Mamokgethi Phakeng is a South African mathematician and university leader who began her term as vice‑chancellor of the University of Cape Town in July 2018. She was the first black female to obtain a doctorate in mathematics education in 2002 and has since received both national and international recognition for her work in maths education.
In 2016 she was awarded the Order of the Baobab (Silver) by the South African Presidency. In 2019 the University of Bristol awarded her a doctorate of science, and in October 2021 that university appointed her as its first Illustrious Visiting Professor (BIVP). In the BIVP role she will engage with the academic community, take part in a public lecture series and help to strengthen research and education links between the two universities.
Phakeng traces her interest in mathematics to a winter school she attended while at school and to geometry taught at a township school in Ga‑Rankua; she says she was "13" when the subject suddenly made sense. Her father was the country’s first black broadcaster and her mother was a school teacher; they expected hard work rather than treating some subjects as superior. She warns that many girls are discouraged by messages such as "girls don’t do maths." Her practical advice is to practise daily, "at least an hour," and to show that mathematics can fit many identities, as when she says, "I put on makeup and do mathematics."
Her career began in the non‑governmental sector, teaching in rural farm schools, before she entered academia. She serves on the boards of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls and the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator. Phakeng also notes the importance of her B1 rating as a scientist to counter assumptions about affirmative action; the National Research Foundation of South Africa defines a B1 researcher as one with considerable international recognition for the quality and impact of recent research outputs. She says presenting data and evidence of leadership and scholarship was essential so there would be no doubt about her capabilities.
Difficult words
- doctorate — an advanced university degree after research study
- recognition — official praise or approval for someone's achievements
- appoint — to choose someone officially for a positionappointed
- engage — to take part actively with other people
- practise — to do an activity regularly to improve skill
- research — systematic study to discover facts or information
- affirmative action — policies that support disadvantaged groups' access
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How can messages like "girls don’t do maths" affect students' choices and confidence? Give examples.
- What benefits might come from stronger research and education links between two universities?
- Why is it important for academics from underrepresented groups to present evidence of their work in public roles?
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