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 who teaches about mathematics education. In 2018, she became the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town (UCT). Before that, she worked at the University of South Africa (UNISA) as the vice principal for research and innovation. She also served as the acting executive dean for the College of Science, Engineering and Technology at UNISA. Professor Phakeng was an invited speaker at a big international meeting for mathematicians in 2018. She left her role as Vice-Chancellor of UCT in February 2023 and retired early. Professor Daya Reddy took over her position on 13 March 2023.

Early Life and School

Mamokgethi Phakeng was born in Eastwood, Pretoria, South Africa. Her parents were Frank and Wendy Mmutlana. Her mother went back to school after having her three children. She wanted to get a teaching certificate. Her father was one of the first black radio announcers for the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).

Phakeng started primary school in 1972. She attended Ikageleng Primary and then Ikageng Primary. She continued her studies at Tsela-tshweu higher primary, Tswelelang Higher Primary, Thuto-Thebe Middle School, Odi High School, and Hebron. She finished high school in 1983. This allowed her to go to university.

University Studies

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

In September 2022, Professor Phakeng received a special award. She won the first Africa Education Medal. This award recognized her dedication to improving education in Africa. It especially highlighted her research on how language affects learning mathematics in classrooms where many languages are spoken.

Awards and Achievements

Professor Phakeng has received many awards. These awards celebrate her excellent work and service.

• She received an honorary Doctor of Science degree from the University of Bristol.
• In April 2016, she was given the Order of the Baobab (Silver). This award was for her great work in science. It also recognized her for representing South Africa internationally. Former president Jacob Zuma presented her with this honor.
• She also received the Order of Ikhamanga in gold.
• In August 2013, CEO Magazine named her the most influential woman. This was in the education and training field in South Africa.
• She won an NSTF award in May 2011. This was for being an outstanding Senior Black Female Researcher. The award recognized her new and high-quality research. Her work focused on teaching and learning mathematics in classrooms with many languages.
• She became an honorary life member of the Golden Key International Society in May 2009.
• The Association of Mathematics Education of South Africa (AMESA) also made her an honorary life member in July 2009.
• She was a finalist for the Amstel Salute to Success in 2005.
• In May 2004, she received the Dr. T. W. Khambule Research Award. This award was for being the most outstanding young black female researcher in 2003.
• She received an Outstanding Service Award in the Education category in 2004.
• She was a finalist for SA Woman of the Year in Science and Technology in 2003.
• In June 2003, she received the Prestige National Award. This was South Africa's Inspirational Women Achievers Award.
• She received the NRF Thuthuka Award from 2003 to 2008.
• She was awarded a National Research Foundation/National Science Foundation USA/SA fellowship in 2001 and 2003.
• She received the Mellon Award from 1998 to 2000.
• In 1997, she received the SAB Women in Rural Areas Award.

Important Roles Held

Professor Phakeng has held many important positions:

• She was the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town from 2018 to 2023.
• She served as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town in 2016.
• She was the Vice-Principal of Research and Innovation at the University of South Africa.
• She was the Executive Dean of the College of Science Engineering and Technology at the University of South Africa.
• She is an Honorary Professor at the University of the Witwatersrand.
• She is a Professor extraordinaire at Tshwane University of Technology.
• She served as the Deputy Chairperson of the National Committee for the International Mathematics Union.
• She was a Trustee of the FirstRand Foundation.
• She was a Trustee of the Telkom SA Foundation.
• She was a Board Member of the South African branch of the International Council for Science (ICSU) Board.
• She was the Managing Director of Pythagoras.
• She was a Bristol Illustrious Visiting Professor.

Personal Life

Mamokgethi Phakeng was married to Richard Setati for 19 years, from 1988 to 2007. They have one son, Tsholofelo, who was born in 1990. In 2012, she married Madimetja Lucky Phakeng. This is how she added "Phakeng" to her surname. Lucky Phakeng is a lawyer who leads the Takeover Regulation Panel.

Changes at UCT

An independent group looked into how the University of Cape Town (UCT) was being managed. This group was led by a retired judge, Lex Mpati. The investigation started because of some changes in leadership at the university. There were concerns about how decisions were made and why some senior staff members left their jobs.

The investigation looked at how the university was run from January 2018 to December 2022. It aimed to understand what happened and suggest ways to prevent similar issues in the future. The panel found that some actions by Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng and the Chair of Council, Ms Babalwa Ngonyama, were connected to several senior UCT officials leaving their positions. Following this review, Professor Phakeng left her role as Vice-Chancellor.