Inside UCT's governance crisis
The University of Cape Town (UCT), one of South Africa’s top universities, has faced months of instability in the wake of allegations of malfeasance and governance issues as reported by Daily Maverick in October 2022.
The University of Cape Town (UCT), one of South Africa’s top universities, has faced months of instability in the wake of allegations of malfeasance and governance issues as reported by Daily Maverick in October 2022.
SA Villain of the Year runners-up: Mamokgethi Phakeng, Mashatile’s blue-light brigade and Zunaid Moti
From academics who threaten people and businessmen who intimidate journalists to violent goons acting on behalf of politicians, SA has a wondrous variety of rogues.
Mamokgethi Phakeng was among ‘unsuitable’ candidates for the University of Limpopo VC post
The University of Limpopo is in search of a potential vice-chancellor despite Mamokgethi Phakeng, along with another former vice-chancellor and deputy vice-chancellors, having applied. The university says the recruitment process is ongoing.
The truth about Mamokgethi Phakeng’s qualifications — a response to ‘Anonymous’
There can be no question that UCT’s recruitment and selection policy and process was followed and determined that Mamokgethi Phakeng was the best candidate for the role. And yet ‘Anonymous’ alleges that ‘known concerns about the former Vice Chancellor’s (VC) leadership were not taken seriously’.
Sipho Pityana’s criticism of the UCT investigative panel’s report on former VC is ‘misleading, baseless and insincere’
The former chair of the UCT Council Sipho Pityana’s criticism of the findings of the investigative panel into the tenure of former VC Mamokgethi Phakeng are misleading in several respects.
Degrees of disorder — top varsities UCT and UWC in turmoil over vice-chancellors
The troubles have sparked a debate over whether councils or their statutes rule the roost.
Former UCT Council chair Babalwa Ngonyama resigns from another board after independent panel report
In the aftermath of the scathing report by the independent panel investigating governance failures at the University of Cape Town, the university’s former Council chair, Babalwa Ngonyama, has resigned from yet another company board.
Former UCT Council chair Babalwa Ngonyama resigns from Hollard board after independent panel report
Former University of Cape Town Council chair, Babalwa Ngonyama, who was implicated in the independent panel report into the governance crisis at the university – along with former vice-chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng – has quit her position at insurance group Hollard.
Parliament weighs in on UCT’s big Phakeng-Ngonyama failed leadership mess
Some committee members said Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande should consider appointing an independent assessor to look into the Mpati Report on governance at UCT after the SRC, two unions and some of the MPs raised concerns about its independence and recommendations.
University Governance 101 — takeaway lessons from UCT’s big Phakeng mess
The independent report into the governance crisis at the University of Cape Town, released this week, has pulled no punches in assigning blame to individuals — but it is the institution as a whole that has suffered. What can South Africa learn from UCT’s experience?
Independent report spits fire at UCT’s recent leadership, blasting Mamokgethi Phakeng
The report released this week by an independent panel investigating governance failures at UCT in recent years excoriates former vice-chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng. It paints a picture of a narcissistic and thin-skinned leader who exploited and encouraged racial divisions – talking up a narrative of racial empowerment in public while saving some of her worst abuse for black women in private.
UCT Council receives report from panel probing governance concerns
The UCT Council has received the report from an independent panel investigating governance at the institution. The report, which will assist ‘Council to strengthen the governance of the university’, will remain confidential until its contents and recommendations have been fully considered.
Behind UCT Council chair Babalwa Ngonyama’s resignation
UCT Council Chair Babalwa Ngonyama announced in an email on Monday that she is resigning from her role, citing her concerns about a panel tasked by the council with investigating governance issues at the university. The panel’s conclusion was that Ngonyama had to leave as soon as possible.
UCT chair Babalwa Ngonyama resigns following governance panel’s recommendations
Report makes several findings against Ngonyama, particularly in relation to her treatment of former deputy vice-chancellor Lis Lange.
Fact-Checked: UCT Vice-Chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng’s misleading interview with JJ Tabane
Outgoing University of Cape Town vice-chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng used some of her final hours in her position to sit down for an extraordinary interview on JJ Tabane’s ‘Power to Truth’ show on eNCA on Wednesday evening. Here we fact-check Phakeng’s claims – including that Daily Maverick is guilty of ‘very unethical’ conduct.
Inside Vice-Chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng’s messy exit from UCT
At the eleventh hour, University of Cape Town Vice-Chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng jumped before she was pushed — avoiding suspension by the UCT Council by coming to an agreement on a lucrative early retirement package.
UCT to suspend Vice-Chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng
The Council of the University of Cape Town has opted to suspend vice-chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng, amid an ongoing investigation into UCT governance and additional complaints against Phakeng.
UCT investigation into vice-chancellor and Council chair finally gets under way
Almost four months after the Council of the University of Cape Town resolved to investigate governance concerns at UCT, a probe has finally begun. The four-member panel is chaired by retired judge Lex Mpati.
UCT averts one strike, but threat of a second still alive after pay talks stall
The UCT Academics’ Union has withdrawn its planned strike after coming to an agreement with the university about a proposed salary increase. The UCT Employees Union, however, is still threatening to strike as negotiations deadlocked.
UCT Online High School — fears over opaque restructuring plans and lack of academic support
UCT Online High School opened its virtual doors in January 2022, promising to be a game-changer for basic education in South Africa and capitalising on our desire to make education more inclusive. Today, the bubble of praise and excitement has somewhat deflated, with parents and teachers raising alarm about the myriad problems experienced at the school in its first year of operation. The fundamental problem, they say, is that the school has failed to deliver on many of its selling points, resisting any internal and external scrutiny of how its students are faring, and offering a product which has negatively affected students.
UCT Online High School — ‘shocking marking’ after grading outsourced
UCT Online High School opened its virtual doors in January 2022, promising to be a game-changer for basic education in South Africa and capitalising on our desire to make education more inclusive. Today, the bubble of praise and excitement has somewhat deflated, with parents and teachers raising alarm about the myriad problems experienced at the school in its first year of operation. The fundamental problem, they say, is that the school has failed to deliver on many of its selling points, resisting any internal and external scrutiny of how its students are faring, and offering a product which has negatively affected students.
UCT Online High School is a ‘sinking ship’, say insiders and parents
UCT Online High School opened its virtual doors in January 2022, promising to be a game-changer for basic education in South Africa and capitalising on our desire to make education more inclusive. Today, the bubble of praise and excitement has somewhat deflated, with parents and teachers raising alarm about the myriad problems experienced at the school in its first year of operation. The fundamental problem, they say, is that the school has failed to deliver on many of its selling points, resisting any internal and external scrutiny of how its students are faring, and offering a product which has negatively affected students.
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