Growing up in Tsomo and Port Elizabeth, Dr OT eventually landed up at Helderberg College, Somerset West, where he studied a Bachelors Degree in Theology. He then proceeded to do a Master of Arts in Religion and a Master of Divinity degree at Andrews University in Michigan, USA. He later obtained a Doctorate in Theology from Stellenbosch University.

He has served the Seventh day Adventist church for 36 years in different capacities, namely, chaplaincy, church pastor, departmental secretary, lecturer, conference president, and church and school administrator.

When he retired, he directed his energies towards serving the community at large. He achieved this by forming Kumanz’obom Ministries, which focuses on the following tenets: Preaching, Teaching, Counselling, and Writing.

Dr OT’s philosophy of service is based on the words of General Douglas MacArthur which states, "Be ashamed to die until you have done something for humanity".