We want to extend a warm welcome to Dr. Daniel Potgieter and his wife, Mrs. Sanet Potgieter. Dr. Potgieter took office as Vice President for Student Services on July 1, 2026. Dr. Potgieter is a Seventh-day Adventist minister, educator, and church administrator with more than three decades of ministry experience across South Africa. He began his pastoral career in 1992 as Dean of Men at Helderberg College of Higher Education in Cape Town, South Africa, then served congregations across South Africa for 22 years. In 2018, he joined the Cape Conference, serving in a series of leadership roles: as Executive Secretary beginning in 2018, briefly as Acting President in 2021, and finally as Human Resources Manager, a position he held until mid-2026, when he was appointed Vice President for Student Services at AIIAS. Dr. Potgieter holds a Doctor of Ministry in Church Growth and Evangelism, with a specialization in Urban Missions, from the Adventist University of Africa in Nairobi, Kenya, where he graduated with academic excellence honors. He also holds a Master's degree in Practical Theology from the University of the Free State, a Bachelor's degree in Theology from Andrews University, and certificates in Human Resource Management and Paralegal Studies from the University of Cape Town. He also served as a peer reviewer for the International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Sciences, for which he completed more than 70 reviews. He has also taught Greek as an adjunct lecturer at Helderberg College of Higher Education. His academic and ministry focus centers on equipping churches and leaders to engage with the demands of urban contexts, with particular interest in discipleship, mission, and sustainable congregational growth. "I am honored to be appointed to the position of Vice President for Student Services," Dr. Potgieter said. "I was drawn to this role by the mission focus of AIIAS: disciple-making in the context of the Three Angels' Messages, and by the warmth of the colleagues, staff, and students I have already come to know." Dr. Potgieter is married to Sanet, who has spent thirty years teaching Grade 1 in the Foundation Phase. The couple has three sons. Deon, 30, works as an actuary and lives in Somerset West with his wife Suzanne, who is a music teacher. Jaco, 28, is a backend programmer and also lives in Somerset West. Hugo, 25, works as a Business Analyst for a company that manufactures its own advertising hardware and software, and lives in Cape Town. Dr. Potgieter’s hobbies are hiking and spending time in nature, reading, and helicopters (especially when he gets to fly in them). He also enjoys figuring out how to use new computer software. Sanet enjoys gardening, crafts/art, and Bible journaling with art. She is looking forward to the day she becomes a grandmother. Dr. Potgieter’s favorite song is “Fill my cup, Lord”. The song’s message encapsulates Dr. Potgieter’s passion: sharing how Jesus has “filled his cup and made him whole” and inviting others into a saving relationship with Jesus. As we welcome them into the AIIAS community, we know their vibrant Christian experience will inspire us as they serve at AIIAS.
