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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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-10-11 |title=UCT, Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng and accusations of fake qualifications |url=https://mg.co.za/article/2017-10-11-uct-professor-mamokgethi-phakeng-and-accusations-of-fake-qualifications/ |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=The Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-10-11 |title=UCT, Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng and accusations of fake qualifications |url=https://mg.co.za/article/2017-10-11-uct-professor-mamokgethi-phakeng-and-accusations-of-fake-qualifications/ |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=The Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA}}</ref>


On 22 February 2023 it was reported by [[News24 (website)|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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chironda |first=Melody |date=2023-02-22 |title=South Africa: UCT Vice Chancellor to Leave With Golden Handshake - South African News Briefs - February 22, 2023 |language=en |work=allAfrica.com |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/202302220038.html |access-date=2023-02-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Charles |first=Adriaan Basson and Marvin |title=EXCLUSIVE {{!}} Embattled vice-chancellor Phakeng leaves UCT with R12m golden handshake |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/exclusive-embattled-vice-chancellor-phakeng-leaves-uct-with-r12m-golden-handshake-20230222 |access-date=2023-02-22 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}</ref>
Mamokgethi Phakeng has been bullied by Jeremy Seekings a University of Cape Town senior lecturer who took every chance he got to drag her name to different newspaper sources. Their beef emerged after Mamokgethi Phakeng called out Seeking's wife Nattrass (a University of Cape Town professor) over racist and unethical research <ref>{{cite news |last1=seale |title=OPINION | Nattrass study was racist - whether black people are offended or not}}</ref> . It was after that incident that Phakeng's life at the University of Cape Town had never been the same. She suffered unimaginable trauma from the stress induced by bullies such as Seekings, at one point she was admitted to a private hospital <ref>{{cite news |title=UCT Vice-Chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng admitted to hospital}}</ref>. Media houses such as News24 and the daily mavericks were captured and weaponized to attack Mamokgethi Phakeng, lies were peddled, for example at one point Phakeng went on a game drive at her brother's farm outside of South Africa where she took a picture holding a rifle and posted on her Twitter page with the caption "somewhere in Africa" https://twitter.com/FabAcademic/status/1610234787897171969?s=20, to which News24 twisted the caption to suit their narrative by writing that she had said this is for my haters. Disparaging comments about Phakeng were made every year since she joined the institution, in 2020 she was accused of bullying which she was absolved of by an independent panel https://www.iol.co.za/sundayindependent/news/ucts-vc-phakeng-cleared-on-bullying-allegations-920b8e57-3023-4ba9-b8b7-ae3b10688133.

=== Twitter ===
During her time at UCT a number of controversial social media statements have been made via Phakeng's [[Twitter]] account.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Charles |first=Marvin |title=Phakeng says UCT instructed her to hire social media manager amid storm over tweets |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/filler/phakeng-says-uct-instructed-her-to-hire-social-media-manager-amid-storm-over-tweets-20221019 |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Charles |first=Marvin |title=UCT vice-chancellor Phakeng faces scrutiny over photo of her posing with rifle posted on Twitter |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/uct-vice-chancellor-phakeng-faces-scrutiny-over-photo-of-her-posing-with-rifle-posted-on-twitter-20230124 |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dlamini |first=Penwell |date=25 May 2022 |title=UCT vice-chancellor retracts ‘insensitive’ comment about student’s sexual assault complaint |url=https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/south-africa/2022-05-25-uct-vice-chancellor-retracts-insensitive-comment-about-students-sexual-assault-complaint/ |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=SowetanLIVE |language=en-ZA}}</ref>

