PhD Fizzle, Boardroom Bailout: Did Titans of Industry Ignore Red Flags?
(Johannesburg, SA): In a saga as twisted as a Johannesburg backstreet, two South African giants, Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) and MTN SA, are facing scrutiny for their deafening silence over alleged lapses in vetting Dr. Thabi Leoka’s credentials before welcoming her onto their esteemed boards.
Image Source: Illustrative image | Thabi Leoka in 2019. (Photo: Gallo Images / Jeffrey Abrahams)
Leoka, whose CV boasted a prestigious PhD in economics from the London School of Economics (LSE), abruptly resigned last Monday, citing health concerns and a swirling storm of doubt around her academic achievements.
But questions linger louder than mine blasts in a platinum pit. Business Day’s investigative scoop exposed the phantom PhD, sending shockwaves through corporate South Africa. The LSE confirmed: Leoka never earned the coveted doctorate. Yet, Amplats and MTN, mum as desert ghosts, haven’t uttered a peep about how this glaring discrepancy slipped through their supposedly rigorous vetting processes.
Amplats, a R216 billion behemoth on the JSE, proudly highlighted “PhD” amongst Leoka’s qualifications on their website. A stark contrast to Netcare, a private healthcare group, who’ve owned up to their missteps. They commissioned a background check, only to conveniently overlook the glaring absence of the PhD in the report. “Regrettably, this diligence was not exercised,” they sheepishly admitted.
Meanwhile, Amplats and MTN remain holed up in their boardrooms, playing corporate ostrich. Their deafening silence speaks volumes, fuelling speculation of negligence, lax oversight, or – gasp – deliberate disregard. Were they blinded by Leoka’s impressive résumé and connections, overlooking the glaring red flag?
This saga isn’t just about a phantom PhD; it’s about accountability, transparency, and the integrity of South Africa’s corporate leadership. Can these titans of industry continue to hide behind a veil of silence while public trust crumbles like cheap diamonds? Or will they finally step up, acknowledge their shortcomings, and hold themselves accountable?
The clock is ticking, and South Africa is watching. Will Amplats and MTN break their silence, or will they forever be remembered as the boardrooms that bowed to empty titles and turned a blind eye to truth?
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