University of Cape Town (UCT) Vice-Chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng has been re-appointed for a second five-year term by the university’s Council, expressing confidence in her leadership.

Phakeng was first elected as UCT Vice-Chancellor in July 2018.

“Council is confident that Phakeng is the right leader for UCT at this time and that, through her second term, she will build on the foundations of the last four years. She leads with purpose and with passion. She is resolutely non-partisan in terms of race, gender, ethnicity or political affiliation. She is a future thinker who is committed to the academic project of research and teaching and to ensuring the long-term viability of our university,” said UCT chair of Council Babalwa Ngonyama.

She added that Phakeng’s re-appointment falls in with plans for the university’s future, noting her wider vision for financial sustainability in the face of ever-diminishing public funding.

Ngonyama explained that the university’s policy for re-appointing an incumbent Vice-Chancellor requires extensive consultation and the process included the university’ Students’ Representative Council, staff bodies and organised labour, deans and the executive directors.

She said, when re-appointing Phakeng, views of the university’s trusts in the United Kingdom, Australia and the United States were also taken into account.

The university found a high level of confidence in Phakeng as Vice-Chancellor and in her leadership in difficult and challenging circumstances.

“In Phakeng, we have a leader who understands the need to unleash the full potential of our students as critical thinkers, building people who will take on the problems of the world and leave it a better place. This is illustrated by a reception for this year's recipients of the Vice-Chancellor's awards for new students,” Ngonyama said.