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Edwin Naidu
University of Cape Town Council Chairperson Babalwa Ngonyama has resigned immediately after finding herself in conflict with the very panel which forced out former vice-chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng.
“After thoughtful consideration and deep and thorough reflection, I have decided to step down as Chair and member of Council of the University of Cape Town (UCT),” said the chartered accountant and business woman in a communication to staff.
“This decision, which was not a light one, will come into effect immediately,” Ngonyama added in the statement which has not yet been distributed to the university community.
Currently in Paris on business, Ngonyama said that her decision was taken considering her unreserved commitment expressed when taking up this role and during her tenure – to put the interests of the institution first at all times.
With experience spanning more than two decades, Sinayo Securities founder and CEO Babalwa Ngonyama has enjoyed an illustrious career in the financial services sector.
Under Sinayo Securities Ngonyama leads several passion projects – notably the company graduate training programme dubbed ‘Project Funda’, which assists young graduates by equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills required for future employment. To date, more than 60 graduates have secure direct industry exposure, either with Sinayo Securities and its clients.
“I have also taken this decision having considered the impact of the current circumstances on my wellness and health,” she added.
Phakeng reached an exit settlement with UCT in February 2023.
This intensified since Council announced an independent investigation panel late last year to look into governance-related issues at the university.
“I wish to also state, as I always have, that I remain committed to the work of the panel and I have always been unwavering in my willingness to appear before and cooperate fully with the panel.”
As part of the panel’s ongoing work, Ngonyama was invited and also informed that there were allegations made against her by some individuals who had appeared before the panel.
“It is one thing to focus on improving governance at UCT, it is a completely different matter to use the process in an attempt to lay blame.”
“As part of the process and in the interest of procedural fairness but also to ensure efficiency in how the claims made against me are addressed, I requested that I be furnished with the statements of the individuals beforehand.”
“The request was made so that I could thoroughly respond to them and be afforded an adequate opportunity to address them. I also requested that I be allowed to cross examine the witnesses as part of testing the allegations against me. I was not afforded that courtesy.”
She said that it was important for any person appearing before the panel who needs to respond to claims against them to be given access to any statements or evidence presented by those making the claims against them.
“Unfortunately, the panel has been unwilling to grant me this opportunity, which conflicts with a basic tenet of procedural fairness.”
Ngonyama asked the Western Cape High Court to decide on the fairness of the process and the nature and extent of the panel’s powers under the revised terms of reference, the Institutional Statute and the Higher Education Act.
But this prompted the panel to release a pre-emptive interim report to Council, recommending that steps be taken to remove her.
“It would be a disservice to see a situation where the university returns to the days of instability or sections within the university once again becoming polarised by this matter. It is for this reason that I have concluded that it was best for me to resign and deal with this matter outside Council through the available legal mechanisms,” she said.
Pending the resolution of the contested issues, Ngonyama said she is willing to cooperate with the work of the panel as it presents UCT with an opportunity to address the challenges that beset the university.
“What is important is that fairness, transparency, justice and due process prevails,” she said.
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