Q&A Sessions: ‘The work I do at UCT is not about me’ — Mamokgethi Phakeng

Recently you were the only African among the Times Higher Education’s 10 people of the year. Where was this passion for education born?

For me, mathematics was a way out and a hiding place, because I wasn’t good at many other things. It was something I could make sense of. As long as I got the big idea, I could figure out a way to solve the problem. As an educator, I think one of the things that makes young people fear mathematics is because we tell them that it’s complicated: we instil that fear. Yes, learning is hard — nothing is easy — but the idea is that you must like a subject enough, make time to study it and be successful. 

Your mother, Wendy, was a teacher and your father, Frank Mmutlana, was one of the first black radio announcers. What influence did your parents have on you? 

My dad was a radio announcer and later also a music compiler. He also acted in radio dramas — and people loved him. He was the visionary of the family, although he never finished matric. My dad made sure that all four of his children received a formal education. My brother obtained two master’s degrees; my sister did her MBA through the University of Cape Town (UCT), and my youngest brother is a civil engineer. Two of my siblings had to repeat matric because they didn’t obtain university entrance. 

One day I asked him what if I wanted to become a tea girl and he said: “Well, then you’re going to learn all about that at university. You will be the best tea girl in the world.” [Phakeng laughs]. My dad was funny, smart and a problem solver.

At the time of your appointment in 2018, you were quoted as saying that you regard transformation, excellence and sustainability as the three pillars of your vision. How would you describe the transformation journey at UCT?

I believe you drive excellence together with transformation to ensure sustainability. Transformation is multifaceted. One thing that we’ve managed to achieve since I came into office in 2018 is that, for the first time at UCT, we have a transformed group of deans at the university. Our deans are younger, and it’s important to mention that the majority of them were appointed from inside the university. That is a vote of confidence in black academics at the institution. 

However, we still need to work harder to transform our institutional culture. It’s one thing to make the university accessible to previously disadvantaged students, but how are they treated once they are in this space? Institutional culture is not only about relationships, but also power and privilege. For example: Who gets away with using a four-letter swear word in a meeting and who doesn’t? We have a long way to go. 

Let’s talk about the controversy concerning the 2019 report by UCT ombud Zetu Makamandela-Mguqulwa. The report refers to several complaints against you from academics, who felt bullied, silenced, undermined and mistreated.

It’s the role of the council to deal with this matter. I’m a professional with huge respect for the ombud office, and I know the lines of responsibility of the council, the ombud and the vice-chancellor. 

People tend to forget that I took over a university in crisis. Firstly we experienced shutdowns, and secondly, there were only two deans who were substantially appointed; the rest had resigned. Meanwhile, a deputy vice-chancellor’s appointment ended up in court because the selected white candidate did not get the necessary vote at the senate. 

More than two years later, all of that is a distant memory. The students don’t always agree with me, but I’m not scared to engage them. This is the key to the stability we’ve experienced at UCT during the past two-and-a-half years. 

So, in other words, here you have a decisive leader who knows that leadership is not a popularity contest, who works in the interest of the institution and who knows that you have a good strategy if it makes some people unhappy. In my view, we need more leaders like that in this country and the world. 

The work I do at UCT is not about me, because this institution is far too important for the country, the continent and the world. UCT must outlive us: it’s not about individuals.

UCT had its share of disruptions because of the Fees Must Fall protests over the past few years. How would you describe the current climate at the university?

I make a conscious effort to ensure that new students feel welcome at UCT, irrespective of their race, age or gender. I also ensure that I’m present during orientation, when I meet with parents so that they know our stance, should things go wrong, academically or otherwise. 

I eat with students in the dining hall because I’m interested in the quality of food they are served. Some people at the university might feel uncomfortable about that, but I see it as an opportunity to engage and learn more about students’ needs and demands. I also stop at a different student residence every Sunday on my way back from the gym. It’s a very instructive process, which helps me to lead better and be more proactive. 

As a mother, would you regard yourself as a role model for your children and other young South Africans?

You don’t choose to be a role model, but I’m very aware that young people are looking at me for guidance. That makes me conscious of what I’m saying out there and the decisions I make. I’m always aware of those who are watching me and following in my footsteps, who think: “Wow, she stepped there, so we can do it too.” 

I have one biological son and two adopted sons and, although I regard myself as the disciplinarian, I think I can also pass as a cool mom [Phakeng laughs]. I drive a yellow Jeep, and we often go to the sand dunes in Atlantis [Cape Town] where we jump from the roof of my car. My boys agree that no other parent would allow that. Although we have fun times together, I also give tough love. My boys know they have to be focused and know what they want to achieve in life.

What do you dislike most about South Africa?

I don’t like the unnecessary racial polarisation, which assumes that black Africans are at the bottom of the food chain. I also don’t like the gender-based violence we’re experiencing. A man once touched me inappropriately and, as the vice-chancellor, I battled with the question: “Who can I share this information with?” When you’re a highly successful woman, people don’t realise how difficult it is to say anything. I hate how women are positioned in the country. When you’re a strong woman, people are intimidated by you, and you can never just be right without any “buts”. Being black also makes it worse.  

What do you do to relax? 

I love music. Thanks to my dad and his career in the broadcasting industry, we were exposed to music all the time. We still have a lot of vinyl records, because record companies like Gallo shared their music with my dad. We often listened to Jamaican music and artists like Jimmy Cliff and Peter Tosh. Before Lucky Dube became famous, my dad promoted his music. I remember listening to music by John Moriri and the Katanga Boys on a Saturday in our house in Ga-Rankuwa. 

I normally don’t choose a specific genre, because my mood determines what music I listen to. For example, I still have my iPod with more than 5 000 tunes. I’m now learning to dance to amapiano, and although I’m struggling, I will get it right soon [Phakeng laughs]. 

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