She has popped in the news sporadically over her vice cahncellorship of the University of Cape Town (UCT). Now, it has emerged that Mamokgethi Phakeng is finally leaving UCT, but on terms that are favourable to her – a coup of sorts.
The UCT governing council had wanted to suspend her. But somehow, an agreement was reached not to have her suspended -which might cause damaging dents on her career – but to have her retire early as head of the institution – with her entitlements in the bag, of course.
In the interim, she would hold on to her position but would effectively cease to perform her duties on March 3, 2023. Also, according to the termination agreement she reached with the council, she will cease to be an associate professor in the department of education in the institution effective from 28 February 2024.
In terms of benefits, she wouldn’t have much to worry about as, according to the agreement, she would receive an “early retirement lump sum” of R8,369,232 as well as her annual salary of R4,184,616. In all, that amounts to about R12,553,848. She is also entitled to reduced tuition for her dependents at the UCT for life.
Mamokgethi Phakeng had a tumultuous time at UCT. However, what hastened her exit from the institution was the claim by the dean of the law department that she colluded with students to expose the institution to violence
