Known as Tienie Lott, he was born on 21 Aug 1957. He grew up in Tiervei (now known as Ravensmead) and was educated at Florida High School. Tienie went on to higher education at the University of the Western Cape and after graduation took up a teaching post at Uitsig Primary School. He joined the SACC Defence Force in September 1978 and attained the position of Company Commander serving in various provinces in South Africa as well as northern Nigeria and Angola. After various posts in Queenstown and East London he moved back to Cape Town in 1996. By 2014 he had served 19 years in the Regular Force and 17 years in the Reserve Force. With the rank of lieutenant-colonel, he took over command of the Cape Town Highlanders on 1 March 2014. He is married to Pauline and has three children, Yvette, Nathaniel and Anthea.
