Founding Board member Thabang Mantutle is Executive Director of Leo Legacy Holdings,
which has interests in management consulting, insurance, hygiene & cleaning services and
supplementary education. He has extensive experience in the financial services, medical and
marketing fields.
Q. What motivated you to join the board of the Scholarship Fund?
I had the privilege of growing up witnessing Professor MCM Modiba’s selflessness, what he
stood for and his attitude towards education and efforts to help previously disadvantaged
aspiring doctors become successful surgeons.
I have always believed that healthcare and education are two of the most essential needs of
any society. When the concept of honouring Prof Modiba was proposed, I was glad that I
could be part of an initiative that contributed to what I believe in and to what Prof Modiba
dedicated his exceptional life.
Q. What is the significance of the Scholarship Fund?
South Africa’s constitution guarantees every citizen access to healthcare services through
public and private health sectors. It is also well documented that South Africa has a shortage
of clinicians. Access to quality healthcare in South Africa has been hampered by inequity
thus contributing to inefficiency. I believe that if we can create more specialists in the mould
of Prof Modiba, South African citizens will benefit by having access to quality healthcare.
The MCM Modiba Scholarship Fund enables beneficiaries to realise their aspirations and be
part of Prof Modiba’s legacy and continue the work of creating a healthier and more educated
society.
Q. Working in finance and management contrasts hugely with the NGO space. What lessons
have you been able to use from these environments?
Being a professional can consume you and it can lure you into focusing on yourself without
considering those around you. Like Prof Modiba, I was fortunate to have access to a superior
education which enabled me to be the independent person that I am today. Some of the
fundamental principles of the environment that I operate in are planning and oversight. Being
part of an institution that can improve the circumstances and prospects of disadvantaged
people coupled with the work I do professionally taught me that I too can help others to
improve their lives. South Africa is fast becoming more of a welfare rather than a
developmental state. The welfare system is slowly cracking under the heavy burden of
poverty. For that reason, combining both corporate and philanthropic environments will assist
in turning our country into more of a developmental state.
Q. Reflecting on your role in the organisation and contribution as a Board member, what key
insights on governance and oversight have you gained from the experience?
I would like to believe that the little contribution that I made through my skills and expertise
as a board member was crucial to the collective impact of the board. As a board constrained
by our schedules and limited access to resources, I believe that we have done exceptionally
well based on the impact, trust and commitment we have garnered from all stakeholders.
Committing limited time and resources to an initiative such as this requires enhanced
governance and oversight, because we have to be accountable to our stakeholders for the
effective use of funds, donations and services entrusted to us. Good governance and oversight
increase the transparency of our activities and effectiveness as a board. It allows us to attract
like-minded people to be part of our organisation.
Q. The Professor MCM Modiba Scholarship Fund celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2023.
How do you feel about the Fund’s achievements to date?
The Professor MCM Modiba Scholarship Fund has proven to be an organisation that is
growing exponentially. This has been evident in the ability of the organisation to
continuously enable beneficiaries to become clinicians. Thus, the social mission of the Fund
has already been partially fulfilled and the Fund will continue to support deserving students
to become doctors and hopefully be inspired to go on to become world-class specialists like
Prof Modiba was.