Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng Bags A Major Education Award
Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng Bags A Major Education Award. She is all bubbly and fun loving on social media. But one thing about Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, when it comes to education she gets the work done.
The University of Cape Town vice-chancellor professor has just been recognized for her amazing dedication on education. She has just won the inaugural Africa Education Medal, which recognizes the work of changemakers who transform education on the continent. Phakeng was chosen from 10 other finalists from across the continent including former Tanzanian president, Jakaya Kikwete.
“My journey in education started under a tree – never did I ever think I would end up leading the top university on the African continent; never did I ever think I would, one day, be counted among the top 10 people driving impactful change in education,” Professor Phakeng said.
Phakeng advocates for education because she is testament to the fact that it is an equalizer; “I know it can change young people’s lives because it completely changed mine. I committed to ensuring that more young people become successful as I rise.”
The multi-award winning professor is one of the world’s leading scholars in mathematics education. She holds the record of being the first black female South African to achieve a PhD in mathematics education in 2002. This year, Phakeng became the first African to be elected chair of the International Alliance of Research Universities.
Other major awards that Phakeng has won over the years, include Order of the Baobab (silver) conferred on her by former president Jacob Zuma in April 2016. She was also named the most influential woman academic in Africa by CEO magazine in 2014, and in 2020 was included in Forbes’ inaugural list of the 50 most powerful women in Africa.
