UCT chair tells MPS ‘all is well at university’
Leadership battle at institution to be probed by panel
Embattled chair of the University of Cape Town (UCT) council Babalwa Ngonyama and the university’s vice-chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng tried to reassure MPS that the academic project at the institution had not been affected by its leadership squabble.
Ngonyama and Phakeng are facing a probe initiated by the council, which will go a long way in determining their future at the institution.
Deputy minister of higher education Buti Manamela said they were awaiting a report they requested from Ngonyama on the situation at the university. He could not commit to a time frame when the ministry would receive the report.
“This is a discussion between the minister (Blade Nzimande) and the council. The last communication was that we were supposed to receive the report last week and I am sure follow ups are being made by the ministry so that this matter is settled.”
Ngonyama assured MPS the report would be handed to Nzimande “very soon”.
“It is unfortunate we find ourselves where we are, but we are resolute making sure that we resolve this matter. We are quite clear in our mind that UCT is very important to our country and continent. And I want to assure you that we are still focusing on our vision 2030. We are building a university for Africa that is going to provide solutions.” Phakeng, who was appointed to a second term a few months ago, said: “We are hard at work; students are busy finishing exams. The academic project has continued as normal and we are committed in ensuring that UCT continues to attain sustainable success,” she said.
The fallout between Phakeng and erstwhile deputy vice-chancellor for teaching and learning, Lis Lange is at the heart of the disharmony at the university.
In May, UCT announced Lange had quit as head of teaching and learning with immediate effect. In a May 2 statement, Phakeng said Lange would not seek the renewal of her contract, which was scheduled to end in January 2023.
However, Lange has disputed the reasons put forward by Phakeng for her resignation, and blamed her and Ngonyama for her exit. Lange dispatched a letter to the university’s senate stating her “real reasons” for her resignation. Former judge president of the Supreme Court of Appeals Lex Mpati has been tipped to chair the panel to probe allegations against Phakeng and Ngonyama.
The no-nonsense former Constitutional Court judge, Sisi Khampepe, who recently concluded her investigation into racism allegations at University of Stellenbosch, has been approached to serve on the panel. Retired Supreme Court judge Azhar Cachalia’s name has also been put forward.