Thebe's suspension evokes different emotions

The suspension or departure of the Corporate and Media Relations Regional Director at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, Mercy Thebe has elicited differing opinions about her character and work ethic from the university community.

Although there is talk that the two parties may have reached a mutual separation agreement, Thebe is serving suspension with travel restrictions over allegations of breaching confidentiality at the institution. The Midweek Sun gathered various accounts of the socialite’s character and work ethics from those around her.

In an interview, one of the students said Thebe was the reason she applied to study at Limkokwing. “She branded the institution so well and was the face of the school. She worked hard to make Limkokwing visible and competitive,” she said, adding that Thebe had given her whole life to Limkokwing. Thebe is also commended by her supporters for not making the school a strict and uptight university, but giving it an element of flexibility, as well as glitz and glamour. “Through her, we have hosted fashion events, and a lot of us now own fashion businesses. We even co-organised Miss Botswana and at one point, our schoolmate scooped the title!” said one man who graduated last year.

She is also applauded for striking academic partnerships with influential organizations and making Limkokwing more active on social-corporate platforms.
She felt bigger than the school itself -Critics. For some people in the school management, Thebe has been nothing but ‘a headache’ from the beginning. She is described as ‘an arrogant diva who wanted everything to revolve around her’ by one of the managers. According to the source, Thebe wanted Limkokwing to be associated with her.

“Whether it was a visit by the president Ian Khama or our founder Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Paduka Dr Lim Kok Wing, she always wanted to be on the forefront. She loves attention,” said the source, adding that Thebe’s teammates from the Public Relations department were also not amused with her hunger for spotlight. “They always complained to us that she wanted to do everything alone. She was bossy and had no room for their views and ideas,” added the source.

Even though the source admitted that Thebe is a public figure who has branded herself well among members of the public, she said that Thebe had forgotten that she was also an employee of the school like everyone else.One of the students also stated that Thebe wanted to turn the school into a fashion hub. “She had forgotten that this is a place of learning, and not a fashion club,” she said.

All eyes on Dr Limkokwing
Thebe has always been open about having Dr Limkokwing as her mentor and role model. She has shared photos with him on social media and spoke passionately about how much he inspires her in the press. Now it remains to be seen how the founder of the institution will respond to the whole saga. However, sources said he is not the type to give up on Thebe. “She has been reported to him several times before over misconduct but he never took strict measures,” said one of the administration officers.

It is said that he is taking it hard to believe that Thebe could betray him, or has done so. Thebe said she was not doing interviews on the issue, and sent The Midweek Sun to the university authorities. Marketing Director Lesego Goitsemang could not respond to questions sent at the time of going to press.