A great mentor does not simply prepare you to follow; he prepares you to lead

Mr Titus was not only the Dean of Students at Pentech; he was a mentor, a leader, a steward of student development and, for me personally, one of the most influential Student Affairs professionals I have had the privilege of working under.

From 1993 to 2004, I had the extraordinary opportunity to serve under his guidance and stewardship as Deputy Dean of Students. Those eleven years were among the most formative years of my professional life, shortly after I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of the Western Cape.

Mr Titus possessed a rare leadership quality: he created opportunities for others to lead while remaining present as a mentor, guide and trusted adviser.

During his extensive travels in his capacity as President of the South African Rugby Union (SARU), he entrusted me with considerable responsibility. In his absence, I was afforded the space and confidence to serve, in effect, as the de facto Dean of Students — but always within the framework of his mentorship, guidance and stewardship.

That trust was transformative.

He allowed me to learn by doing, to make decisions, to engage complex student and institutional matters, and to develop my own leadership voice. Yet, whenever guidance was required, his wisdom and experience were never far away.

Looking back, I can say with gratitude that Mr Titus played a defining role in shaping me into the Student Development and Student Affairs professional I became.

Much of what I understand today about student-centred leadership, institutional stewardship, mentoring, student development and the importance of creating opportunities for young people was nurtured during those formative years under his leadership.

His influence therefore extends far beyond the years we worked together. It lives on in the students and colleagues I have subsequently served, the institutions I have contributed to, and the generations of Student Affairs practitioners whose work has been shaped by the values we inherited from those who came before us.

Mr Titus, on your birthday, I salute you – profoundly so.

Thank you for trusting me.

Thank you for giving me room to lead.

Thank you for correcting, guiding and mentoring me.

Thank you for demonstrating that great leadership is not about holding tightly to authority, but about developing people and giving them the confidence to grow into their own leadership.

I remain deeply grateful for the privilege of having served under your stewardship.

To the thousands of students who passed through your care and leadership, you were simply “Mr. T” – a trusted and trustworthy guardian, a father figure and a steadfast presence who understood what it meant to stand in loco parentis.

You did far more than occupy the office of Dean of Students. You became a guardian of young people’s aspirations, a counsellor in moments of uncertainty, a voice of reason in times of difficulty, and a champion of their potential.

For countless students, you helped navigate the difficult transition from adolescence to adulthood, providing guidance, discipline, encouragement and opportunities that helped steer their lives towards the people they would ultimately become.

Your legacy is therefore not confined to Pentech’s history or to the records of Student Affairs. Your greatest legacy is written in the lives of the thousands of students you served, mentored and guided.

Today, we celebrate you, Mr T – the Dean, the mentor, the guardian, the father figure and the people’s “Mr T.”

Happy 79th Birthday!

May you continue to be blessed with good health, happiness and peace, surrounded by the knowledge that generations of students remember you with gratitude and affection.

You were their Dean.
You became their guardian.
You helped shape their futures.
And to many, you will forever be remembered simply as – Mr T. ❤

Happy Birthday, Mr T!

Segomotso Sebokedi-Phetlh, who served as the Deputy Dean of Students at Pentech from 1993 to 2004, writes in his personal capacity, and the views expressed are his own, independent of Student Times.