Mamokgethi Phakeng

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Mamokgethi Phakeng
Mamokgethi Phakeng
Former Vice-Chancellor of University of Cape Town
In office
1 July 2018[1] – 3 March 2023[2]
ChancellorGraça Machel
Precious Moloi-Motsepe
Preceded byMax Price
Succeeded byDaya Reddy
Personal details
Born (1966-11-01) 1 November 1966 (age 57)
Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria, South Africa
Children1
Alma materUniversity of North-West
University of the Witwatersrand
AwardsAfrica Education Medal (2022)[3]

Rosina Mamokgethi Phakeng GCOB OIG (née Mmutlana, born 1 November 1966)[4] is a South African[5] professor of mathematics education who in 2018 became a vice-chancellor of the University of Cape Town (UCT).[6][7] She has been the vice principal of research and innovation, at the University of South Africa[8] and acting executive dean of the College of Science, Engineering and Technology at UNISA. In 2018 she was an invited speaker at the International Congresses of Mathematicians.[citation needed] In February 2023 it was announced that she would leave her position as vice-chancellor of UCT and take early retirement.[9] She was succeeded by Professor Daya Reddy on 13 March 2023[10]

Early life[edit]

Phakeng was born in Eastwood, Pretoria, to Frank and Wendy Mmutlana (née Thipe). Her mother went back to school after having her three children to complete Form 3 as entry to gaining a Primary Teachers Certificate to practice as a teacher. Her father was one of the first black radio announcers at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).[citation needed]

Phakeng started school in 1972 at Ikageleng Primary in Marapyane village and then Ikageng Primary in Ga-Rankuwa. She attended Tsela-tshweu higher primary; Tswelelang Higher Primary; Thuto-Thebe Middle School; Odi High School and Hebron. She completed her matric with University Exemption in 1983 (Grade 12) in the village of Hebron's College of Education.[citation needed]

Higher education[edit]

Phakeng achieved a Bachelor of Education in mathematics education at the University of North-West,[4] and a M.Ed in mathematics education at the University of the Witwatersrand,[4] and in 2002 became the first black female South African to obtain a PhD in mathematics education.[11][12] In September 2022, Phakeng won the first Africa Education Medal for her commitment to promoting education in Africa, particularly for her research on language practices in multilingual mathematics classrooms.[13]

Career accomplishments[edit]

Phakeng has won awards for excellence in service. These honors include:[citation needed]

  • Doctor of Science, honoris causa, University of Bristol
  • The Order of the Baobab (Silver) for her excellent contribution in the field of science and representing South Africa on the international stage through her outstanding research work presented to her by former president of South Africa Jacob Zuma. (April 2016)
  • Order of Ikhamanga in gold[14]
  • CEO Magazine award for being the most influential woman in education and training in South Africa (August 2013):
  • NSTF award for being the most outstanding Senior Black Female Researcher over the last 5 to 10 years in recognition of her innovative, quality research on teaching and learning mathematics in multilingual classrooms. (May 2011)
  • Golden key International Society Honorary life membership (May 2009)
  • Association of Mathematics Education of South Africa (AMESA) Honorary life membership (July 2009)
  • Amstel Salute to Success finalist (2005)
  • Dr. T. W. Khambule Research Award for being the most outstanding young female black researcher for 2003: Conferred by the NSTF (May 2004)
  • Outstanding Service Award (Education category). Conferred by the Sunday Sun and Christ Centred Church (2004).
  • Finalist for SA Woman of the Year in the Science and Technology Category (2003).
  • Prestige National Award South Africa's Inspirational Women Achievers Award -Conferred by RCP Media, (June 2003).
  • NRF Thuthuka Award (2003–2008).
  • National Research Foundation/National Science Foundation USA/SA fellowship (2001; 2003)
  • Mellon Award (1998 – 2000)
  • SAB Women in Rural Areas Award (1997).[15]

Positions held[edit]

Personal life[edit]

Phakeng was married to Richard Setati for 19 years (1988–2007) and they had one son,[24] Tsholofelo who was born in 1990. In 2012, she married Madimetja Lucky Phakeng, thereby adding the appendage "Phakeng" to her surname. Lucky Phakeng is an advocate currently heading the Takeover Regulation Panel.[citation needed]

Controversy[edit]

Shortly after being appointed to the position as vice-chancellor of UCT allegations questioning Phakeng's academic credentials emerged which were refuted as being part of a smear campaign against her.[25]

On 22 February 2023 it was reported by News24 that Phakeng would take early retirement from her position as vice-chancellor of UCT following the appointment of an independent panel to investigate allegations of mismanagement and abuse of power.[26][27]

Twitter[edit]

During her time at UCT a number of controversial social media statements have been made via Phakeng's Twitter account.[28][29][30]

In 2018 Phakeng controversially congratulated a UCT student activist, Masixole Mlandu, who notably ended his undergraduate paper with the racially divisive slogan "One Settler, One Bullet."[31][32] Phakeng later stated she regretted the divisive incident, did not see the statement before making the congratulatory statement,[33] would never support calls for violence, and was instead trying to congratulate a student on a significant personal academic milestone.[34][35]

