Dr Thabi Leoka: Profile, Biography & Ph.D Controversy
Dr Thabi Leoka is an economist, financial advisor, businesswoman and econometric historian. She was born on February 7, 1978 and served as a member of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC) following her appointment by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2019 until her termination in 2024.
Dr Thabi Leoka who is currently 45years of age is one of the most vibrant and intelligent economist in the country. She is the founder and Managing Director of Naha Advisory, an economic advisory and consulting company.
Education
Thabi Leoka obtained her National Senior Certificate in 1996 after matriculating at St Cyprian’s High School. She studied Bachelor of Accounting at Wits -University of the Witwatersrand and also got her Master’s in Accounting at the same university.
She got her Master’s and Ph.D in Economics at The London School of Economics and Political Science – LSE. She acquired her Ph.D in 2008 (A claim which is been investigated.)
Thabi Leoka has a robust CV, boasting of about 5 degrees that span International economics and International relations.
Career
Thabi Leoka started her career at Investec Asset Management, dealing with bonds predominantly and buying. After her studies in the UK, she joined Barclays Capital and Barclays Wealth where she looked and observed at emerging market countries and their bond and wealth, seeking the best management for high income individuals.
She moved back to South Africa in October 2011 and by the end of same month, she secured an employment with Standard Bank where she was the head of research for the South Africa team. After working for sometime at Standard Bank, she moved to Renaissance Capital and then Argon Asset Management.
In 2018, She was appointed by the Minister of Finance to review the zero-rated products in order to support the poor and vulnerable in the country after an increase in the VAT.
She served on the boards of several companies including the Small Business Institute, Act-Afrique and MTN SA. She also serves on the Statistics South Africa Council where she chairs the Economic Committee.
Relationship Life
Thabi Leoka isn’t married to anyone. Although her relationship life has always been private, her marital status has remained single.
She’s focused on building her career, and in a tweet from some years back, she defended her decision, as well as the decisions of other adults, to be single, emphasizing that such choices should be respected.
“The decision for anyone (of legal age) to get married should not come to a vote. It’s a human right!” – she tweeted
Allegations of PhD Fraud
On January 17, 2023, The Daily Maverick published an article where it alleged that Thabi LEOKA forged her PhD degree, postulating that Thabi LEOKA never got a PhD degree in Economics from The London School of Economics and Political Science – LSE.
The Daily Maverick revealed that the school in which Thabi LEOKA claimed she had her degree from was unable to verify her name on their record, hence they concluded that she never a degree and therefore presented a fake result.
“For weeks, Daily Maverick has sought answers from Leoka, requesting copies of her alleged PhD certificate and thesis. Her undertaking to provide evidence has come to nothing. The LSE and the University of London have confirmed to Daily Maverick that they have no record of Leoka being awarded a PhD from either body.” – The Daily Maverick
Response To PhD Fraud Allegations
Dr Thabi Leoka responded to the allegations brought forward by The Daily Maverick, insisting she had her PhD at The London School of Economics and Political Science – LSE.
In an interview with Radio 702, Thabi Leoka said she had a change of name, so their is bound to be an error when an enquiry is been made on her person.
Resignation
Following the ongoing investigation into her Ph.D claims, Dr Thabi Leoka seat and membership at the the Presidential Economic Advisory Council was terminated on the 22 January. She has also quit her position on both the Anglo American Platinum and MTN SA boards.
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