Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng started her education under a tree and had to walk up to 10km just to get to school. Today, she is a full professor in mathematics education. She is also preparing to take over from Max Price as the vice-chancellor of the University of Cape Town from July. Perhaps foretelling good fortune, Phakeng was born still in her amniotic sac, in a Catholic clinic in Eastwood, Pretoria, on November 1, 1966. Her
