MrKaizerMotaung–
Alifededicatedtofootball andnation-building
FromthedustyfootballfieldsofOrlando EastinSowetototheglobalstageof internationalsoccer,thestoryofKaizer Motaungisoneofextraordinarytalent, resilienceandleadership.
Bornon16October1944,KaizerMotaungdiscoveredhisloveforfootballatanearlyage AsalearneratOrlandoHighSchool,hisexceptionalspeed,dribblingabilityandpowerful leftfootquicklysethimapart Knownforhisdedication,youngKaizerwouldoftenspend extrahourshoninghiscraftontheroughpitchesofSoweto-adisciplinethatwouldshape therestofhislife
Atjust16yearsold,MotaungmadehistorywhenhedebutedprofessionallyforOrlando Pirates,becomingtheyoungestplayerevertorepresenttheclubintheSouthAfrican SoccerLeague Hiselectrifyingperformancessoonearnedhimwidespreadadmirationand memorablenicknamessuchasChinchaGuluva(“themanwiththequickfeet”)andKing Kaizer
Bythelate1960s,hewaswidelyregardedasthefinestfootballerinSouthAfrica In1968, hiscareertookaninternationalturnwhenhejoinedtheAtlantaChiefsintheUnitedStates, wherehewasvotedNASLRookieoftheYear Despitehissuccessabroad,Motaungmade alife-definingdecision:hereturnedhomein1970,drivenbyadesiretogivebackandto buildsomethinglastinginSouthAfrica
ReadmoreaboutthisFootballlegendandtheHonoraryDoctoratethatWitsUniversity bestowedonhiminrecognitionofhisimmensecontributiontofootball,youth developmentandSouthAfrica
ArtificialIntelligence:'Lazinessandstupidity',ourbiggestrisk
SirJohnLazar,technologyleader,investor,philanthropistandWitsalumnus,paidhomage toSouthAfrica'sGrandGeekatthe2025ProfessorBarryDwolatzkyMemorialLecture
Prof Barry,ashewasaffectionatelycalled,hadleftaprofoundimpactonallhemetinhis 50yearsasastudent,lecturer,researcher,innovator,mentorandvisionaryatWits University HealsolecturedLazarincomputerscienceintheearly80satWitsduringa timeofdeepturmoilinSouthAfrica However,Lazarrecallshehada“wonderfuleducation andfoundtrulyastoundinggroundingatWits Todayitisstillawonderful,vibrant,topclassinstitution,andI'mproudofthat”LazarbecamePresidentoftheRoyalAcademyof EngineeringintheUKin2024andearlierthisyearwasknightedbyBritain'sKingCharlesIII forhisservicestoengineeringandtechnology
Inhislecture,LazarwarnsofwhathebelievestobethebiggestriskinAI: “Ashortcircuit tolazinessandstupidity”
HowcanGenerativeAIand themusicindustryco-exist?
GenerativeAImodelscreatemusic throughthelarge-scaleingestionof copyrightedworkstoproducenewaudio, melodies,lyricsandvocallikeness They alsodistributemusicthroughlicensed, data-drivenpersonalisedlistening
experiences NewAI-systemsareevolving fasterthanexistinglegalandtechnical infrastructurescanadapt,backedby powerfulinvestorsandintegratedinto globalconsumerplatforms How,then, canAIplatformsandthemusicindustry co-existwithoutendingupinthe courtrooms?