Managerial style[edit]

Phakeng's tenure as vice-chancellor of UCT was controversial with accusations by university academics[36][37] and the university's ombud[38][39] that she allowed for the emergence of a culture of fear,[36][38] secrecy, racialisation, unfair treatment and bullying within the university that resulted in the departure of numerous academics.[36][39][40] The ombud[41] and the university's former deputy council chair[40] accused Phakeng of covering up accusations and findings against her whilst the university's former deputy vice-chancellor for teaching and learning accused her of having deliberately misled university's Senate.[36] In a Senate vote on the matter Phakeng controversially cast a deciding vote against an independent investigation into her own conduct, thereby possibly breaching university conflict of interest rules.[37] Phakeng's supporters, including the Economic Freedom Fighters,[36] alleged that she was being targeted by groups resistant to racial transformation of the university.[36][40] UCT stated that the accusations against Phakeng contained within a 2022 Daily Maverick article on the matter were "incorrect, misleading and unethical";[42] the Daily Maverick disputed UCT's criticisms of their article.[43]

Independent Investigation into UCT Governance[edit]

Introduction[edit]

An independent panel, chaired by retired judge Lex Mpati, featuring fellow retired judge Azhar Cachalia, public sector governance expert Trish Hanekom and Wits transformation head Bernadette Johnson [44] investigated governance issues at the University of Cape Town (UCT), triggered by undisclosed events leading to Associate Professor Lis Lange's departure and a subsequent Non-Disclosure Agreement. The probe was initiated amid the extension of Vice-Chancellor (VC) Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng's term, highlighting concerns over executive committee stability and unexplained senior resignations.[45]

Revised Terms of Reference[edit]

The Council revised the investigation's scope following VC Phakeng's agreed exit, broadening the inquiry to address broader governance failures and their impact on executive resignations from January 2018 to December 2022, with a view towards recommending future preventive strategies.[45]

Breaches of Law and Policy[edit]

The Panel implicated former VC Phakeng in several breaches of law and policy, including unlawful contract terminations, defamatory behaviour, conflicts of interest, and unprofessional conduct. Additionally, she engaged in prohibited activities such as issuing threats, employing ethnic slurs, and sharing racially offensive content on social media.[45]

Senior Resignations[edit]

Investigations revealed that the actions of Mamokgethi Phakeng and the Chair of Council, Ms Babalwa Ngonyama, were central to the resignation of several senior UCT officials:

  • Professor Loretta Feris, former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) for Transformation
  • Dr Russel Ally, former Executive Director of Development and Alumni
  • Associate Professor Lis Lange, former DVC for Teaching and Learning
  • Ms Gerda Kruger, former Executive Director of Communication and Marketing
  • Mr Royston Pillay, Registrar
  • Dr Reno Morar, former Chief Operating Officer
  • Professor Linda Ronnie, former Dean of Commerce (now returned as acting DVC for Teaching and Learning)
  • Ms Miriam Hoosain, Executive Director of HR
  • Ms Judith du Toit, Director in the Office of the VC.[45]



References[edit]

