Mamokgethi Phakeng facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mamokgethi Phakeng
Mamokgethi Phakeng
Former Vice-Chancellor of University of Cape Town
In office 1 July 2018 – 3 March 2023
Chancellor	Graça Machel Precious Moloi-Motsepe
Preceded by	Max Price
Succeeded by	Daya Reddy
Personal details
Born	(1966-11-01) 1 November 1966 (age 58) Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria, South Africa
Children	1
Alma mater	University of North-West University of the Witwatersrand
Awards	Africa Education Medal (2022)

Rosina Mamokgethi Phakeng (born 1 November 1966) is a South African professor. She is an expert in mathematics education. In 2018, she became the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town (UCT). Before that, she was a vice principal at the University of South Africa. In February 2023, she announced she would be leaving her role at UCT. Professor Daya Reddy took over her position in March 2023.

Early Life and Schooling

Mamokgethi Phakeng was born in Eastwood, Pretoria. Her parents were Frank and Wendy Mmutlana. Her mother went back to school to become a teacher. Her father was one of the first black radio announcers in South Africa.

Phakeng started school in 1972. She attended several primary and high schools. She finished her high school (matric) in 1983. This allowed her to go to university.

Higher Education and Achievements

Phakeng studied at the University of North-West. There, she earned a Bachelor of Education in mathematics education. She then got a Master's degree in mathematics education from the University of the Witwatersrand. In 2002, she made history. She became the first black South African woman to get a PhD in mathematics education.

In September 2022, Phakeng received the first Africa Education Medal. This award recognised her dedication to improving education in Africa. It especially highlighted her research on how language affects learning maths in classrooms where many languages are spoken.

Awards and Honours

Mamokgethi Phakeng has received many awards for her excellent work. These include:

• Doctor of Science, an honorary degree from the University of Bristol.
• The Order of the Baobab (Silver). This award was given to her by former president Jacob Zuma. It was for her great work in science and for representing South Africa internationally (April 2016).
• Order of Ikhamanga in gold.
• CEO Magazine award for being a very influential woman in education in South Africa (August 2013).
• NSTF award for being an outstanding Senior Black Female Researcher. This was for her new and high-quality research on teaching and learning maths (May 2011).
• Golden Key International Society Honorary life membership (May 2009).
• Association of Mathematics Education of South Africa (AMESA) honorary life membership (July 2009).
• Dr. T. W. Khambule Research Award for being an outstanding young black female researcher (May 2004).
• South Africa's Inspirational Women Achievers Award (June 2003).

Important Roles Held

Throughout her career, Mamokgethi Phakeng has held many important positions:

• Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town (2018–2023).
• Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town (2016).
• Vice-Principal of Research and Innovation at the University of South Africa.
• Executive Dean of the College of Science Engineering and Technology at the University of South Africa.
• Honorary Professor at the University of the Witwatersrand.
• Trustee of the FirstRand Foundation.
• Trustee of the Telkom SA Foundation.
• Board Member of the South African International Council for Science (ICSU) Board.

Personal Life

Mamokgethi Phakeng was married to Richard Setati for 19 years. They had one son named Tsholofelo, born in 1990. In 2012, she married Madimetja Lucky Phakeng.

Changes at UCT

In 2023, Professor Phakeng left her role as Vice-Chancellor of UCT. This happened after an independent group looked into how the university was being managed. There were concerns about leadership and how some decisions were made. As a result, several senior staff members also left their positions at UCT.