Kgethi Phakeng, PhD(Wits); Hon DSc (UBristol)

Don’t get it twisted, I have a wicked sense of humour & am only here to inspire & give hope. #DeputyMother #MakeEducationFashionable #FabacademicFamily

[Kgethi Phakeng, PhD(Wits); Hon DSc (UBristol) @FabAcademic]

I’m proud to announce that this year, I’m launching the Make Education Fashionable Awards 2025, which come with R150,000 in prizes, to recognise graduates who are using their education to make an impact.

Nominations are officially open and close on 10 November. Nominate yourself or someone you know deserves celebration. Click the link in bio for more info.

At the end of the day, education remains the most reliable equaliser. Let’s keep proving that education is still the most fashionable thing there is❤️

[Kgethi Phakeng, PhD(Wits); Hon DSc (UBristol) @FabAcademic]

@nkuna_alton Thanks for sharing. 🙏🏾🫶🏽

[Kgethi Phakeng, PhD(Wits); Hon DSc (UBristol) @FabAcademic]

Session 6.6: AI for the people - Engineerng independence for the visually impaired https://t.co/6VcC8gbTQR

[Kgethi Phakeng, PhD(Wits); Hon DSc (UBristol) @FabAcademic]

@Sellomab @JJTabane We only hire SA citizens. I apologise that am not able to assist. Thanks for your kind understanding. Best wishes.

[Kgethi Phakeng, PhD(Wits); Hon DSc (UBristol) @FabAcademic]

@nobu7901 “Life is a journey of challenges, be kind to one other❤️💐”

[Kgethi Phakeng, PhD(Wits); Hon DSc (UBristol) @FabAcademic]

While some people use AI to save minutes, others use it to change lives.

Today you’ll meet a young African innovator who looked at a challenge millions had accepted as normal and asked a different question: “What if it didn’t have to be this way?”

The answer is now attracting global attention.

Join us at 5pm SAST.
📍 https://t.co/ap9D1NWidk

#SundaySessions #FabAcademicUnfiltered #AIForThePeople #AfricanInnovation #YouthInnovation #TechnologyWithPurpose

[Kgethi Phakeng, PhD(Wits); Hon DSc (UBristol) @FabAcademic]

@coverslanny 

[Kgethi Phakeng, PhD(Wits); Hon DSc (UBristol) @FabAcademic]

@ColeNitro @SAPoliceService Excellent work by the police! Am definitely happy. Well done!

[Kgethi Phakeng, PhD(Wits); Hon DSc (UBristol) @FabAcademic]

As an 11-year-old boy, Elihle made a promise to his visually impaired grandmother that one day, he would find a way to help people like her live more independently.

Today that promise is Spectacles4TheBlind SA, AI-powered smart glasses helping visually impaired people navigate the world in multiple South African languages.

Now he is shortlisted among the Top 150 startups globally for the Leap Startup East competition in Hong Kong.

Tomorrow, Thabang and I speak with him.

Sunday, 7 June @17:00 SAST
📍FabAcademic Unfiltered👉🏾 https://t.co/ap9D1NWidk

#SundaySessions #AIForGood #Accessibility #AfricanInnovation

[Kgethi Phakeng, PhD(Wits); Hon DSc (UBristol) @FabAcademic]

@Mgovogovo @Mos_057 @zibusiso431 @nyawodzam @Darkiemantsu @Lord_Ori_ Even if you wanted it…..

[Kgethi Phakeng, PhD(Wits); Hon DSc (UBristol) @FabAcademic]

As we bravely wage war against illegal immigrants, may we not forget Constantia, Bishopscourt, Parklands, and the like. There’s more than illegal immigration hiding there, so those are excellent places to start.

My hope is that EVERYONE is treated as a suspect because an illegal immigrant is an illegal immigrant, whether they come from Burundi, Cambodia or France, and whether they live in shacks or mansions….as long as they are here illegally, then zonke bonke….one side👉🏾

Being poor, black or African CANNOT be the “obvious clue” that someone is here illegally. If really, the plan is to treat skin colour, class or accent as “symptoms” of illegality, then we should at least have the courage to admit that our issue is not illegal immigration…..sixabene nje nobumnyama.

Izingane zikaJan van Riebeeck ziyakwazi ukuvota la, noma ziphethe amaPassport aseYurope, kodwa lokho akusihluphi neze! But when it comes to izingane zikaMzilikazi, asifuni ukuzwa ngisho iphunga lazo, we immediately assume illegality and demand papers🤷🏽‍♀️

It’s not yet Uhuru, but we have hope.

[Kgethi Phakeng, PhD(Wits); Hon DSc (UBristol) @FabAcademic]

@JeffSomzila Aneva! 🤞🏾 Ndithuke if you want but I will never! Andikwazi!

[Kgethi Phakeng, PhD(Wits); Hon DSc (UBristol) @FabAcademic]

Five things I am grateful for today:
1. Life: How cool it is that I'm actually still here, in this world, making waves? Four years ago this time I was wondering whether I will still be here today.
2. Family: They really are my foundation – they stand by me through thick and thin.
3. Health: With my blood pressure at 120/77, I have nothing to complain about.
4. Choice: I love that I have a multitude of choices and every day I can choose to be a happy positive person. Fabulous!
5. Acceptance: I'm so thankful to those who accept me for who I am.

Its Friday! What are you grateful for? #GratitudeFriday

[Kgethi Phakeng, PhD(Wits); Hon DSc (UBristol) @FabAcademic]

@VizLane Thank you but no thanks

[Kgethi Phakeng, PhD(Wits); Hon DSc (UBristol) @FabAcademic]

@PhronesisG No, please dont. I dont want any disturbance.

[Kgethi Phakeng, PhD(Wits); Hon DSc (UBristol) @FabAcademic]

@bajo____ Swaak!

[Kgethi Phakeng, PhD(Wits); Hon DSc (UBristol) @FabAcademic]

@JosephDube19412 Wonderful.

[Kgethi Phakeng, PhD(Wits); Hon DSc (UBristol) @FabAcademic]

@SNdlela_ So nifunani la? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[Kgethi Phakeng, PhD(Wits); Hon DSc (UBristol) @FabAcademic]

@ndlondlo_mdu Nginayo shem. Thank you for caring.

[Kgethi Phakeng, PhD(Wits); Hon DSc (UBristol) @FabAcademic]

@JeffSomzila It has multiplied. Thank you

[Kgethi Phakeng, PhD(Wits); Hon DSc (UBristol) @FabAcademic]

@Juniour1422907 Very very!

[Kgethi Phakeng, PhD(Wits); Hon DSc (UBristol) @FabAcademic]

@Ncusane A very special moment indeed!