provide, as a development agency, a comprehensive range of services to the small, medium and micro (SMME) enterprise sector. I gained experienced in the management as well as the widest aspect of SMME Development. consulted country wide, covered all aspects of training, interacted with community based structures, stakeholders and funders, presented some post graduate modules at the University, guest lecturer for various tertiary institutions, was a joint presenter on SATOUR’s nation-wide series of workshops on the development of Entrepreneurship in the Tourism Industry; served on numerous committees, attended various conferences, seminars, talks presented by international speakers, delivered talks on national and regional radio stations, guest speaker for various organisations and at numerous functions.
During this period I also:
- Attended Consultancy Training Programme for SMMEs in Japan during July and August 2001;
- Undertook a study tour to Canada to review their training and support programmes to the small business sector – hosted by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade – May 1995
- Guest Speaker at NAUI Underwater Conference in Chicago. Subject: Quality Service in the Diving Industry - April 1995
Date: June 1987 - March 1989
Location: Willowmore
Company: Zaayman’s Delta Garage
Position: Partner
Description:
Partook in all aspects of business i.e. vehicle sales (new and secondhand), driveway management, spares, human resource management, administration, financial management, etc. The garage had a staff complement of 25.
Date: January 1980 – May 1987
Location: Johannesburg / Pretoria
Company: Barclays Bank Limited
Position: Business Development Manager
Description:
Appointed in 1985 as Business Development Manager with Barclays Industrial Bank - financing movable assets.
Prior to that on an Executive trainee development programme - during training spend time in branches and various head office departments such as investment, corporate planning, international division, foreign finance and centralized advances.
PUBLICATIONS AND TRANSLATIONS
- The Joy and Freedom of Being a Christian — self-published 2001; second edition published 2024 (e-book).
- Afrikaans translation of The Joy and Freedom of Being a Christian - Die Vreugde en Vryheid van Christen Wees — published (e-book)
- Professional Performance — A Framework for Global Excellence — published 2026 (e-book)
OTHER
- Did theological studies on a part time basis but did not complete the studies.
Part One – The Battle No One Sees
STILL MOVING FORWARD
Reflections from Tinie Terblanche’s journey through stroke, recovery, and renewed purpose.
In the months following his strokes, Tinie began sharing short reflections on social media about his recovery — the challenges, the progress, and the lessons learned along the way. These posts were never written to compare experiences or offer medical advice, but simply to tell one person’s story of learning to walk, speak, think, and live differently again.
We have gathered these reflections here so that others who are facing difficult seasons — stroke survivors, families, caregivers, or anyone whose life has suddenly changed — may find encouragement, understanding, and hope in the journey. Recovery is rarely a straight road, but every step forward matters.
INTRODUCTION POST
Fifteen months have passed since my strokes, and I feel ready to share my story.
I know that every stroke is different, and that many people around the world are affected by stroke and other life-altering events. This is not a comparison, nor a conclusion — simply a reflection on my own journey.
My hope is that what I share may offer encouragement or understanding to others: stroke survivors, those who have lost a partner, experienced an accident, or faced any moment where life suddenly changed.
POST 1 of 10
When Staying Alive Was the Only Goal
There was a time when the future didn’t exist — only the next breath. At first, the only goal was survival.
In ICU, there was no space for reflection or long-term thinking. Life narrowed down to the basics: breathing, swallowing, learning to speak again. Everything else became secondary.
This stage was not about understanding what had happened or what lay ahead. It was about staying alive — minute by minute, hour by hour.
Many people never see this part of recovery. But it is where everything begins.
This is part of the battle no one sees.
POST 2 of 10
When Life No Longer Made Sense
Survival came first — confusion followed. After the immediate danger passed, shock set in. My body felt unfamiliar. My mind struggled to process what had happened. Time felt distorted, and the world no longer worked the way it used to.
This stage is deeply unsettling. You are alive — but disoriented. It’s hard to explain to others how strange everything feels, especially when they expect gratitude and relief.
This is part of the battle no one sees.
POST 3 of 10
Hope Appeared — Fear Stayed Close
Progress brought hope, but fear never left. Small improvements felt like victories — a movement, a word, a step forward. Each gain brought hope.
