Announcing the new president of Convocation

Dear colleagues and students

Following the 2021 Annual General Meeting of Convocation, we would like to congratulate Mr Kassi Carl Manlan on his election as the new president of Convocation.

UCT’s Convocation is a statutory body administered by the Office of the Registrar. It provides a platform for alumni to actively participate and engage in pertinent issues affecting the university community and to help find solutions.

Mr Manlan serves as vice president: inclusive impact and sustainability for Visa Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa. Prior to joining Visa, he was the chief operating officer at Ecobank Foundation, where he led the bank’s social impact work in 33 markets in Africa.

He holds an undergraduate degree in politics, philosophy and economics from the University of Cape Town, obtained in 2002. The following year, he completed his honours in financial analysis and portfolio management. He also holds a Master of Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School – the public policy school of Harvard University.

• Read Mr Carl Manlan’s abridged CV.

He has served and continues to support organisations focused on education, health and advocacy. In 2015, he was awarded one of the highest civilian honours, “Officier de l’Ordre du Mérite du Bénin”, for his contribution to the improvement of health financing in the Republic of Benin.

He has held various leadership roles at the African Union Development Agency, Economic Commission for Africa, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria as well as the United Nations Development Programme.

We look forward to working with Mr Manlan in his role.

Sincerely

Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng
Vice-Chancellor

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements