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Prof Jacob Mofokeng, Head of the Tshwane University of Technology’s Department of Safety and Security Management.
The official awarding announcement will take place in Cape Town today, 9 September at a gala dinner, where Dr Vathiswa Papu-Zamxaka, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement will deliver a keynote address.
The African Research Chair for Public Safety in institutions of learning will contribute extensively towards focussed research to find knowledge-based innovative solutions that stem the tide of school/campus crimes and violence on the African continent. Through his widespread local, continental and international academic networks, Prof Mofokeng will be able to attract the best scholars, researchers and emerging researchers to conduct empirical research on the root causes of crime and endemic violence in learning communities in Africa.
Prof Mofokeng will chart the way forward to achieve the mandate of the chair with focus on the following:
- Spearhead and drive the research in respect of innovative solutions for the campus and school public safety.
- Drive the gender-based violence (GBV) research programmes to find lasting solutions.
- Connect and make Research Chair as the driving force and magnate for innovative campus safety and security programmes regarding 740 institutions of higher learning in Africa.
- Act as a data collection hub for GBV to assist the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Department of Higher Education (DHET).
Prof Mashupye Maserumule, Executive Dean at the Faculty of Humanities.
Prof Mofokeng holds a Doctor Technologiae: Policing as well as Baccalaureus Technologiae: Business Information System from TUT, a National Diploma and National Higher Diploma: Policing with Technikon SA. He is member of the Council of the Criminological and Victimological Society of Southern Africa (CRIMSA). He has extensive teaching experience in Criminal Investigation at undergraduate level. He has successfully supervised and co-supervised eight doctoral students and 42 master’s students. Before joining TUT, he was a functional member of the SAPS Detective Service for ten years. He was also Unit Commander for three years. He published 40 articles in accredited journals, supervised eight doctoral and 42 master’s students.
In addition to his many accolades, between 2014 and 2017, Prof Mofokeng won six Vice-Chancellor’s awards, of which two were awarded as the Faculty of Humanities Senior Researcher of the Year, and four as merit awards for his excellent performance, demonstrated through postgraduate supervision, community engagement, as well as research outputs. Prof Mofokeng was recognised for his exemplary contribution to the promotion and expansion of the frontiers of human rights and fostering global solidarity. He has presented papers both at national and international conferences.
Prof Mashupye Maserumule, Executive Dean at the Faculty of Humanities said: “The awarding of the Chair marks a vote of confidence in the capability of our researchers and scholars in the Faculty, including the quality and impact of their scholarship in shaping societal evolution. It is another milestone true to being a people’s university that makes knowledge work”.
“We are very excited and proud of Prof Mofokeng. We will be by his side when they officially announce the great news, cheering him on because we know the significance and impact this Chair will have towards this global pandemic on GBV,” said Dr Papu-Zamxaka.