Thabo’s relationship with Metropolitan started in 1989 when the business helped him pay for his studies. He then joined Metropolitan’s Johannesburg Customer Services Office as a service consultant in 1993. With a passion and commitment to helping South Africans achieve their financial life goals, Thabo quickly climbed the ranks and held various senior administrative and management positions, before being recruited to help establish the Johannesburg Contact Centre as Operations Manager from 2001 until 2008, when he left to join our sister company Momentum, where he held several senior management positions.

In 2017 he joined Sanlam Personal Finance (SPF) as Executive Head: Policy Administration, Claims and Multi-Data Operations. But it wasn’t long before he came back home to Metropolitan as Executive Head of Service and Operations in 2019.

Growth, awareness and truth on a personal and professional level are key motivators to the success he has enjoyed. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Economics and Business Management) and a Master of Business Administration, cum laude. Thabo has also completed an Advanced Leadership Certificate in Design Thinking from the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design Thinking at UCT’s GSB and a Senior Leadership Programme from UCT’s GSB, Executive Education. He also graduated from the University of South Africa, Centre for Business Management after completing its Programme in Investment Analysis & Portfolio Management and its Certificate Course in Financial Performance Measurement & Control. When he isn’t leading his team to deliver exceptional client service, Thabo spends his time mastering the skill of meditation, reading or listening to audio books and podcasts, watching sport and enjoying time with his family.

Abulela is a Fellow of the Actuarial Society of South Africa, having qualified in 2014. He holds a BSc (Act Sci), and BCom Hons (Act Sci) from the University of Cape Town.

He has extensive experience and expertise in the insurance and investment industry and is currently the Head of Client and Business Solutions at Metropolitan, responsible for the development and ongoing management of Metropolitan’s insurance range.

Previously, he held several different roles at Old Mutual including the Head of Smoothed Bonus Funds, a R120 billion fund. He believes in the future of South Africa, having been a member of the Actuarial Society of South Africa’s Convention Organising Committee to drive Inclusion & Diversity, as well as tutoring and mentoring learners from previously disadvantaged communities.