Complaints from several women precipitated the departure of Sello Hatang as CEO of the Nelson Mandela Foundation (NMF) this week, the Sunday Times has learnt.
Hatang, who was serving three months’ notice after resigning in May, was shown the door prematurely on Wednesday after being found guilty of “conduct unbecoming”.
The Sunday Times understands complaints were lodged by women both inside and outside the organisation days after his resignation was announced to staff in May.
Details of the complaints and of the misconduct charge are unclear. Both Hatang and the foundation declined to provide information about them.
But in an interview at his home on Friday, Hatang described his feelings as “raw” and “hurt”, insisting that he was innocent. He said he was still consulting his family as well as his lawyers on whether to challenge the findings and his dismissal.
For me this week was a moment, yes a very painful one, but it was a moment in time, and this journey has had very difficult moments
— Sello Hatang
“As much as I am saddened by the decision, I still deeply believe in the work of the NMF. I still believe the foundation is a vehicle that can be used for good … This period has been very difficult, and in part it has said to me, ‘You can change the world using a different vehicle.’”
Hatang, 50, said it was a shame that “conduct unbecoming” charge had come as he was leaving the foundation.
In 2021, Hatang and COO Limpho Monyamane were the subjects of an anonymous complaint from staff relating to procurement irregularities, misuse of foundation credit cards, abuse of power and intimidation. They were cleared after an investigation by law firm Bowmans, which recommended, among other things, that they receive appropriate training.
The NMF would not reveal details of that investigation or the Bowmans report, but the Sunday Times has established that the whistleblowers — believed to be two senior staff — were paid to leave the foundation in terms of a secret mutual separation agreement that cost the NMF more than R1m.
Foundation chair professor Njabulo Ndebele declined to discuss the issue, saying it was confidential. He also said the foundation was satisfied that the 2021 investigation had no relation to the latest accusations against Hatang.
About the process that led to Hatang being axed, Ndebele said the NMF was legally obliged “to respect and protect the privacy of all involved — including the complainants — by maintaining confidentiality”.
Ndebele said the allegations had been taken “extremely seriously” and the board took “appropriate steps”. “This decision was made and executed because the board recognised its duty … to hold individuals accountable for wrongdoing,” he said.
“As this is an internal process, it would be inappropriate and unlawful for the foundation to publicise information pertaining to [it] and to its employees. As we are sure you will appreciate, we cannot and will not waver on this legal obligation. This, among other issues, was canvassed with staff on Wednesday.”
Ndebele said questions raised by staff at this meeting were answered as fully as possible, “while being aware of our legal obligations”.
A source with knowledge of the staff meeting said some in attendance had sought details of the complaints against Hatang. The source said they drew a comparison with the case of University of Pretoria vice-chancellor professor Tawana Kupe, who was reported this week to have been cleared of an anonymous sexual harassment allegation made against him last year.
News24 reported Kupe resigned prematurely last month because he was unhappy about the way the university had handled the case.
This decision was made and executed because the board recognised its duty … to hold individuals accountable for wrongdoing
— Professor Njabulo Ndebele
Hatang told the Sunday Times he considered moving on after the 2021 charges, but it was two health scares at the end of last year and the need to be more available to his family that prompted his resignation in May.
He said after Covid the job had become more demanding; at one time he had been able to visit his mother in Klerksdorp every week, but during the whole of last year he only visited her twice.
“When taking this job, you must be aware of the sacrifices because it can have a devastating impact on family life … The decision for me was about replenishing,” he said.
“I think what transpired this week… made me reflect on how I could have contributed to it by not leaving earlier. Maybe I stopped inspiring people... I should take some responsibility for how, if I had dropped the mic sooner, maybe I would not have been here. It doesn’t take away from what the institution is capable of.”
Asked if the complaints left a cloud lingering over his head, he said: “If it lingers, it lingers in the minds of those who don’t know me. I must continue to represent my name well, and I might be unhappy with the decision, but sometimes you have to look after your health.
“The challenge when I was appointed CEO was to ensure that the legacy of Nelson Mandela continues to be remembered daily … Being conscious about this means that even a moment like this, when you leave, you must still look back and say, ‘I did it.’ For me this week was a moment, yes a very painful one, but it was a moment in time, and this journey has had very difficult moments.”
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