AnewpaperbyWitsalumnusCharlesGoldstuck,publishedontheSocialScience ResearchNetwork,takesthepositionthatifcopyrightlaw,caselawevolutionandpublic policydonotevolvetoaccommodatethestructuralchangesposedbyAImusic,the creativeeconomywillbeabsorbedintoanopaque,unregulatedsysteminwhichhuman authorshipissignificantlydevalued
“ThetaskaheadisnottoresistAI,buttoensurethatitevolveswithinamulti-stakeholder governanceframeworkthatprotectscreativelabour,enablesinnovationandscaleswith thevelocityofthedisruption AIservicesandhumancontentcreatorsmustcoexistand bothbeallowedtothrive,”saystheauthorofthepaper,CharlesGoldstuck,atrailblazerin theglobalmusicindustry,andaPhDcandidateattheUniversityoftheWitwatersrand,in Johannesburg Headds:“ItisimportantfortheAfricanmusicindustry,artistsand academicstotaketheirseatattheglobalAItablesothattheculturesanddiversityof1 billionpeopleonthecontinentareaptlyrepresentedandremainattheforefrontofthis globaldiscussion ThisisjustonewayinwhichwearedrivinginvolvementfromAfricain theglobalmusicindustry”
AnotherprojectsupportedbyGoldstuckistheAI&AfricanMusicprojectwhichaimsto buildnewfuturesforAIinmusic,shapedbyAfricansounds,languageandinnovation The projectishostedbytheWitsInnovationCentre(WIC)inpartnershipwiththeMachine IntelligenceandNeuralDiscovery(MIND)InstituteatWitsUniversity
SydneyLipworth (1931-2025)
Distinguishedbarristerandbusinessman SirMauriceSydneyLipworth(BCom1952, LLB1954,LLDhonoriscausa2003) passedawayinLondonon27June2025 attheageof94
BorninJohannesburgon13May1931,he waseducatedatKingEdwardVIISchool beforegraduatingfromWitsUniversity withdistinctioninbothcommerceand law
Atopstudent,hewasjointwinneroftheAlexanderAitkenMedalandreceivedtheSociety ofAdvocatesPrizeforbestlawgraduate Hequalifiedasanattorneyin1955andwas admittedtotheBarthefollowingyear,beginningacareerthatwouldspanlaw,business andpublicservice
TogetherwithfellowWitsalumniSirMarkWeinbergandLordJoelJoffe,SirLipworthwas amongagroupofliberal-mindedlawyerswholeftapartheidSouthAfricainthe1950sto buildnewlivesandcareersabroad AfteradvisingSirDonaldGordonatLibertyLife,he joinedWeinberginLondontoestablishAbbeyLife,whichwaslateracquiredbyITT The triowentontobuildHambroLifeintoAlliedDunbar,whichbecameaFTSE100company beforeitsacquisitionin1986 Followingthissuccess,SirMauriceservedasdeputy chairmanofAlliedDunbarandlaterasChairoftheUKMonopoliesandMergers Commission,earningareputationforindependence,integrityandfearlessleadership He subsequentlychairedtheFinancialReportingCouncil,whereheplayedakeyrolein strengtheningcorporategovernanceandfinancialaccountability Beyondbusiness,SirMauricewasapassionatesupporterofthearts,servingaschairof thePhilharmoniatrusteesandsupportinginstitutionsincludingSadler'sWells,theRoyal AcademyandtheSouthBankFoundation Hewasknightedin1991andappointedan honoraryQCin1993 WithhiswifeRosa,adistinguishedphilanthropistinherownright whowasawardedaCBEin2010,hewasagenerousbenefactortoWitsandawarmhost togenerationsofalumniintheirLondonhome.HeissurvivedbyRosaandoneson; anothersonpredeceasedhim Hislegacyenduresthroughhisprofessionalimpact,his philanthropyandhislifelongconnectiontoWits
SirTerenceEnglish (1931-2025)
SirTerenceAlexanderHawthorneEnglish (born1932inPietermaritzburg)wasa distinguishedWitsalumnusandoneof themostinfluentialpioneersinheart transplantation EducatedatHilton College,heinitiallyfollowedinhisfather's footstepsbystudyingminingengineering attheUniversityoftheWitwatersrand, graduatingin1954 Encouragedbyan unclewhowasasurgeon,andsupported byaninheritancefromanother,helater leftSouthAfricatostudymedicineat Guy'sHospitalMedicalSchoolinLondon, wherehespecialisedincardiothoracic surgery
AlthoughSirTerencebuilthiscareerintheUnitedKingdom,heretainedstrong professionaltiestoSouthAfrica In1963hereturnedtoworkatGrooteSchuurHospitalat theinvitationofhismentor,ProfessorDonaldRoss,joiningProfessorChrisBarnardjust fouryearsbeforeBarnardperformedtheworld'sfirstsuccessfulhearttransplant In1979, followingyearsofethicalandtechnicalchallengesintheUK,SirTerenceledtheteamthat carriedoutthecountry'sfirstsuccessfulhearttransplant,alandmarkachievementthat helpedestablishtheprocedureasroutinelife-savingtreatment
