Renowned economist Dr Thabi Leoka has found herself at the centre of a qualifications scandal.
Did Thabi Leoka fake her PhD qualification?
A recent Business Day report alleged that Leoka falsified her PhD in Economics from the London School of Economics (LSE).
According to the publication, LSE has no record of Leoka’s supposed PhD qualification.
Leoka has vehemently denied these claims and announced her intent to take legal action against Business Day for publishing the allegations.
This controversy emerges amidst Leoka’s established career in the financial sector.
She has been a prominent figure in South African economics, serving in various capacities, including as an economist at Investec Asset Management in South Africa and London, an Emerging Markets Economist at Barclays in London, Head of Economic Research, SA at Standard Bank, and the Chief Economist for SA at Renaissance Capital.
Her expertise has been recognised widely, earning her the title of Economist of The Year 2017 by the Association of Black Securities and Investment Professionals (ABSIP).
The implications of these allegations are significant, given Leoka’s recent appointment as an independent non-executive director of Remgro Limited.
As reported by MarketScreener on 22 March 2023, Remgro Limited, in their statement, affirmed Leoka’s educational background, stating she obtained her PhD and MSc in Economics from the London School of Economics, alongside an MA in Economic Development and International Trade and a BA in Social Science from Wits University.
The situation has sparked widespread discussion in economics and academic circles, with many awaiting further clarification on the legitimacy of Leoka’s qualifications.