Q&A: ‘No one told me maths was hard'
Channel: Science & Development Network
Date: 10/01/2022

Colourful, sometimes controversial, but never dull. Mamokgethi Phakeng is one of South Africa's best-known university heads and a brilliant mathematician to boot. 

Phakeng, who became the first black female to obtain a doctorate in mathematics education in 2002, started her term of office as vice-chancellor of the University of Cape Town in July 2018.

In October 2021, she was appointed as the first Illustrious Visiting Professor (BIVP) of the University of Bristol in England because of her "exceptional and inspirational" work in maths education. In 2019, Phakeng  was awarded a doctorate of science from the university.

In the role, she will engage with the university’s academic community, participate in a public lecture series, and strengthen educational and research collaborations between the two universities.

Phakeng has a host of awards to her name, including the Order of the Baobab (Silver) from the South African Presidency in 2016 for her contribution to science on the international stage.