[imagesource: Camera Press/ Yousuf Karsh]

In 1999, Nelson Mandela set up the Nelson Mandela Foundation (NMF) after serving one term as the first democratically elected South African president.

He aimed to continue the charity work that he had started to promote human rights and democracy.

The NMF’s work covers a range of areas, including education, HIV/Aids, rural development, and promotion of reconciliation, among others.

According to a whistleblower, it’s also run by two people, CEO Sello Hatang and COO Limpho Monyamane, who have allegedly used their positions of power to exploit the foundation and abuse their staff.

I’m pretty sure that’s not what Mandela had in mind when he set it up.

TimesLIVE reports that allegations against them range from procurement impropriety to misuse of company credit cards. Staff at the NMF have also reported toxic working conditions, which includes bullying staff to appoint service providers outside of the regulatory procurement processes.

“Foul language used by the CEO and other employees openly on staff, leading to trauma and anxiety. Favouritism by the CEO (allowing those [close] to him to come to work intoxicated and smelling of alcohol, and benefits to their with jobs from partners),” were some of the issues listed in the complaint.

Three people within the foundation, in both junior and senior positions, corroborated and confirmed the accusations outlined in the whistleblower’s report.

Image: Mandela Foundation CEO Sello Hatang, Felix Dlangamandla

The report was forwarded to the foundation’s chairperson, Professor Njabulo Ndebele, in December last year, who says that the NMF is “in the process of conducting an investigation to determine the merits of a complaint that was recently received”.

“The NMF is not at liberty to disclose the particular complaint as the subject matter relates to an ongoing investigation.

“However, the NMF confirms that it is not taking the complaint lightly and is implementing the necessary steps to ascertain the merits of the complaint and (will) respond accordingly.”

Examples of the allegations listed in the report include the NMF paying R2 million to a donor to stage a recital of his life story during the 2018 annual lecture festivities.

Mr Concierge entered into a four-year deal with the NMF to replace the Chairman’s Dinner, a traditional supper held the day before or after the lecture, with a recital and dinner in 2018.

In return, the donor would pay the foundation R200,000, plus 10% of monies raised.

Instead, Monyamane allegedly insisted that the NMF paid the company R2 million against an invoice for R4 million.

Image: Nelson Mandela COO Limpho Monyamane, NMF Website

In another instance, businesswoman Mpho Lecoge was paid R144 900 to develop HR policies. Instead, for a further R287 500, Bowman, the foundation’s lawyers, did the work months later.

Then there’s the alleged misuse of company credit cards for personal purchases at fast-food restaurants, bookstores, hardware, and sporting goods stores. Hatang and Monyamane are said to have spent a fair amount of cash at Chicken Licken, Nando’s, Steers, Leroy Merlin, and Cycle Lab.

Bowman is investigating the issues raised, which isn’t ideal because as the foundation’s law firm, there may just be a conflict of interest.

The investigation is ongoing.

[source:timeslive]