Tawana Kupe
Tawana Kupe in 2019
Vice-Chancellor and Principal University of Pretoria
In office
January 2019 – July 2023
Preceded byCheryl de la Rey
Personal details
NationalityZimbabwean
Alma materUniversity of Zimbabwe
University of Oslo
OccupationAcademic administrator
Media studies professional
AwardsKnight of the French Legion of Honour

Tawana Kupe is a Zimbabwean academic. He was the vice-chancellor of the University of Pretoria in South Africa.[1] Prior to this appointment he held several senior positions at the University of Witwatersrand, including deputy vice-chancellor and vice-principal, where he also founded the Media Studies Department. He also lectured at Rhodes University. Before Rhodes, he worked in various academic capacities at the University of Zimbabwe.

Life

Professor Kupe served as the executive dean of the Wits Faculty of Humanities for six years, between January 2007 and December 2012, after serving as the head of the then Wits School of Literature and Language Studies, and the founding Head of the Media Studies Department. Prior to joining Wits, Professor Kupe lectured at Rhodes University between 1999 and 2001. He joined Rhodes from the University of Zimbabwe, where he worked in various academic capacities from 1988, including as chairperson of the Department of English, Media and Communication Studies. He was announced as vice-chancellor in November 2018, replacing Cheryl de la Rey.[2] Professor Kupe holds a BA Honours degree and Masters in English from the University of Zimbabwe, as well as a DPhil in Media Studies from the University of Oslo in Norway. In December 2019, Professor Kupe was awarded an honorary doctorate degree in humanities by Michigan State University (MSU) and by the University of Montpellier.[3] Kupe was named a Knight of the French Legion of Honour for his contributions to interdisciplinary research and academic collaboration.[4] University council announced Kupe's resignation from his position as vice-chancellor and principal of the University of Pretoria, effective July 2023.[5]

Controversy

In June 2023 Kupe unexpectedly resigned from his post as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Pretoria, 6 months before the end of his term.[6] Local media reported that he had recently been cleared of sexual harassment allegations.[7] It was subsequently revealed that Kupe had previously been found guilty of sexual harassment at the University of the Witwatersrand where he was given a final written warning.[8]

Current positions

  • Chairperson for Africa – Australia-Africa Universities Network (AAUN),[9] (2019-)

Former positions

  • Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-Principal – University of the Witwatersrand[10]
  • Vice-Chancellor and Principal – University of Pretoria,[11] South Africa (2019- 2023)

References

  1. ↑ "Nina Simone: Four Women - Market Theatre | Justice Edwin Cam… | Flickr". 15 June 2023. Archived from the original on 15 June 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  2. ↑ "University of Pretoria appoints new Vice-Chancellor and Principal | University of Pretoria". 15 June 2023. Archived from the original on 15 June 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  3. ↑ "Tawana Kupe, le charisme au service de l'université africaine - Université de Montpellier". www.umontpellier.fr (in French). Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  4. ↑ "UP Vice-Chancellor Prof Tawana Kupe appointed Knight of the French Legion of Honour | University of Pretoria". 15 June 2023. Archived from the original on 15 June 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  5. ↑ "Kupe resigns as University of Pretoria vice-chancellor - SABC News". 15 June 2023. Archived from the original on 15 June 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  6. ↑ University of Pretoria (13 June 2023). "Announcement regarding the UP Vice-Chancellor and Principal".
  7. ↑ Charles, Marvin (14 June 2023). "Vice-chancellor Kupe leaves University of Pretoria early, after delayed all-clear on sexual harassment". News24.
  8. ↑ Charles, Marvin (23 June 2023). "Tuks vice-chancellor Tawana Kupe was found guilty of sexual harassment at Wits in 2016". News24.
  9. ↑ "UP Vice-Chancellor Prof Tawana Kupe elected to lead African universities". University of Pretoria. 24 July 2019. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  10. ↑ "Mr Nice Guy with a big mission – The Mail & Guardian". 15 June 2023. Archived from the original on 15 June 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  11. ↑ "ANC lauds 'historic' appointment of Prof Tawana Kupe as UP vice-chancellor". News24. 22 November 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
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