Professor Mamogkethi Setati Phakeng, aka @FabAcademic on Instagram is the latest addition to UCT’s executive. AAISHA DADI PATEL rounds up a bit more about the woman who proves that you don’t have to be a man in a grey suit to be an academic.
Outgoing Vice-Principal of Research and Admission at UNISA, Prof Phakeng is a busybody. She has a doctorate degree in Mathematics Education from Wits, and in 2013 was made an honorary professor. She is the current President of Convocation of Wits University in her capacity as an alumna, so she’s present for every graduation ceremony – and is trustee of the FirstRand Foundation. She’s always got a lot to do – all while keeping her lipstick to match and her selfie game on point.
On Thursday she announced via Instagram that on 1 July 2016, she will officially take up her post as the new Deputy Vice Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation at the University of Cape Town.
Prof Phakeng may have a lot of responsibilities – but she swears by sticking it out in the gym to help her keep everything in check, and is a huge fitness junkie.
A photo posted by Kgethi Setati Phakeng (@fabacademic) on
She loves travel, and her line of work takes her to conferences all around the world. She doesn’t let work get in the way of her exploring and experiencing the best of wherever she is though – here she is in Haiti, and in freezing cold Finland.
A photo posted by Kgethi Setati Phakeng (@fabacademic) on
Freezing in Finland. I will be very prepared for our not so cold winter when I get back home ?
A photo posted by Kgethi Setati Phakeng (@fabacademic) on
And while making sure she always looks her best, she also makes sure that she supports local talent – and encourages others to do the same.
She loves to keep it real with young people, and always posts motivational messages alongside selfies with some of them – she was even one of the academics who gave Mcebo Dlamini a big embrace on stage at his graduation last year.
Never underestimate a woman with a Wits degree ? #WitsGraduates #Witsie4Life #SmartWitsies
A photo posted by Kgethi Setati Phakeng (@fabacademic) on
We love when we come across people who shatter stereotypes – and the passionate Prof Phakeng, who seems to exude excellence in all that she does, excites us with her colourful approach to life. To put things into mathematical terms: she is proof that being fabulous and being an academic are not mutually exclusive.