Elias is convenor of Family Foundation, Number 43 Trelawney Park; kwaMagogo. Holds a BA Degree Social Science with the University of Swaziland, MSc in Economic Policy and Analysis with Addis Ababa University as well as several professional certificates with Harvard University.

Member of the boards of Multichoice Group, Multichoice SA, Alternative Prosperity Holdings, Strate, CA Sales as well as Global Steering Group (GSG) on Impact Investing.

Previously, Commissioner of the 1st & 2nd National Planning Commission, CEO of the PIC, Head of Policy Analysis at Sanlam, Act. Dep. Director General Economic Policy in the National Treasury, Director of Research, Central Bank of Swaziland. He was also a member of the Boards of the South African Reserve Bank, Government Employee Pension Fund, Airports Company SA as well as the UN Global Compact Board & Chairman of the (UNGC) SA Local Network. Previously, Chairman of Economic Research Southern Africa (ERSA), Chairman of Absa Asset Management and member of Future Planet Capital in London, Avior Capital Markets, Absa Financial Services, Eskom Pension and Provident Fund as well as the V&A Waterfront. He was instrumental in the listing of Multichoice Group and Avior Capital Markets on the JSE (2019 & 2017), as well as, CA Sales on the BSE (2018).

Founder of many initiatives such as the Financial Sector Charter Council, Social Security and Retirement reform, both in South Africa, UNGC Africa Implementation Agenda for the SDGs and the Ratepayers Association network in Swaziland, amongst others. Recently, the Impact Investing SA Movement.

He has published and lectured widely. He is an author, economist, editor, strategist, policy formulator, negotiator, business leader, international events coordinator, public speaker, commentator and book publisher.

Top 40 Alan Paton Awardee in 2007 (Number 43 Trelawney Park; kwaMagogo) and ranked the 14th influential player, Sovereign Wealth Funds Institute, 2013. One of his most recent books is entitled LARRY – Simply Larry, September 2018, is changing lives. Most recently, 10 Years On, April 2019. This was quickly followed by another title, August 2020, number43 covid-19 journey, published in partnership with UN South Africa.