But fear walked alongside hope. Fear of setbacks. Fear of limits. Fear of the unknown.
Recovery is rarely a straight line. This stage holds both encouragement and anxiety at the same time.
This is part of the battle no one sees.
POST 4 of 10
The Slow Realisation That Life Had Changed
The truth arrived quietly, not all at once. There was no single moment of realisation. Instead, it came slowly — through fatigue, limitations, and comparison.
I began to understand that some things might never return to how they were before. This realisation was painful, gradual, and unavoidable. Acceptance did not come easily here.
This is part of the battle no one sees.
POST 5 of 10
Survival Does Not Cancel Loss
Being alive does not mean nothing was lost.
This stage is often invisible to others. While survival is celebrated, inside there is grief — for abilities, independence, roles, and dreams. Loss still exists, even when life continues. And it deserves to be acknowledged.
This is part of the battle no one sees.
POST 6 of 10
Comparing Who I Was to Who I Am Now
Comparison became one of the hardest battles.
I lost my speech and had to relearn how to communicate. I couldn’t drive, play sport, or ride a motorbike anymore. My vision changed — my eyes could see, but my brain didn’t always process what they saw.
Along with that, I had to relearn basic cognitive skills — things like problem-solving and concentration.
Comparing who I was to who I am now brought deep frustration and grief. I measured myself against my past self, against others, and against expectations I could no longer meet.
This stage asks hard questions, with few easy answers.
This is part of the battle no one sees.
POST 7 of 10
Accepting Reality Without Giving Up
Acceptance is not surrender.
This stage is about acknowledging reality without losing dignity or purpose. It is not giving up. It is stopping the fight against what is — while still choosing to live fully within it. This shift takes time and courage.
This is part of the battle no one sees.
POST 8 of 10
Learning to Live Differently
This stage taught me that life had changed — and I had to change with it.
Recovery is not just about healing the body. It is about learning to live differently — every single day.
During this time, I received incredible support from so many people. Friends generously offered us the use of their holiday home in Hartenbos for a month. There, I was able to experience the sea, rest, and spend meaningful time with lifelong friends and family.
Another friend sponsored three months of Mannatech products, which I used to support my cognitive recovery. I found them helpful, and I believe they contributed positively to my rehabilitation during that season.
Simple things became new challenges: basic arithmetic, spelling, problem-solving, and retraining my brain to process information.
Each step was both frustrating and rewarding.
I learned to adapt.
I learned patience.
I learned that progress does not come in a straight line — but it does come when you keep moving forward.
This is part of the battle no one sees.
POST 9 of 10
Finding Gratitude While Still Struggling
Gratitude returned — quietly. It did not come all at once. It grew in small moments.
I remember cutting the lawn again — something so simple, yet so meaningful.
I also had the opportunity to share my testimony at Maranatha Mission.
Those moments reminded me that life still had purpose.
But the journey was not without setbacks.
In September 2025, during a check-up, the cardiologist told me that I had heart failure. It was a shock. It felt like I was pushed back again. Like I had to start adapting all over. I realised that adaptation is not a once-off decision — it is a daily discipline.
Even in that setback, something deeper was happening. Gratitude did not erase the struggle. But it began to coexist with it.
Moments of meaning, love, and purpose reappeared — not because life was easy, but because life was still valuable.
This is part of the battle no one sees.
POST 10 of 10
Walking Forward with Quiet Strength
This is not the end — it is a new beginning.
There was a time when life looked very different.
In September 2024, we were accredited to present life skills training for the ATKV at primary schools. It was something that could have continued for many years.
Then everything changed. After my heart attacks and strokes, that work came to a complete halt. Our income stopped. We had to rely on Lynne’s pension and my old-age pension — both limited.
Yet, we are deeply grateful. Without GEMS, the medical costs would have been close to a million rand. God provided in ways we could not have planned.
This is where I find myself now.
Not at a dramatic finish line.
Not at a place of “arrival.”
But moving forward — slowly, steadily. I no longer measure my life by what I have lost.
I walk forward with what I have been given.
