Professor Phakeng wins Africa Education Medal
- Wits Alumni Relations
Wits alumna and former president of Wits Convocation honoured for strides made in education.
Wits alumna and current University of Cape Town Vice-Chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng (BEd 1993, MEd 1996, PhD 2002) has been named the winner of the inaugural Africa Education Medal.
The medal, which honours the work of changemakers who are transforming African education, was launched this year by T4 Education and HP in collaboration with Intel and Microsoft. Professor Phakeng was chosen from among 10 finalists from across the continent, including the former president of Tanzania, Jakaya Kikwete.
T4 Education said in a statement that “by celebrating the stories of those working every day to expand upon these vital gains” it aims to inspire others to follow in their footsteps and bring lasting change in African education.
In a 2015 interview with WITSReview Professor Phakeng was described “as a tornado of academia, high fashion and social media.” She is among the world’s leading scholars in mathematics education, having become the first black female South African to achieve a PhD in mathematics education in 2002. Her research focuses on language practices in multilingual mathematics classrooms and has proved influential in post-colonial Africa and post-apartheid South Africa.
Her research and community work have won her many prestigious awards, not least the Order of the Baobab (Silver) in 2016. She was named the most influential woman academic in Africa by CEO magazine in 2014, and in 2020 she was included in Forbes’ inaugural list of the 50 Most Powerful Women in Africa. In 2021 she was appointed the first Illustrious Visiting Professor at the University of Bristol and earlier this year she became the first African to be elected chair of the International Alliance of Research Universities.
“It is the greatest honour to be recognised for my life’s passion. Quality education is the key to Africa’s future, and I’m so grateful to HP, Intel and Microsoft for this award that I hope will inspire others across our continent to further the cause of African education,” said Phakeng in a UCT statement.
The vice-president and managing director at HP Africa, Brad Pulford, said: “Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng’s drive and leadership in transforming education across Africa and beyond stand as a shining example to others all over the continent.
“We at HP can only echo her passion for empowering learners. From a business community perspective, we have a bold goal to enable better learning outcomes for 100 million people by 2025. Only by joining forces [with] NGOs, government, educators and businesses we can make bold moves towards improving the education environment. A quality education empowers not just individuals, but entire communities. It will skill the next generation to fulfil their full potential in a world being transformed by technology.”
The news was received with messages of congratulations from many, including Wits alumnus and CEO of the Discovery Group Adrian Gore (BSc 1985, BSc Hons, 1987, DCom honoris causa 2017), who said: “Professor Phakeng is a remarkable individual and incredibly deserving of this recognition, as she exemplifies the principles underpinning the Africa Education Medal: she is an inspirational advocate for quality education on the continent, she has led some of our top tertiary institutions with passion and skill, and she remains committed to uplifting our country’s young people through both her personal and professional efforts.”
Media mogal Oprah Winfrey also posted a congratulatory video and said: “I honour the vital work that you do in education. I celebrate you as a forward thinking, visionary leader for such a time as this. Congratulations.”