Thebe Mabiletsa: Secretary General – The Grind Foundation (2013- 2019)

Thebe Mabiletsa - Senior Banker – Head: Asset Managers & Pension Funds at ABSA

“I would like to be remembered as someone who cares a lot about the less fortunate and was willing to work hard to do my bit for the wider community.”

Q1: Tell us about where your life (and career) was circa 2013, before The Grind?

A1: I was in my third year as Director in Absa CIB markets (equities) having helped establish the business in 2010, and after a 5yr career at Merrill Lynch (VP: Equities). I was married, with two beautiful children Tsiamo & Sarabi, 6yrs & 4yrs old respectively.

Q2: How did the idea of registering a Foundation come about?

A2: As a new but small generation of black financial markets professionals we felt it was important to conversate often, support each other and coalesce around certain principals and ideas. The first step in the journey to forming the foundation was an informal chat group called The Grind. During a robust conversation about the failure of government to provide basic services, we felt that education and therefore our children’s futures were being most significantly impacted. In the spirit of doing rather than complaining, we moved to establish The Grind Foundation.

Q3: Was it an easy sell to the founding members?

A3: Yes, it was an easy sell, and many of the Grind founding members have children, and are familiar with the impact education has on their lives and future career prospects. Many of the founding members also came from disadvantaged backgrounds, and therefore have firsthand experience of some of the difficulties less resourced schools face on a daily basis.

Q4: As a Grind member, what about our mission resonates with you? 

A4:  The focus on education interventions because of the positive ripple effect it can have on children’s current and future prospects. We also believe there is a multiplier effect in their communities.

Q5: What, in your opinion, has been our biggest moment / milestone so far?

A5: There are so many, such as when we first registered The Grind Foundation as an NGO, to our first investments and AGM. Accepting women into The Grind Foundation for the first time was also a huge milestone, and has had a massive impact already.

Q6: What would you like to be remembered for - what type of legacy would you like to leave?

A6: I would like to be remembered as someone who cares a lot about the less fortunate and was willing to work hard to do my bit for the wider community.

Q7: This edition of the newsletter is inspired by Heritage Month and Our Origins. How important is heritage to you?

A7: Very important as it gives us our identity, and is in a sense an anchor we can attach ourselves to, especially as society becomes more multi-cultural and westernized.

Grind Feed: Thebe Mabiletsa