Langa Madonko, once hailed as a thought leader in niche alternative investment, has been thrust into a fake qualifications scandal and amid the growing backlash, the businessman’s LinkedIn page, boasting more than 5 000 followers, has mysteriously disappeared.
Langa Madonko LinkedIn page mysteriously disappears
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Madonko’s LinkedIn page, once a testament to his extensive experience in financial services and management consulting, has vanished.
Madonko presented himself as a pivotal figure in the investment sector, co-founding Summit Africa. This firm was described as a beacon in the niche alternative investment landscape, committed to delivering unmatched financial returns while fostering socio-economic development through strategic investments in private equity and social infrastructure.
His LinkedIn narrative painted a picture of a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in financial services and management consulting, highlighting prestigious stints at global giants such as JP Morgan and McKinsey & Co. in the United States.
Furthermore, Madonko boasted of his foundational role at the Africa Strategic Impact Fund, working under the tutelage of Arnold Ekpe, the esteemed former CEO of Ecobank.
How Madonko fake qualifications scandal first surfaced
However, recent revelations have shed light on Madonko, a once-respected investment professional whose credentials have come under scrutiny.
The scrutiny over Madonko’s qualifications began when inconsistencies were identified between his claimed achievements and verified records.
Despite listing prominent institutions like the London School of Economics (LSE), McKinsey & Co., and JP Morgan in his resume, Madonko confirmed in a statement to News24 that these claims were inaccurate.
He admitted that his highest academic achievement is an A Level certificate from Zimbabwe, directly contradicting his LinkedIn assertions and CV submissions. Summit Africa publicly acknowledged the potential misrepresentation of Madonko’s qualifications on 16 February 2024.
This isn’t the first qualifications scandal involving the London School of Economics
The London School of Economics (LSE), a highly regarded institution, finds itself again linked to a qualifications scandal, this time involving Langa Madonko.
However, it’s not the institution’s first encounter with such controversies. In a separate incident earlier this year, Thabi Leoka, a prominent South African economist, was embroiled in a dispute over her academic credentials.
In January 2024, Business Day published an exposé accusing Leoka of fabricating her PhD qualifications from LSE, an allegation that came to light following her appointment as an independent non-executive director of Remgro Limited.
Leoka contested the accusations, attributing them to a mix-up with her name change at Home Affairs and dismissing the claims as part of a targeted smear campaign.
She highlighted her battle with degenerative glaucoma and her subsequent departure from Remgro, suggesting her health rather than any controversy influenced her resignation.
However, LSE, in a subsequent statement, confirmed Thabi Leoka was never enrolled at the institution.