In 2018 Phakeng controversially congratulated a UCT student on social media who notably ended their undergraduate paper with the racially divisive slogan "[[One Settler, One Bullet]]."<ref>{{Cite web |title=UCT vice-chancellor praises student for work signed off with ‘one settler‚ one bullet’ |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2018-11-07-uct-vice-chancellor-praises-student-for-work-signed-off-with-one-settler-one-bullet/ |access-date=2022-10-04 |website=TimesLIVE |language=en-ZA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=May |first=Athina |title=Anger after UCT activist ends dissertation with ‘one settler, one bullet’ |url=https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/western-cape/anger-after-uct-activist-ends-dissertation-with-one-settler-one-bullet-17831097 |access-date=2022-10-04 |website=www.iol.co.za |language=en}}</ref> Phakeng later stated she regretted the divisive incident, did not see the statement before making the congratulatory statement,<ref>{{Cite web |title='One settler, one bullet' slogan is divisive - UCT vice-chancellor |url=https://www.news24.com/News24/one-settler-one-bullet-slogan-is-divisive-uct-vice-chancellor-20181120 |access-date=2022-10-04 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}</ref> would never support calls for violence, and was instead trying to congratulate a student on a significant personal academic milestone.<ref>{{Cite web |title='I regret that': UCT vice-chancellor on 'one settler, one bullet' |url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2018-11-20-i-regret-that-uct-vice-chancellor-on-one-settler-one-bullet/ |access-date=2022-10-04 |website=TimesLIVE |language=en-ZA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=One settler, one bullet: Why Masixole Mlandu won`t be disciplined - Mamokgethi Phakeng - DOCUMENTS {{!}} Politicsweb |url=https://www.politicsweb.co.za/documents/one-settler-one-bullet-why-masixole-mlandu-wont-be |access-date=2022-10-04 |website=www.politicsweb.co.za |language=en}}</ref>

=== Managerial style ===
Phakeng's tenure as vice-chancellor of UCT has been controversial with accusations by university academics<ref name="Davis-2022">{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Rebecca |date=2022-10-02 |title=INVESTIGATION : Dark days: Accusations of capture and governance instability rock UCT |url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-10-03-dark-days-accusations-of-capture-and-governance-instability-rock-uct/ |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=Daily Maverick |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Davis-2022-2">{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Rebecca |last2= |first2= |date=2022-10-07 |title=DARK DAYS: UCT council publicly splits over governance allegations as VC and chair fail to recuse themselves from vote |url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-10-07-uct-council-publicly-splits-over-governance-allegations-as-vc-and-chair-fail-to-recuse-themselves-from-vote/ |access-date=2022-10-07 |website=Daily Maverick |language=en}}</ref> and the university's [[Ombudsman|ombud]]<ref name="Wire-2020">{{Cite web |last=Wire |first=News24 |date=2020-07-22 |title=UCT affirms support for vice-chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng |url=https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/education/uct-affirms-support-for-vice-chancellor-mamokgethi-phakeng/ |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=The Citizen |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Williams">{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Murray |title=Fear and loathing at UCT as university Ombud calls VC Mamokgethi Phakeng a 'bully' |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/SouthAfrica/News/fear-and-loathing-at-uct-as-university-ombud-calls-vc-mamokgethi-phakeng-a-bully-20200709 |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}</ref> that she allowed for the emergence of a [[culture of fear]],<ref name="Davis-2022" /><ref name="Wire-2020" /> secrecy, [[Racialization|racialisation]], unfair treatment and bullying within the university that has resulted in the departure of numerous academics.<ref name="Davis-2022" /><ref name="Williams" /><ref name="Huisman-2020">{{Cite web |last=Huisman |first=Biénne |date=2020-07-14 |title=LEADERSHIP CRISIS?: Clouds continue to gather over UCT vice-chancellor |url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-07-15-clouds-continue-to-gather-over-uct-vice-chancellor/ |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=Daily Maverick |language=en}}</ref> The ombud<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Murray |title=UCT Ombud accuses varsity of covering up 'bullying' by vice-chancellor Phakeng |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/uct-accused-of-cover-up-of-alleged-bullying-by-vice-chancellor-phakeng-by-its-own-ombud-20200918 |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}</ref> and the university's former deputy council chair<ref name="Huisman-2020" /> have accused Phakeng of covering up accusations and findings against her whilst the university's former deputy vice-chancellor for teaching and learning has accused her of having deliberately misled university's Senate.<ref name="Davis-2022" /> 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.<ref name="Davis-2022-2" /> Phakeng's supporters, including the [[Economic Freedom Fighters]],<ref name="Davis-2022" /> allege that she has been targeted by groups resistant to racial transformation of the university.<ref name="Davis-2022" /><ref name="Huisman-2020" /> UCT stated that the accusations against Phakeng contained within a 2022 [[Daily Maverick]] article on the matter were "incorrect, misleading and unethical";<ref>{{Cite web |last=Elijah |first=Moholola |date=7 October 2022 |title=UCT’s response to incorrect, misleading and unethical claims around governance at the institution |url=https://www.news.uct.ac.za/images/userfiles/downloads/media/2022_10_07_Governance.pdf |access-date=10 October 2022 |website=University of Cape Town}}</ref> the Daily Maverick disputed UCT's criticisms of their article.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moholola |first=Elijah |date=2022-10-07 |title=RIGHT OF REPLY: Report on alleged ‘capture’ at UCT is mischievous, unethical and misleading |url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-10-07-report-on-alleged-capture-at-uct-is-mischievous-unethical-and-misleading/ |access-date=2022-10-09 |website=Daily Maverick |language=en}}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 14:48, 14 March 2023