SirTerencewentontobuildoneoftheworld'sforemosttransplantprogrammesat PapworthHospital,partoftheUniversityofCambridge'steachinghospitals,wherehe directedtheBritishHeartFoundationHeartTransplantUnitfrom1980to1998 Healso servedwithdistinctionasPresidentoftheRoyalCollegeofSurgeonsofEngland,President oftheBritishMedicalAssociation,andPresidentoftheInternationalSocietyofHeart Transplantation,andpublishedextensivelyinmedicalliterature Inrecognitionofhis outstandingservice,hewasknightedin1991andlaterreceivedinternationalhonorary fellowshipsanddoctorates
Inadditiontohismedicallegacy,SirTerencewasarespectedacademicleaderasMaster ofStCatharine'sCollege,Cambridge,andlaterDeputyLieutenantofCambridgeshire In retirement,hedevotedmuchofhistimetotrainingdoctorsintraumacareinPakistan The UniversityoftheWitwatersrandawardedhimthedegreeofDoctorofMedicinehonoris causain2008inrecognitionofhisimmensecontributiontomedicine Heisremembered asavisionarysurgeon,teacherandleaderwhoselifereflectedthevaluesandexcellence ofhisalmamater
Witsbreaksgroundon Africa'sfirstfullyintegrated
BioHub
TheWitsInterdisciplinaryand TranslationalScience(WITS)BioHubis oneofthemostambitiousprojectsinthe University's103-yearhistory
Thesod-turningceremonyheldon19September2025atthenewprecinctinHoughton, Johannesburg,markedasymbolicmilestoneinthedevelopmentofacampusdesignedto transformhealthinnovationinAfrica
TheWITSBioHubisconceivedasAfrica'sfirstfullyintegrated'bedside-to-bench-tobreakthrough'campus Unliketraditionalresearchcentres,itbringstogetherscience, clinicalpracticeandcommercialisationpathwaysinonepurpose-builtenvironment By consolidatingworld-classlaboratories,multi-omicsplatforms,clinicaltrialinfrastructure andentrepreneurialspaces,theWITSBioHubaimstoacceleratethejourneyfromscientific ideastotangiblehealthsolutions
MIND-blowing
Thesecondhalfoftheyearhasbeenone ofinternationalrecognitionforProfessor
BenjaminRosman,thefoundingDirector oftheWitsMachineLearningandNeural Discovery(MIND)Institute
Followinghisscholarshipasoneofonly 18early-careerresearchersintheworld whowerechosenfortheCIFARAzrieli GlobalScholarsprogrammefor20222024,hehasbeenappointedasaFellow intheLearninginMachinesandBrains ProgrammeoftheCanadianInstituteof AdvancedResearchwherehejoinsworld expertsinthefield,includingthethree 'GodfathersofAI':ProfessorsYoshua Bengio,YannLeCunandthe2024Nobel PrizeinPhysicslaureate,Professor GeoffryHinton
TIMEMagazineacknowledgedhisambition“tocrazy-ideaourwayoutofproblems”,as oneofthe“100MostInfluentialPeopleinArtificialIntelligence(AI)”for2025,listed amongstthoseinthe“thinkers”category ProfessorRosmantakestheWitstallytothree, joiningfellowWitsiesPelonomiMoiloa(BScEngBM2014,BScEngElec2015)andShakir Mohamed(BScEng2005,MScEng2007),whowereincludedinthe2023inaugurallist
RosmanwasalsoawardedtheProfessionalExcellenceAwardatthe2025InvestecJewish AchieverAwards,inrecognitionofhisleadershipinSouthAfricanartificialintelligenceand forshowcasingtobothSouthAfricaandtheworldthatAfricaisattheforefrontofnatural andartificialintelligenceresearchandlearning
Asafurthertestamenttotheworld-classworkbeingdeliveredbyProfessorRosmanand histeamGoogle.orgawardedtheWitsMINDInstitutecorefundingofUS$1million.This landmarkinvestmentwillsuperchargethecoreresearchbeingdoneanddrivenextgenerationbreakthroughsinnaturalandartificialintelligence
Affordablepowerbrick innovationenergises underservedcommunities
ApioneeringsolarpowersolutioncodevelopedwithWitsUniversityis transformingaccesstoenergyin underservedcommunities,one“Power Brick”atatime.
PecoPower,launchedthroughacollaborationbetweenWitsandimpactinvestment partnerMbono,offersamodular,affordableenergysystemdesignedtogrowwitha household'sneeds TheinnovationwasdevelopedwithsupportfromWitsEnterprise, whichhelpedshapethecommercialisationstrategythatledtoPecoPower'sspin-outas anindependentcompany WitsUniversityremainsafoundationalstakeholderinthe venture
SmartSpotboostssafe,rapid TBdiagnostics
Wits-developedSmartSpothasbecome aninnovativetoolinTBtesting,making diagnosticssafer,faster,andmore accessible.