  1. ^ University of Cape Town. "Vice-Chancellor". Archived from the original on 11 April 2020. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  2. ^ University of Cape Town. "Acting Vice-Chancellor arrangements". Archived from the original on 4 March 2023. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  3. ^ "Africa Education Medal | T4 Education". t4.education. Archived from the original on 9 October 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d "Mamokgethi (Kgethi) Setati". Who's Who SA. Archived from the original on 15 December 2010. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
  5. ^ "Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, PhD". South African PhD Project. Archived from the original on 1 March 2010. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
  6. ^ "Vice-chancellor| University of Cape Town". uct.ac.za. Archived from the original on 1 July 2018. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
  7. ^ Pityana, Sipho (17 March 2018). "Appointment of New Vice-Chancellor" (Press release). Cape Town: University of Cape Town. Archived from the original on 23 April 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  8. ^ "Unisa Online - Executive management". University of South Africa. Archived from the original on 27 July 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
  9. ^ Chironda, Melody (22 February 2023). "South Africa: UCT Vice Chancellor to Leave With Golden Handshake - South African News Briefs - February 22, 2023". allAfrica.com. Archived from the original on 22 February 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  10. ^ "Appointment of the interim Vice-Chancellor". www.news.uct.ac.za. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  11. ^ "convocation". Wits University. Archived from the original on 1 May 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
  12. ^ "Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng appointed new UCT vice-chancellor". New24. Archived from the original on 17 March 2018. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
  13. ^ Zuma, Mbalenhle (6 September 2022). "Minister Nzimande sings praises of professor Mamokgethi Phakeng". Sunday World. Archived from the original on 10 September 2022. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
  14. ^ Macupe, Bongekile. "Ramaphosa appoints Phakeng to national orders advisory council, earmarks Kolisi for highest honours". News24. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  15. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  16. ^ "Prof Mamokgethi Setati – Executive Dean: College of Science, Engineering and Technology". Unisa Online. Archived from the original on 6 March 2012. Retrieved 6 June 2010.
  17. ^ "Ass.Prof Mamokgethi Setati". University of the Witwatersrand. Wits Marketing. Archived from the original on 25 December 2012. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
  18. ^ "Prof Mamokgethi Setati". International Commission on Mathematics Instruction. Archived from the original on 11 March 2012. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
  19. ^ "200 Young South Africans You Must Take to Lunch: Education & Science". Mail & Guardian. 14 June 2007. Archived from the original on 6 June 2012. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
  20. ^ "Profile of Trustees". FirstRand Foundation. Archived from the original on 21 April 2013. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
  21. ^ "200 Young South Africans You Must Take to Lunch: Science". Mail & Guardian. 26 June 2008. Archived from the original on 10 August 2010. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
  22. ^ Karolia, Sameerah (19 August 2010). "The problem solver". Mail & Guardian. Archived from the original on 24 August 2010. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
  23. ^ Bristol, University of. "2021: Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng BIVP announcement | International Research Partnerships | University of Bristol". www.bristol.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 28 September 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  24. ^ "Setati, Mamokgethi". The Little Black Book. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
  25. ^ "UCT, Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng and accusations of fake qualifications". The Mail & Guardian. 11 October 2017. Archived from the original on 3 October 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  26. ^ Chironda, Melody (22 February 2023). "South Africa: UCT Vice Chancellor to Leave With Golden Handshake - South African News Briefs - February 22, 2023". allAfrica.com. Archived from the original on 22 February 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  27. ^ Charles, Adriaan Basson and Marvin. "EXCLUSIVE | Embattled vice-chancellor Phakeng leaves UCT with R12m golden handshake". News24. Archived from the original on 22 February 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  28. ^ Charles, Marvin. "Phakeng says UCT instructed her to hire social media manager amid storm over tweets". News24. Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  29. ^ Charles, Marvin. "UCT vice-chancellor Phakeng faces scrutiny over photo of her posing with rifle posted on Twitter". News24. Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  30. ^ Dlamini, Penwell (25 May 2022). "UCT vice-chancellor retracts 'insensitive' comment about student's sexual assault complaint". SowetanLIVE. Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  31. ^ "UCT vice-chancellor praises student for work signed off with 'one settler' one bullet'". TimesLIVE. Archived from the original on 4 October 2022. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  32. ^ May, Athina. "Anger after UCT activist ends dissertation with 'one settler, one bullet'". www.iol.co.za. Archived from the original on 4 October 2022. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  33. ^ "'One settler, one bullet' slogan is divisive - UCT vice-chancellor". News24. Archived from the original on 4 October 2022. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  34. ^ "'I regret that': UCT vice-chancellor on 'one settler, one bullet'". TimesLIVE. Archived from the original on 4 October 2022. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  35. ^ "One settler, one bullet: Why Masixole Mlandu won't be disciplined - Mamokgethi Phakeng - DOCUMENTS | Politicsweb". www.politicsweb.co.za. Archived from the original on 4 October 2022. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  36. ^ a b c d e f Davis, Rebecca (2 October 2022). "INVESTIGATION : Dark days: Accusations of capture and governance instability rock UCT". Daily Maverick. Archived from the original on 3 October 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  37. ^ a b Davis, Rebecca (7 October 2022). "DARK DAYS: UCT council publicly splits over governance allegations as VC and chair fail to recuse themselves from vote". Daily Maverick. Archived from the original on 7 October 2022. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  38. ^ a b Wire, News24 (22 July 2020). "UCT affirms support for vice-chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng". The Citizen. Archived from the original on 3 October 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  39. ^ a b Williams, Murray. "Fear and loathing at UCT as university Ombud calls VC Mamokgethi Phakeng a 'bully'". News24. Archived from the original on 3 October 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  40. ^ a b c Huisman, Biénne (14 July 2020). "LEADERSHIP CRISIS?: Clouds continue to gather over UCT vice-chancellor". Daily Maverick. Archived from the original on 3 October 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  41. ^ Williams, Murray. "UCT Ombud accuses varsity of covering up 'bullying' by vice-chancellor Phakeng". News24. Archived from the original on 3 October 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  42. ^ Elijah, Moholola (7 October 2022). "UCT's response to incorrect, misleading and unethical claims around governance at the institution" (PDF). University of Cape Town. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 October 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  43. ^ Moholola, Elijah (7 October 2022). "RIGHT OF REPLY: Report on alleged 'capture' at UCT is mischievous, unethical and misleading". Daily Maverick. Archived from the original on 10 October 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  44. ^ "Independent investigation panel". UCT News. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  45. ^ a b c d Independent Investigation into UCT Governance Executive Summary (PDF) (Report). University of Cape Town Council. 9 October 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2023.

External links[edit]

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Academic offices
Preceded by Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town
2018 – 2023 		Succeeded by
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