To students and colleagues alike, Professor Phakeng has become known as (the) ‘Fab Academic’ – a title given by a former colleague which today is her handle not only on social media but is furthermore a credo which she continues to live by; where she encourages personal connection between staff and students – even encouraging new students to refer to her as their ‘deputy mother’.
Professor Phakeng continues to aspire to reach new heights and find new opportunities to achieve her mandate – and having been recognised as the Most Influential Woman Academic on the African Continent, Professor Phakeng remains focussed on the future; expressing that (although) “rewards are nice, but I take them as a challenge”.
During the national lockdown, this approach has led to Professor Phakeng taking on the task of delivering lectures to students from her home office, where she presents material across Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram – where her videos have collectively been viewed more than a million times.
As part of many of her initiatives, Professor Phakeng continues to demonstrate her commitment to modernise both her office and the University itself.
“I have transformed the office of the Vice-Chancellor”, says Professor Phakeng. “When I got into the office, you find traditions, histories, and ways of being – and I have made it more accessible; I have brought it to the level of the people – and when I’m gone, I’d like to be remembered as someone who shook up the institution”.