studied Philosophy at the University of Stellenbosch where he obtained his BA (in Philosophy and Psychology), Honours and MA degrees (1979-1984), and completed his D Litt et Phil through the University of Fort Hare (1990); majoring in Philosophy.

At present he is professor and head of the Department of Philosophy at the University of Fort Hare, to which institution he has been attached since 1985. He chairs the Southern African Philosopher Consultants Association, is a member of the Philosophical Society of Southern Africa, the Society of Consultant Philosophers (United Kingdom), and the Business Ethics Network of Africa.

He did his Masters dissertation on The Role of the Structural Method in the Hermeneutics of Paul Ricoeur (under Prof Hennie Rossouw); and the topic for his doctoral thesis (under Prof Gerhard Rauche) was Language and Actuality in Contemporary Thought (1993). His academic orientation in philosophy is the historical- hermeneutical tradition.

His special interests are: Business Ethics, Practical thinking skills, the Socratic Dialogue method, Dilemma Training, African Philosophy, Creativity and Entrepreneurship, Philosophy with Children, Counselling Practice, Conflict Resolution.

He and his wife, Anleen, has started a consultation business in 1999 called the Centre for Practical Dialogue.

The family lives in Hogsback and East London. They have been in the Border region since 1985. Tobie is a keen sportsman and has represented Border Veterans Tennis at SA interprovincial level for three years. In his free time he does mountain biking and hiking with the family, designs websites, coaches tennis, attempts creative writing, engages in community projects and much more.

Tobie can be contacted at

P.O. Box 56, Hogsback 5721. Tel (045) 962 1130; or cell 082 200 3489.

work: tel (040) 602 2070