As South Africans remain perplexed and shocked over why renowned economist, Thabi Leoka, would have misrepresented her qualifications, one brand expert believes she should just come clean if she doesn’t have the contentious PhD.
Thebe Ikalafeng has, however, praised the embattled economist for resigning from the MTN and Anglo-American Platinum boards, respectively, saying this will shift negative attention from both firms to Leoka.
Leoka stepped down from the boards amid raging controversy over her failure to provide proof of her alleged PhD to various media outlets who had questioned her about it.
She has, however, denied misrepresenting her qualification, which, she says, was awarded by the the London School of Economics (LSE).
Ikalafeng, like many South Africans who have voiced their opinions on various social media platforms, is confused as to why Leoka would lie about this, given her solid economic expertise.
He says if the economist indeed doesn’t have a PhD, she should own up to her lie and lay low while acquiring that qualification.
Ikalafeng has not spared MTN South Africa and American Platinum from the backlash Leoka has been receiving.
He says the companies should have revealed the information the moment they found out that she had falsified her qualifications.
The founder and principal at Africa Brand Leadership Academy also cautions South Africans against judging Leoka harshly, saying anyone can be seduced by the accessibility a grand status affords an individual.
Leoka, who has told reporters that she is currently in the US undergoing medical treatment for glaucoma, has also been fired from the Presidential Economic Advisory Council.
The move came days after President Cyril Ramaphosa had asked her to expeditiously address the controversy over her qualifications.
According to the National Qualifications Framework Amendment Act, which came into effect in 2019, it is a criminal offence to misrepresent qualifications and transgressors can be slapped with a hefty fine and/or be imprisoned for a period of up to five years.
Debate over Leoka’s saga meanwhile rages on, on social media.
Thabi Leoka must be the first to admit that using fake qualifications to get a position is unforgivable. If it was okay to use the word “unforgivable” to Jacob Zuma; it must be okay when used to you. https://t.co/izoeEmO6aJ
— TK Nala (@NalaThokozane) January 23, 2024
Sharp Thabi Leoka allegedly lied about her PhD , but seeing us rejoice at her downfall is quite disturbing
As a community, we’re supposed to say “ja o flopile, but you’re still one of us, and this is where you can find refuge”
— Lebohang Phokela (@LeboPhokela) January 22, 2024
World class holder…at 24 that’s when you decided to defraud us!🤣🤣😂😂 prof Thabi Leoka The Good Scam Story! You deserve Hollywood https://t.co/TwnaOw26xQ pic.twitter.com/1Bikvk6api
— Kwena Molekwa (@Miz_Ruraltarain) January 23, 2024
After listening to Thabi Leoka interview with Clement, her PhD explanation is… pic.twitter.com/41Vxt4pIeh
— Siphamandla Mbatha (@Ntokozo_Shandu) January 16, 2024
Thabi Leoka is proof of three things:
– Companies and the Government are so desperate to comply with BEE laws that they are willing to hire without doing a basic background check.
– No matter how educated you are, greed can ruin you.
– HR isn’t doing their job.
— Ngamla Gouws 🇿🇦 (@RenaldoGouws) January 23, 2024
It’s telling to me how President Ramaphosa was quick to remove Thabi Leoka from his Economic Advisory Council but wouldn’t remove delinquent ministers from his cabinet.
Performative, at best.
— Oliver Dickson (@Oliver_Speaking) January 23, 2024
The Thabi Leoka drama reminds me of Chris Hart who was a senior economist at Standard Bank with a B Com in Taxation. He also resigned from Standard Bank after some racist tweet and went on to head bigger investment portfolios. And somehow everyone forgot. Thabi will be fine.
— 🌻𝕏𝕏𝕏 Maqhawe 𝕏 𝕏 𝕏🌻 (@MaqPaulM) January 23, 2024
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