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mamokgethi phakenglatest news & developments
Browned off: R&B star Chris Brown appears in court in Los Angeles in 2014 after assaulting singer Rihanna, with whom he was in a relationship. Photo: Lucy Nicholson-Pool/Getty Images

Chris Brown: Should home affairs have acted?

The US musician, who has a history of violence against women, is set to perform in Johannesburg

Eskom acting chief executive, Calib Cassim said Eskom’s request amounts to R445 billion for 2025-26, R495 billion for 2026-27 and R537 billion for 2027-28, translated to electricity price hikes of 36.1% in 2025, 11.8% in 2026 and 9.1% in 2027.
 File photo by Freddy Mavunda/Gallo Images

Cassim is ‘not interested in Eskom’s top job’

Acting chief executive says he still has work to do in his financial role at the utility

Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, Vice Chancellor, University of Cape Town. Copyright: University of Cape Town.

UCT council offered to drop probe against vice-chancellor if she agreed to early-retirement package

Council said it would withdraw all allegations, including that Phakeng misled the senate and had a role in the resignation of executives

The University of Cape Town (UCT) council has received a new complaint against embattled vice-chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng from suspended executive director for communication and marketing Gerda Kruger.

UCT council receives new claim from Kruger against vice-chancellor Phakeng

Meeting postponed to January as Phakeng faces mounting opposition to her leadership at the divided campus, including accusations of flouting governance processes

insider said the SACP sought to have its chairperson, Blade Nzimande, remain a cabinet minister.

UCT crisis: Black academics and staff want Minister Blade Nzimande to intervene

The university is being torn by a crisis of governance which has seen growing antipathy to vice-chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng’s leadership

Complicated: The inquiry into the university’s vice-chancellor and the university council’s chairperson is tied to reasons the former deputy vice-chancellor of teaching and learning, Lis Lange, left the university.

UCT saga continues as inquiry into vice-chancellor takes shape

The former deputy at the centre of the row was accused of misrepresenting her credentials

The University of Cape Town (UCT) council has received a new complaint against embattled vice-chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng from suspended executive director for communication and marketing Gerda Kruger.

R27m: Cost to remove UCT vice-chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng

She is accused of flouting governance processes, along with council chair Babalwa Ngonyama, particularly regarding the exit of deputy vice-chancellor Lis Lange

(John McCann/M&G)

Despite gender progress, African men are shaping the future of higher education

There are only six women vice-chancellors in SA, and progress in eliminating gender bias is slow

Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng in her matric year.

Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng: From learning under a tree to international recognition

How the UCT vice chancellor used education to transcend circumstance

Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, Vice Chancellor, University of Cape Town. Copyright: University of Cape Town.
Video

Mamokgethi Phakeng Q&A: No one told me maths was ‘hard’

South Africa’s first black female doctor of mathematics , Mamokgethi Phakeng, is now a top British UK university’s first ‘illustrious visiting professor’.

Eusebius McKaiser: Two important lessons to learn about racists

The racially intolerant act to keep black people in “their place”, some even while claiming they’re allies

University of Cape Town vice-chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng says that on taking up her appointment a year ago she realised the challenge was to learn how to build peace. (Esa Alexander/Gallo Images/Sunday Times)

Transformative leadership is about building relationships

Universities across the globe are adapting to a changing world. It’s crucial that leaders set a good example

Talking about a revolution: The fourth industrial revolution is characterised by the confluence of advancements in technologies and is catalysed by artificial intelligence. (Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach)

Young South Africans to lead the revolution

Past industrial revolutions were sparked by innovative youth; the 4IR should be the same

Not just talk: The University of Cape Town is taking steps to address unhealthy campus culture. (David Harrison)

UCT to rename more buildings

UCT has called for proposals for new names for buildings at the institution, to be more reflective of those who have been “honourable” in history

‘We owe Bongani and his family a great deal. His death should inspire a new consciousness about the importance of creating conditions that may foster caring communities within our institutions,’ writes Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela (John McCann/M&G)

Let us create truly caring institutions

The inquiry into Bongani Mayosi’s death must ‘water the tree of transformation’ at UCT

The first 50 bitcoins were born on January 3 2009. (Reuters)

Did UCT kill Bongani Mayosi?

The moment I heard of Mayosi’s death, I wondered if academia in South Africa has become a deathtrap for trailblazing black academics, says the writer

‘The passing of Professor Bongani Mayosi was a tragic incident to the entire university community and South Africa as a whole.’ (The Citizen)

Dear Professor Phakeng, you owe students an apology

Initially Mamokgethi Phakeng’s position as VC offered hope. However, her comments about Professor Bongani Mayosi’s death are worrying

‘We all have something to contribute to UCT’s growth. I want you to know that your concerns about UCT are important to me

It’s a great time to be at UCT and to make real change happen

‘Across South Africa, higher education is seeking ways to be more inclusive, to fund students so that its opportunities are available to everyone’

(Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Meet UCT’s new ‘spicy’ FabAcademic

Self-confessed maverick Mamokgethi Phakeng says this job was not exactly part of her career plan

A fossil tooth contains isotopes that offer clues of aridification.

Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng appointed new UCT vice-chancellor

Phakeng said she was "humbled" by the appointment, which takes effect on July 1, 2018.