With gratitude.
With faith.
With resilience.
I do not fight to be who I was.
I am learning to become who I am now.
And I trust that God is still writing my story.
This is the part of the battle no one sees — but it is where life continues.
Part Two: A New Season — Rebuilding Life and Purpose
NEW BEGINNINGS -
STILL MOVING FORWARD
Reflections on rebuilding life, work, and purpose after stroke.
A New Season Begins
After sharing my recovery journey, many people have asked me: “What are you doing now?”
The truth is — I am rebuilding. Not only physically, but professionally and spiritually as well.
The stroke forced us to rethink everything. We had to adapt, learn new skills, and find new ways forward. What once felt certain changed overnight. And we had to begin again — step by step.
But this is not the end of the story. It is a new season.
In the coming days, I will share more about:
• The online training we are developing
• The challenges of starting again
• My focus on financial literacy and personal development
• And the books I have written and continue to develop
This journey is no longer only about recovery. It is about purpose after survival.
Thank you for walking this journey with me.
Part of my ongoing memoir: Still Moving Forward.
FROM BROKEN TO FREE:
THE STORY BEHIND MY BOOK
Some parts of our story begin long before we realise their meaning.
A Story of Grace — And a Gift to Share
Years ago, after I gave my life to the Lord, I felt a deep desire to write a book. The reason was simple. Those who knew me before will remember — I lived a very different life. A life of partying and poor choices.
But God showed me mercy. And I made a decision: If God could change my life, then I want to share that story with others. That is how my book, "The Joy and Freedom of Being a Christian", was born.
We first printed a small number of hard copies. About 200 books were printed — and most of them were given away, not sold - because the message was always more important than the money.
Last year, before my health crisis, I decided to release a second edition — this time as an eBook, so that more people could access it.
Then came my heart attacks and strokes. During my recovery, I felt led to take it one step further — to translate the book into Afrikaans: “Die Vreugde en Vryheid van Christen Wees.”
It was not an easy journey. But with the help of Lynne, and a dear school friend, Ester, we were able to complete the translation.
Today, both versions are available online as e-Books.
If you feel led, please share the link with others
This is not about promoting a book. It is about sharing a message.
If God could change my life, He can work in any life.
Part of my ongoing memoir: Still Moving Forward.
Order your book HERE!
REDISCOVERING PURPOSE - THE STORY BEHIND MY NEW BOOK
"PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE -
A FRAMEWORK FOR GLOBAL EXCELLENCE"
Where Inspiration Meets Purpose
As I have been sharing my recovery journey over the past months, many people have asked what kept me going during some of the hardest moments.
The truth is that purpose plays a powerful role in recovery.
Before my health crisis, one of the projects that had been close to my heart for many years was a book called Professional Performance: A Framework for Global Excellence. It was not something that appeared overnight. The ideas behind it were shaped over more than forty years of working with people, organisations, and teams — watching both success and failure, and learning from both.
During my recovery, when life slowed down dramatically, I had time to reflect again on those lessons.
In unexpected moments, inspiration would return. One of those moments came while watching the Springbok rugby team. Their discipline, unity, and commitment reminded me that excellence never happens by accident. It is built — day by day, decision by decision.
Seeing that spirit reminded me of something important: the principles that build great teams in sport are the same principles that build strong people, organisations, and communities.
That realisation took me back to the message of the book.
Professional Performance is not about perfection or status. It is about character, responsibility, and the daily choices that shape who we become.
The foreword was written by Danie Gerber, a man who understands both excellence and humility through his own remarkable rugby career.
The book reflects lessons learned over many years about:
• building people
• developing character
• serving with integrity
• and creating a culture of responsibility
In many ways, this message has become even more personal to me since my strokes. When life changes suddenly, you realise that true performance is not measured only by achievements — but by perseverance, resilience, and the willingness to keep moving forward.
Today, as I continue rebuilding my life step by step, this work remains part of that journey.
If the message of building people, purpose, and responsibility resonates with you, the book is available here below.
Thank you again to everyone who continues to walk this road with me.
Part of my ongoing memoir: Still Moving Forward.
