Prof. Sizwe Mabizela

Biography

Sizwe Mabizela is the Vice-Chancellor of Rhodes University and a Professor of Mathematics. He assumed the role of Vice-Chancellor in November 2014, following his tenure as Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic & Student Affairs from 2008 to 2014. Prior to that, he served as the Head of the Department of Mathematics (Pure & Applied) from 2004 to 2008.

Mabizela's research interests lie in Approximation Theory and Applied Functional Analysis. He earned his PhD in Mathematics from Pennsylvania State University in 1991. Over the years, he has authored and co-authored numerous research papers published in international journals. Additionally, he has delivered several keynote and invited addresses at both national and international conferences.

Between 1992 and 2003, Mabizela served as an academic in the Department of Pure & Applied Mathematics at the University of Cape Town, where he progressed through the academic ranks to become an Associate Professor and Deputy Head of Department. In 2004, he was appointed to a Chair in Mathematics at Rhodes University, a position he accepted.

For several years, Mabizela served as a member of the South African Mathematics Olympiad Committee. In July 2014, he chaired the 55th International Mathematics Olympiad, hosted at the University of Cape Town – an historic occasion marking the first time this prestigious global competition was held on African soil.

Mabizela served as a member of South Africa’s Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training, Umalusi, from 2006 to 2014, and as Chairperson of the Council from 2010 to 2014. He currently serves on several boards, including the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Board, the Funda Wande Board, the Thuthuka Education Upliftment Fund Board, and Universities South Africa (USAf).