Duncan Mhakure

Unit Head

Duncan Mhakure (PhD) is an Associate Professor at the University of Cape Town (UCT) in the Centre for Higher Education Development specialising in mathematics education. He has profound interests in mathematical knowledge for teaching – teacher professional development and teacher education, mathematical modelling education, quantitative literacy, numeracy, and classroom discourses of mathematics teaching in both schools and higher education. Associate Professor Mhakure is an international scholar who has collaborated with research partners and/or agencies in Brazil, Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, Norway, and South Africa. In addition, he has been involved with the Erasmus+ postgraduate mobility students. His social responsiveness and research activities are focussed on improving the teaching and learning of mathematics in schools located in disadvantaged communities through school-based in-service programmes for mathematics teachers using the lesson study approach. Internationally, Associate Professor Mhakure is South Africa’s representative in the International Mathematics Modelling Challenge (IMMC), in addition to belonging to the following professional associations: AFRICME; AMESA; ATINER; ICME; ICMI; ICTMA; MES; PME; and SAARMSTE.  

Email: Duncan.Mhakure@uct.ac.za

Clyde Felix

Dr Clyde Felix is a senior lecturer in the Numeracy Centre. He is an experienced mathematics educator with a keen interest in all philosophical and socio-cultural aspects related to teaching and learning of mathematics. His current research interests are focussed on teaching and learning quantitative literacy across different academic fields, mathematical modelling, teaching and learning with technology (including AI), and the professional development of mathematics educators. He is also supervising/co-supervising postgraduate students in these fields.

Email: Clyde.Felix@uct.ac.za

Nomphelo Lungisa

Nomphelo Lungisa is the Numeracy Centre's Administrative Officer since 2003 and handles communications with students, tutors and other parts of the university administration. She is responsible for various administrative tasks including managing tutor payments, processing data and helping with preparing teaching materials.

Email: Nomphelo.Lungisa@uct.ac.za

Renee Rix

Renee Rix is a lecturer in the Numeracy Centre. She teaches quantitative literacy to undergraduate students from various faculties (predominantly Humanities). Prior to joining the Numeracy in 2015, she taught high school mathematics. Her teaching interest lies in supporting students to understand deeply whatever quantitative material they are presented with, whether that be pure mathematics or numerical information in context. Her research focuses on the pedagogy of mathematics support courses for first year students.

Email: renee.rix@uct.ac.za

Yasheemah Williams

Yasheemah Williams has been a lecturer in the Numeracy Centre since 2021, specializing in Quantitative Literacy courses for students in the Humanities and Health Sciences. Her research interests lie in Mathematics Education, with a strong focus on enhancing teaching and learning practices. In addition to her work in education, Yasheemah holds a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, bringing a unique interdisciplinary perspective to her teaching and research. Through her expertise, she is committed to equipping students with essential quantitative skills that support their academic and professional success.

e-mail: Yasheemah.Williams@uct.ac.za

Jumani Clarke

Jumani Clarke is a lecturer in the Numeracy Centre. He teaches quantitative literacy in undergraduate mathematics courses for students from various faculties (Law, Humanities, Health Science), where students ability to apply numerical reasoning in context is developed. He also contributes to the Numeracy Centre's teaching with technology, where students are introduced to the analysis and summary of quantitative information with spreadsheets (Excel). Jumani has master's degrees in mathematics and development studies from UCT.

Email: Jumani.Clarke@uct.ac.za

Michelle Henry

Michelle Henry joined the Numeracy Centre in 2015. Currently she convenes the Numbers in Humanities course for Extended Degree students, and teaches on the Quantitative Literacy for Social Sciences and interventions offered to students in the Health Science Faculty. Her background is in Psychology, and her research interests focus mainly on stress and cognition, sleep and well-being, and memory and learning.

Email: M.Henry@uct.ac.za 

Muzikayise Sikhonde

Dr Muzikayise Edward Sikhonde is a Lecturer in the Numeracy Centre within UCT’s Academic Development Programme, where he teaches Quantitative Literacy. He has experience lecturing and tutoring in Mathematics and related fields at UCT, UNISA, and through the National Astrophysics and Space Science Programme. His academic background spans applied mathematics, statistics, astrophysics, and cosmology, and he has published research in peer-reviewed journals. In addition to his teaching, Dr Sikhonde co-supervises a master’s student and has contributed to initiatives that strengthen student learning and academic support. He brings to the Numeracy Centre a strong commitment to helping students build confidence with quantitative skills that are essential for success across disciplines

Email: muzikayise.sikhonde@uct.ac.za

Miranda Moodley

Miranda Moodley is a lecturer in the Numeracy Centre at the University of Cape Town. She teaches quantitative literacy to first-year students across faculties, including Humanities and Health Sciences. Before joining the Numeracy Centre permanently in 2024, she has worked in similar roles in the Psychology and Social Work Department at UCT. 

Miranda is completing a PhD in Applied Mathematics and has a Masters in Psychological Research, both from the University of Cape Town. Her teaching and research interests lie in helping students engage deeply with quantitative material, whether in pure mathematics or applied contexts. She is passionate about the pedagogy and learning of quantitative literacy in the social sciences.

Wisani Hlangwani