A passion for people, coaching and mentoring

I grew up in Botswana, in a family of three: me, my sister, and my grandmother. My parents were here in Johannesburg, working, so my grandmother raised us. It was tough. Grandparents from that generation don't spoil you; they forge you. As a child, I couldn’t see it. The endless chores, the strict discipline, I took it as a lack of love. I thought she was just treating me badly. It's only now, looking back, that I see the truth. Those challenges didn't break me; they shaped me. They made me the strong Black woman I am today.

My deepest regret is that I never got to tell my grandmother that I finally understood. The last time she called me, she was sick. She asked, "What did I ever do to you? You don't even visit me." I cried, got in my car, and drove straight to her. When she saw me, all she said was, "I am so proud of you." That single sentence healed so much in me. She was just raising a child the only way she knew how, and in doing so, she did her best work with me. I am who I am because of her. 

I was a very, very quiet child and went to a boarding school far away from home. My parents were in Joburg, and I had to figure it all out on my own. I arrived at boarding school alone, surrounded by kids with their parents. I cried until a kind woman helped me register and find my dorm. At the end of that year, I packed my bag and said, “I’m leaving Botswana. I need to be with my parents.” I showed up in Joburg and told my dad, “I’m here, and I’m not going back.”

After matric, my path wasn't straightforward. I had a baby and didn't go to university. My dream was to be an astronaut, I’m so curious about what’s happening up there, I still lie on the ground and just watch the stars. But life had other plans. I started working as a waitress in a five-star hotel. Being a curious person, I always wanted to learn more. I’d go into the office and ask the event coordinators and reservationists to teach me what they did. After a few years, the hotel was sold, and I found myself in the motor industry, which I hated. One day, I just quit. I told myself, "I cannot do this."

I joined Henley over 11 years ago and at that time I didn’t even know what Henley was. A former manager from the hotel industry had joined Henley Business School and offered me a four-month temp receptionist role. I took the job because I had nothing else lined up and in those four months, I gave it everything. On my last day, I sent a thank-you email. HR replied, “Who said you’re leaving? Come to my office.” They asked me to train the new receptionist because I’d introduced things they wanted to keep. That led to a role in executive education, and eventually, I became one of Henley’s first interns. A year later, I was hired permanently as a programme coordinator and now I just got promoted as a programme manager in the Executive Education department.

It was a huge learning curve. I was coming from a totally different industry into adult education. I had to understand that we were dealing with human beings who have jobs, families, and real-life problems. I used to sit in meetings with no idea what they were talking about, but I gave myself the opportunity to learn.

Today, I love my job. I love working with people, and I love Henley because they genuinely care. They develop us. I recently completed my higher certificate in management practice (HCMP) and I’m planning on continuing all the way to the DBA. That's my next step: I'm going to be Dr. Sandi. It’s not even a question. It’s inspired by women I work with like Dr Janet Brumme, who got her PhD in her 50s and taught me that it's never too late.

I see people before numbers. I work with human beings first, that’s how I approach my students too. My passion for coaching and mentoring runs deep. Even if I don’t change careers, I know I’m already doing that where I am. When a student emails me to say, ‘Thank you for holding my hand,’ I know I’m in the right place. For me, adult learning means understanding that students come with real-life challenges. It’s never just about who submitted or didn’t. It’s about the person behind the assignment.

I am my own inspiration. Coming from a family where my mom was a domestic worker and my grandmother was a housewife; I’m the first woman to go out and take on the world like this. My boss, Linda Buckley, also inspired me to lead with heart and joy. From the day she called me the "Appreciation Officer," I knew I wanted to be like her.

I would simply tell my 20-year-old self to “stop doubting yourself, you are good enough.” As Barack Obama once said, you always think everyone in the boardroom is way smarter than you, until you sit with them at the table. It’s not about being smart; it’s about being exposed to things. Just stick around a little while longer, and you will see.

“Tebs started as our Henley Appreciation Officer 11 years ago. She earned that name as she was and is exactly that. Someone who makes others feel seen, heard and appreciated. Tebs has also grown in remarkable ways. She has forged forward with her learning trajectory as a lifelong learner, never scared to take on more. Work, kids, home, study... et al. I salute her passion, integrity, smarts and relational skills. Hence her promotion, amongst other things. Congrats on your 11 years at the place we call Henley Africa.” ~Linda Buckley, Pro Dean: Teaching and Learning and Student Experience