UCT Vice-Chancellor, Prof Mamokgethi Phakeng and Oprah Winfrey. Images via Twitter/@witsalumni and Chic Magazine.
Oprah Winfrey sings the praises of UCT VC, Mamokgethi Phakeng
Oprah Winfrey has praised and congratulated UCT VC Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng for winning the Africa Education Medal.
UCT Vice-Chancellor, Prof Mamokgethi Phakeng and Oprah Winfrey. Images via Twitter/@witsalumni and Chic Magazine.
US businesswoman Oprah Winfrey has congratulated University of Cape Town (UCT) Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng for winning the inaugural Africa Education Medal.
The Africa Education Medal was launched this year by T4 Education and HP in collaboration with Intel and Microsoft which was founded to recognise the work of changemakers who are transforming African education.
OPRAH WINFREY CONGRATULATES UCT VICE-CHANCELLOR
Professor Phakeng was chosen from among 10 finalists from across the continent, including the former president of Tanzania, Jakaya Kikwete.
In a video shared on social media, Oprah congratulated Professor Phakeng for being recognised for her positive impact in education.
“It is an honour recognising leaders who have a positive impact on education, I don’t know anyone else who deserves it more.
“I’ve witnessed first hand through your support of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy in South Africa how your vision, your passion and commitment has made such a difference in the lives of so many students,” she said.
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Oprah further said she honours the vital work that Phakeng does and celebrates the forward thinking and visionary leader that she is for such a time as this.
“Congratulations and blessings on your life.”
SOME OF PROFESSOR MAMOKGETHI PHAKENG’S STRIDES.
- Professor Phakeng 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.
- In the two decades since, she has published more than 80 research papers and five edited volumes that continue to shape mathematics education in classrooms across Africa and beyond. Her research focuses on language practices in multilingual mathematics classrooms and has proved influential in post-colonial Africa and post-apartheid South Africa in particular.
- 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.
- This year she became the first African to be elected chair of the International Alliance of Research Universities.
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