InasmallyethighlyinnovativelaboratoryinthenewlylaunchedWitsBioHub,Professor BaveshKanaandhisteamarequietlyrevolutionisingtheglobalresponsetotuberculosis (TB) AsHeadoftheCentreofExcellenceinBiomedicalTBResearch,Kanaleadsa researchgroupthatdevelopedSmartSpot,adiagnosticinnovationthathasenhancedTB testinginSouthAfricanandaroundtheworld
TheRhisotopeProjectaimstocreateapowerfuldeterrentfortraffickers Aftersixyears ofintensiveresearchandtesting,theRhisotopeProjecthasofficiallyreachedoperational status–whererhinoswilleffectivelybeprotectedthroughnucleartechnology Theproject aimstodisrupttheillegalrhinohorntradebyembeddinglow-levelradioactiveisotopesinto thehorn Theseradioisotopescanbedetectedbyradiationdetectionequipmentat countriesbordersaroundtheworld,allowingfortheeffectiveinterceptionoftrafficked horns
Fromresearchtomarket–Witstransferslipid formulationtech
TheWitsAdvancedDrugDelivery Platform(WADDP),aleaderinnoveldrug deliverysolutions,hasdevelopedand transferredproprietarylipidformulation technologytoAfrigenBiologics
Thisisanimportantmilestoneforthepharmaceuticalsciencesandprecisionmedicine fields Afterundergoingrigorousdevelopmentandoptimisation,WADDP'slipid formulationtechnology,madetoenhancedrugdeliveryandefficacy,couldtarget cardiovasculardiseases,cancerandinfectiousillnesses Alipid-baseddeliverysystem usestiny,fat-likeparticlestoenhancetheabsorptionandtargetingofdrugsinthebody, resultinginmoreeffectiveandstabletreatmentscomparedtotraditionalmethods
AIrSynQ–abreathoffreshairatthebeach
ResearchdevelopedatWitsUniversityisnowimprovingtheairqualityatBlaauwberg BeachHotelinCapeTownmarkingakeymomentwhereacademicinnovationbecomes real-worldimpact
ThehotelhasadoptedAIrSynQ–anartificialintelligence-poweredsystemdeveloped throughyearsofWitsresearch–tomonitorandimproveindoorairquality Thismakesit oneofthefirsthotelsinSouthAfricatouseAIforthispurpose AIrSynQistheresultof advancedsensinganddatascienceresearchatWits ItwasspunoutfromtheUniversity's TechnologyInnovationEcosystemandisco-ownedbyWitsCommercialEnterprise
AstheUSGovernmentpullsthefundingrugoutfromunderAfricancountriesfighting infectiousdiseases,itismorenecessarythaneverforAfricatomakeitsownmedicine An unexpectedopportunityemanatingfromthispublichealthcrisiscomesintheformofthe shellofthehumblecashewnut,whichiswidelyfarmedacrossAfrica Cashewnutshells arealsowasteproducts,sotheiruseforvariousindustrialandmedicalapplicationsdoes notcompetewithanyotherapplications Theoilextractedfromthediscardedshellcan easilybeconvertedintohydrogenatedcardanol Afewsimplesyntheticstepsarethen followedtomakeionisablelipids,whichcanbecustom-designedandassembledaslipid nanoparticlestocarryencapsulatedmessengerRNA(mRNA)inavaccine,triggeringan immuneresponse
Africa'smost fearedsnakecan helptosniffout pollution
Newresearchhasshown thatheavymetalssuchas lead,arsenic,cadmiumand mercuryaccumulateinthe scalesofBlackMambas
Africa'sfastestandmostfearedsnakes,canbeakeyplayerintotrackingpollution,while atthesametimekeepingecosystemshealthy Thestudy,conductedonsnakescaptured inDurbaninKwaZulu-Natalwasthefirstofitskindtoexamineheavymetalaccumulation inanAfricansnakespecies Theresultsmeanthatresearcherscanusescaleclippings fromthesesnakestoaccuratelymeasurespatialpatternsofenvironmentalpollution levels,withoutharmingthesnakes
“BlackMambasarecommonintheDurbanarea,andindividualsoftenliveinthesame refugeforyears,”saysProfessorGrahamAlexander,aherpetologistatWits “Ifthebody tissueofindividualscontainhighlevelsofheavymetals,itisastrongsignthatthelocal environmentisunderthreat”
SnakessuchasBlackMambasareApexpredators,whichmeantheyfeedonvariousother animalssuchasbirdsandrodents Thepollutantsabsorbedfromthefoodthattheirprey eateventuallyaccumulateinthebodytissueofthesnakes Thestudy'sfindingshighlight thevalueofhavingconnectedgreenspacesaroundcities,astheyhelpprotectwildlife fromharmfulpollutionlinkedtourbandevelopment
KarooOriginsfossilcentreopensinGraaff-Reinet
