GETTING TO KNOW KOBUS TERBLANCHE

I was born in Pretoria on the 21st of March 1964. We are five children, 3 boys and 2 girls, I am the second born. I am a father of a son (Jeanru), who is turning 27 this year. He is in his final year completing his B.Ed degree. I am cohabiting with Althea in a house we bought in Silverton. I met her in Switzerland in 2011 during the World Gymnaestrada event when she was representing the Northern Cape team as a coach of one of the teams performing. She is originally from Kimberley.

I matriculated in 1982 from Hoërskool Alberton (the Afrikaans High School). From 1983 to 1984 I had to do my military service for two years, in the Infantry Unit and spent a couple of months on the border with my own platoon. I am actually a very quiet person, except when the Gauteng Lions are playing rugby. I have a big heart, which becomes a problem sometimes because I want to accommodate everyone.

WHICH PLACE DO YOU CALL HOME?

Pretoria is my home, although I stayed in different towns in Gauteng as a child. In Primrose (Germiston), Brenthurst (Brakpan) and Brackenhurst (Alberton). My father was - he is on pension now, a minister in the Dutch Reformed Church, hence the relocation to different towns.

WHO DO YOU REGARD AS THE HEARTBEAT OF YOUR FAMILY?

Definitely my mother. She was the cornerstone in our family. Sadly, she passed away in 2015 due to cancer. It was something we did not expect, after she went for chemotherapy and was “clean” for ± a year. The big “C” came back. This time more aggressive than before and her time with us was not even three months. I miss her dearly.

She had a beautiful voice, singing in choirs - in churches or invited to perform at weddings or to be a performer at special events. She recorded three albums, but we did not do the “marketing” effective enough.

DO YOU THINK YOU’D STILL BE THE SAME PERSON IF YOU HAD A DIFFERENT NAME?

Yes, I will be the same person. What is in a name? What is important is what’s “inside” of you as a person and not your name. How you interact with people is important. Respect, dignity and integrity are the words you must remember when you relate to people. In your working environment, please remember, your level of appointment does not mean you are of a “lesser human being”. The work that needs to be done and completed on that level needs specific requirements. The person appointed on that level has those requirements. If you do not respect the person appointed in that post; respect the post. It will have an enormous impact in your working environment.

WHEN DID YOU JOIN THE DEPARTMENT? TAKE US THROUGH YOUR JOURNEY.

Firstly, I joined Government in 1989 as a teacher. Secondly, in 1992 I was appointed as a Principal Sport Promotion Officer in the National Department of Sport and Recreation Advancement. My office was in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. The region/area I had to service stretched from the West Rand to Mpumalanga including the Kruger National Park. I had to communicate and interact with National Federations. I had the privilege of working or interacting with chairpersons and presidents on International level as well. I served on numerous Local Organising Committees when we as a country hosted those events; World Squash for men and women, World Ice Hockey, Pool D for U/21, World Equestrian at the Rand Show, Rapport/Momentum Cycling Tour, World Corporate Games, Rugby World Cup, Africa Games, S.A. Games, and so on.

I also had the privilege of being appointed from the National Department, to have access to the VIP Customs area at the O.R Tambo International Airport. I collected and transported VIP dignitaries from the airplanes - without going through customs, already cleared by Department of Home Affairs- to their various meetings and hotels. I must tell you that I have the signature of Michael Johnson,1999 World record holder in the 400m and 200m. I also had my regions/areas which I had to assist with development and organising events and projects. Soweto was my biggest region. Pre-1994, I received an official award from the Soweto Sports Council - still with me, for assisting them in their tournaments and events. This was a great honour.

Thirdly, I was transferred to the Gauteng Department of Sport and Recreation in 1996. I was appointed as a Sport Official in Mamelodi. Currently, I am still based in the North Corridor, managing different regions in Tshwane, regarding staff, programmes and projects.

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE CHANGE OR IMPROVE IN YOUR WORK ENVIRONMENT?

I have two. Communication and feedback. Being in a Region, we have to receive the necessary communication and feedback on time to finalise the implementation or postponement of our Events/Projects. We as the officials have the difficult task to inform the communities/clubs and federations that the planned event is either postponed or cancelled.

WHAT’S YOUR DEAL BREAKER IN ANY RELATIONSHIP?

To be unfaithful.

WHAT’S THE ONE THING YOU CAN’T GO A DAY WITHOUT?

My coffee. I love the taste of freshly made Americano with hot milk and three sugars, doesn’t matter the size of the mug.

DO YOU HAVE ANY SECRET TALENTS THAT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?

I am a good pencil sketcher. I have some framed in my house.

WHAT IS THE CRAZIEST THING YOU’VE EVER DONE?

In primary school, I think it was grade 6, the teacher asked a question no one knew the answer in class. She said if someone will come and give her a kiss on the cheek, she will give the answer to that person. I went and gave her a kiss on the cheek and got the answer. During break, I got a lot of kisses from the girls- no boy kisses; on my cheek and gave them the answer. I was a happy boy.

WHAT WOULD YOU DESCRIBE AS YOUR LAIDBACK MOMENT?

To have a braai on a Saturday afternoon, and watch rugby on my Lapa.

HOW HAS COVID-19 AFFECTED YOU?

The wearing of a mask. No one would have imagined that one day, all humans would be wearing a mask or something covering their faces with only the eyes visible. I had to adapt as per regulations. I am more conscious about where I am going too or who I am visiting. I had a knee operation on 13 February 2020. I was booked off for six weeks. I had to resume my duties on 31 March 2020. Lockdown started on midnight 26 March 2020. I had to stay at home for another six to eight weeks until we reached at least level three. I was SO frustrated and irritated. That is when a person realises how fortunate we were to visit family, conduct or be part of meetings without the need to wear masks or sanitising hands, enjoy sporting events, go to church, go to the Malls, etc. without being constrained in one place.

WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ABOUT OUR “NEW NORMAL”?

The “New Normal” is difficult to accept. You have to change your mindset, as per your “Past Normal”. Until the Pandemic is under control, I have to adapt and accept changes that the Pandemic force us into. If you don’t do that, you will have a frustrating life.

WHAT WOULD YOU DESCRIBE AS YOUR DREAM RETIREMENT DESTINATION?

Anywhere close to the sea. I am definitely planning my retirement, somewhere, where I can see and smell the sea - watch this space.

SHARE FIVE FACTS ABOUT YOU THAT YOU BELIEVE YOUR COLLEAGUES DON’T KNOW.

1. I played rugby for Transvaal, High Schools Golden Lions, Craven Week in 1982 in Windhoek, Namibia. I played wing. I scored two tries in the opening match against Griquas. 2. I was an athlete as well. I represented Transvaal - Gauteng Central, under 21 and on senior level. The 110m hurdles was my event which I participated in from 1985 to1988. 3. I love German Shepherds, I had three. Two black/tan and one white. Very intelligent, loveable and reliable dogs. 4. I can make awesome pancakes, not a lie. 5. I have a passion for historical places.