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 58)
Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria, South Africa
Children1
Alma materUniversity of North-West
University of the Witwatersrand
AwardsAfrica Education Medal (2022)[3]

Rosina Mamokgethi Phakeng GCOB (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 succeedded by Professor Daya Reddy on 13th of March 2023[10]

Early life

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

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

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)
  • 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).[14]

Positions held

Personal life

Phakeng was married to Richard Setati for 19 years (1988–2007) and they had one son,[23] 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

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.[24]

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.[25][26]

Twitter

During her time at UCT a number of controversial social media statements have been made via Phakeng's Twitter account.[27][28][29]

In 2018 Phakeng controversially congratulated a UCT student on social media who notably ended their undergraduate paper with the racially divisive slogan "One Settler, One Bullet."[30][31] Phakeng later stated she regretted the divisive incident, did not see the statement before making the congratulatory statement,[32] would never support calls for violence, and was instead trying to congratulate a student on a significant personal academic milestone.[33][34]

Managerial style

Phakeng's tenure as vice-chancellor of UCT has been controversial with accusations by university academics[35][36] and the university's ombud[37][38] that she allowed for the emergence of a culture of fear,[35][37] secrecy, racialisation, unfair treatment and bullying within the university that has resulted in the departure of numerous academics.[35][38][39] The ombud[40] and the university's former deputy council chair[39] have accused Phakeng of covering up accusations and findings against her whilst the university's former deputy vice-chancellor for teaching and learning has accused her of having deliberately misled university's Senate.[35] 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.[36] Phakeng's supporters, including the Economic Freedom Fighters,[35] allege that she has been targeted by groups resistant to racial transformation of the university.[35][39] UCT stated that the accusations against Phakeng contained within a 2022 Daily Maverick article on the matter were "incorrect, misleading and unethical";[41] the Daily Maverick disputed UCT's criticisms of their article.[42]

