Marthinus Johannes van Staden matriculated at Hoërskool Brits in 1958. He obtained the B.A. degree from the University of Pretoria in 1961, and the Higher Education Diploma in 1962 from the College of Education in Pretoria. Through extramural studies, he obtained the B.Ed. degree in 1968, the M.Ed. degree in 1971 and a Doctor’s degree in Education in 1974 from Unisa. After entering the teaching profession in 1963 he worked as teacher, senior teacher, senior lecturer, departmental head, vice rector and rector until he retired in 2002. In 1994, the University of Pretoria awarded an extraordinary professoriate to him. After retiring, the University of Pretoria appointed him as Advisor to the Rector.
He was a member of the Senate and a Faculty Council member of the Faculty of Education at the University of Pretoria. He was a member of the Council of the College of Education for Further Training of South Africa, chairman of the Committee of Rectors of Educational Colleges in Gauteng (and member of its National Committee), member of the Transvaal Teachers’ Association (chairman in Gauteng and vice-chairman of the National Union) as well as chairman of the Committee for Educators Training (in Gauteng as well as nationally). He served on various other committees and boards of the Teachers’ Association.
He coached the Northern Transvaal High Schools rugby team, was vice-president of the Northern Transvaal Rugby Union, chairman of the Disciplinary Committee, and later president of the College of Education Rugby Club. He still serves on various academic, sport, cultural, professional and other societies.
The Transvaal Teachers’ Association honoured him with honorary membership. In 1999, the highest award of the Educational College, a medal of honour, was awarded to him.
He has been a member of Medihelp since 1967 and has served on the Scheme’s Board of Trustees since 1998, where he currently holds the position of vice-chairman.