Mamokgethi Phakeng

Mmutlana was born in Eastwood, Pretoria, to Frank and Wendy Mmutlana (née Thipe). Her mother went back to school after having her three children to complete Form 3 as entry to gaining a Primary Teachers Certificate to practice as a teacher. Her father was one of the first black radio announcers at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).

Mmutlana started school in 1972 at Ikageleng Primary in 1972 in Marapyane village and then Ikageng Primary in Ga-Rankuwa. She attended Tsela-tshweu higher primary; Tswelelang Higher Primary; Thuto-Thebe Middle School; Odi High School and Hebron. She completed her matric with University Exemption in 1983 (Grade 12) in the village of Hebron's College of Education.

She achieved a BSc in pure mathematics at the University of North-West,[2] and a MSc in mathematics education at the University of the Witwatersrand.[2] In 2002 she became the first black female South African to obtain a PhD in mathematics education.[7][8]

Mmutlana has won awards for excellence in service. These honors include:

• Doctor of Science, honoris causa, University of Bristol
• The Order of the Baobab (Silver) for her excellent contribution in the field of science and representing South Africa on the international stage through her outstanding research work presented to her by former president of South Africa Jacob Zuma. (April 2016)
• CEO Magazine award for being the most influential woman in education and training in South Africa (August 2013):
• NSTF award for being the most outstanding Senior Black Female Researcher over the last 5 to 10 years in recognition of her innovative, quality research on teaching and learning mathematics in multilingual classrooms. (May 2011)

• Golden key International Society Honorary life membership (May 2009)
• Association of Mathematics Education of South Africa (AMESA) Honorary life membership (July 2009)
• Amstel Salute to Success finalist (2005)
• Dr. T. W. Khambule Research Award for being the most outstanding young female black researcher for 2003: Conferred by the NSTF (May 2004)
• Outstanding Service Award (Education category). Conferred by the Sunday Sun and Christ Centred Church (2004).
• Finalist for SA Woman of the Year in the Science and Technology Category (2003).
• Prestige National Award South Africa’s Inspirational Women Achievers Award -Conferred by RCP Media, (June 2003).
• NRF Thuthuka Award (2003–2008).
• National Research Foundation/National Science Foundation USA/SA fellowship (2001; 2003)
• Mellon Award (1998 – 2000)
• SAB Women in Rural Areas Award (1997).[9]

• Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Town (2018)
• Executive Dean of College of Science Engineering and Technology of University of South Africa[10]
• Honorary Professor of University of the Witwatersrand[11]
• Professor extraordinaire of Tshwane University of Technology[12]
• Deputy Chairperson of National Committee for the International Mathematics Union[13]
• Trustee of FirstRand Limited Foundation[14]
• Trustee of Telkom SA Foundation[15]
• Board Member of South Africa, International Council for Science (ICSU) Board[16]
• Managing Director of Pythagoras[2]

She was married to Richard Setati for 19 years (1988–2007) and they had one son,[17] Tsholofelo who was born in 1990. In 2012, she married Madimetja Lucky Phakeng, thereby adding the appendage "Phakeng" to her surname. Lucky Phakeng is an advocate currently heading the Takeover Regulation Panel.

• Publications by Mamokgethi Phakeng, at ResearchGate