EFF statement on the removal of UCT Vice Chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng

22 February 2023

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) notes with sadness the removal of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Town (UCT), Mamokgethi Phakeng after a long-drawn out agenda against her by forces within the institution who are anti-transformation.

Phakeng, who has been a thorn in the side of the white-supremacist establishment at UCT from when she contested her first term as a Vice Chancellor, is a victim of shrewd manipulation by a regressive University Council. High-ranking officials at the institution have colluded on numerous occasions with media houses which are known for pursuing witch-hunts against African professionals, to destroy the Vice Chancellor.

In the midst of her first contestation for the position, a vicious campaign was launched to question her credentials and qualifications. Phakeng defeated these allegations, and then fell prey to the historical trope of a black woman being temperamental, and suffering from a syndrome of anger and bullying, simply because she was firm in her style of leadership.

There has been no credible evidence to discredit Mamokgethi, except unverified character assassinations and tropes that resemble swaart-gevaar propaganda.

A black woman leading a historically white institution like UCT, was intolerable to the ruling elite who control the levers of power at the University. She was a stain on the white-supremacist record of UCT, and had to be removed to restore the status-quo.

The EFF salutes VC Mamokgethi Phakeng for her resilience, determination and love for education, in the face of persecution. She has made her mark and leaves a legacy of black excellence and promotion of education, and may she hold her head up high and proud as she departs the institution.

Issued by Sinawo Thambo, National Spokesperson, EFF, 22 February 2023