References

  1. ^ University of Cape Town. "Vice-Chancellor". Retrieved 19 February 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ^ University of Cape Town. "Acting Vice-Chancellor arrangements". Retrieved 4 March 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ "Africa Education Medal | T4 Education". t4.education. 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. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
  7. ^ Pityana, Sipho (17 March 2018). "Appointment of New Vice-Chancellor" (Press release). Cape Town: University of Cape Town. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  8. ^ "Unisa Online - Executive management". University of South Africa. 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. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  10. ^ "Appointment of the interim Vice-Chancellor". www.news.uct.ac.za. 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. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
  13. ^ Zuma, Mbalenhle (6 September 2022). "Minister Nzimande sings praises of professor Mamokgethi Phakeng". Sunday World. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
  14. ^ "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)
  15. ^ "Prof Mamokgethi Setati – Executive Dean: College of Science, Engineering and Technology". Unisa Online. Retrieved 6 June 2010.
  16. ^ "Ass.Prof Mamokgethi Setati". University of the Witwatersrand. Wits Marketing. Archived from the original on 25 December 2012. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
  17. ^ "Prof Mamokgethi Setati". International Commission on Mathematics Instruction. Archived from the original on 11 March 2012. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
  18. ^ "200 Young South Africans You Must Take to Lunch: Education & Science". Mail & Guardian. 14 June 2007. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
  19. ^ "Profile of Trustees". FirstRand Foundation. Archived from the original on 21 April 2013. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
  20. ^ "200 Young South Africans You Must Take to Lunch: Science". Mail & Guardian. 26 June 2008. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
  21. ^ Karolia, Sameerah (19 August 2010). "The problem solver". Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
  22. ^ Bristol, University of. "2021: Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng BIVP announcement | International Research Partnerships | University of Bristol". www.bristol.ac.uk. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  23. ^ "Setati, Mamokgethi". The Little Black Book. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
  24. ^ "UCT, Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng and accusations of fake qualifications". The Mail & Guardian. 11 October 2017. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  25. ^ Chironda, Melody (22 February 2023). "South Africa: UCT Vice Chancellor to Leave With Golden Handshake - South African News Briefs - February 22, 2023". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  26. ^ Charles, Adriaan Basson and Marvin. "EXCLUSIVE | Embattled vice-chancellor Phakeng leaves UCT with R12m golden handshake". News24. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  27. ^ Charles, Marvin. "Phakeng says UCT instructed her to hire social media manager amid storm over tweets". News24. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  28. ^ Charles, Marvin. "UCT vice-chancellor Phakeng faces scrutiny over photo of her posing with rifle posted on Twitter". News24. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  29. ^ Dlamini, Penwell (25 May 2022). "UCT vice-chancellor retracts 'insensitive' comment about student's sexual assault complaint". SowetanLIVE. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  30. ^ "UCT vice-chancellor praises student for work signed off with 'one settler‚ one bullet'". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  31. ^ May, Athina. "Anger after UCT activist ends dissertation with 'one settler, one bullet'". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  32. ^ "'One settler, one bullet' slogan is divisive - UCT vice-chancellor". News24. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  33. ^ "'I regret that': UCT vice-chancellor on 'one settler, one bullet'". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  34. ^ "One settler, one bullet: Why Masixole Mlandu won`t be disciplined - Mamokgethi Phakeng - DOCUMENTS | Politicsweb". www.politicsweb.co.za. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  35. ^ a b c d e f Davis, Rebecca (2 October 2022). "INVESTIGATION : Dark days: Accusations of capture and governance instability rock UCT". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  36. ^ 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. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  37. ^ a b Wire, News24 (22 July 2020). "UCT affirms support for vice-chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng". The Citizen. Retrieved 3 October 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  38. ^ a b Williams, Murray. "Fear and loathing at UCT as university Ombud calls VC Mamokgethi Phakeng a 'bully'". News24. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  39. ^ a b c Huisman, Biénne (14 July 2020). "LEADERSHIP CRISIS?: Clouds continue to gather over UCT vice-chancellor". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  40. ^ Williams, Murray. "UCT Ombud accuses varsity of covering up 'bullying' by vice-chancellor Phakeng". News24. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  41. ^ Elijah, Moholola (7 October 2022). "UCT's response to incorrect, misleading and unethical claims around governance at the institution" (PDF). University of Cape Town. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  42. ^ Moholola, Elijah (7 October 2022). "RIGHT OF REPLY: Report on alleged 'capture' at UCT is mischievous, unethical and misleading". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
Academic offices
Preceded by Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town
July 2018 – present 		Incumbent
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mamokgethi_Phakeng&oldid=1144591861"