The University of Cape Town (UCT) has, for the first time in its history, appointed two women to fill the positions of council chairperson and deputy.

Babalwa Ngonyama is the university council’s new chairperson and Nazeema Mohamed has been appointed as her deputy from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2024.

The university now has female leaders at the helm in crucial governance, ceremonial and executive roles, with the latter two being the chancellor, Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe and the vice-chancellor, Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng.

“UCT congratulates both Ms Ngonyama and Ms Mohamed for their election and wishes them all the best as they carry out, over the next four years, the task of leading a collective that is responsible for steering the institution at a governance level,” said the university.

The council also elected six chairs for its main committees and has appointed members to these, with four committees to be chaired by women.