TheCentreoffersvisitorsandresearchersaviewintotheKaroo'srichpalaeontological andgeologicalheritage OperatedunderthedirectionofProfessorBruceRubidge,former directoroftheEvolutionaryStudiesInstituteattheUniversityoftheWitwatersrand,the CentreoperatesincollaborationwithWitsandalreadyservesasafieldbaseforlocaland internationalscientistsstudyingtherocksandfossilsoftheregion
TheCentre'sworldclassdisplaystracethegeologicalhistoryoftheKarooandthefossil recordofkeyevolutionarymilestones,includingtheoriginsofdinosaurs,tortoises, crocodilesandmammals ItsfoundationistheinternationallyrenownedRubidgeFossil Collection,previouslyhousedfor91yearsonWellwood,theRubidgefamilyfarm The collectionwasinitiatedin1934whenfarmerSidneyRubidge,inspiredbyaquestionfrom his10-year-olddaughterPeggy,discoveredtheremarkablycompleteskullofalarge therapsid–laternamedDinogorgonrubidgeibynotedpalaeontologistDrRobertBroom
Overthefollowingdecade,Rubidgeassembledoneoftheworld'smostsignificant
collectionsofPermianandTriassicfossils Thecollectionisdistinguishedbyits107 holotypespecimens–theoriginalreferencefossilsusedtodefinenewspecies–the largestnumberdisplayedinanysingleexhibitionglobally “TheRubidgeFossilCollection containsawidediversityoffossil'reptile'speciesthatlivedbetween260and250million yearsago,”saysProfessorBruceRubidge “Atthattime,themostabundantland-living vertebratesweretherapsidmammal-likereptiles,themostdistantancestorsofmammals”
Witslaunchesresearch centretosolveSouthAfrica's waterchallenges
SouthAfrica'swateremergencyis deepening,withmorefrequentregional 'DayZero'typeeventsoccurring, prolongedlocalsupplyfailuresinmetros andsmallermunicipalitiesandcollapsing infrastructureleavingmillionsvulnerable
Whiletheaccesstowaterisanaturalandbasichumanright,watercriseslikeweseein SouthAfricatodayarehuman-made:humanactioncansolvethem WitsUniversity, launcheditsflagshipwaterresearchcentre,Wits:Hâ‚‚Oinresponsetothesewatercrises inSeptember2025
PreviouslyknownastheCentreinWaterResearchandDevelopment(CIWaRD),Wits:Hâ‚‚O isaworkingresearchgroupingthatbringstogethergovernment,business,academiaand civilsocietytobringreal-worldsolutionstowaterchallengesinSouthAfricaandacross theAfricancontinent TheCentreisledbyProfessorCraigSheridan,ClaudeLeon FoundationChairinWaterResearchatWitsandsupportedbyProfessorHeidiRichards fromtheWitsSchoolofChemistrywiththesupportofalargenetworkofinterdisciplinary researchers
“We,asSouthAfricanslocatedwithintheAfricancontinent,arefacingawatercrisis From regional'DayZero'typeeventstoongoinglocalwatersupplyfailures,everypersonis impacted Wits:Hâ‚‚Orepresentsourapproachtothinkingaboutwaterandengaging meaningfullywiththiscrisis,”says Sheridan
WitslaunchestheEarth ObservatoryandCORES
TheUniversityoftheWitwatersrandhas launchedtwoinitiativesthatplaceAfrica atthecentreofglobalearth-science innovation
TheEarthObservatoryandtheAfricanResearchCentreforOreSystemsScience(CORES) areasignificantsteptowardsamoreresponsible,inclusive,sustainableand technologicallyadvancedmineralssector.
TheEarthObservatory,housedwithintheWitsSchoolofGeosciences,istheonlyfacilityof itskindontheAfricancontinent Itsfacilitiesenablearangeofcutting-edgegeoanalytical techniques,includingsamplepreparationandgeometallurgy,aswellasisotopicand geophysicalanalysis TheObservatory'sadvancedinstrumentationisnotallavailable anywhereelseinAfrica Forexample,automatedmineralogyandU-Pbage-determination systemsallowresearchers,studentsandindustrycollaboratorstoexploreEarth'sdeep historyandidentifyresourcesvitaltotheclean-energytransition
SouthAfrica'smineralwealthiswritteninsomeoftheoldestrocksonEarth TheKaapvaal Craton,BarbertonGreenstoneBeltandVredefortDometella3.5-billion-yearstoryof planetaryevolution,meteoriteimpactsandmineralformation Formorethanacentury, Witsscientistshavebeeninstrumentalindecodingthatrecord Witsscientistshave shapedtheworld'sunderstandingofhowtheplanet'searliestcrustformedandhowthose ancientprocessesunderpintoday'smineralwealth TheEarthObservatoryextendsthis legacy,translatingdeep-timeknowledgeintofuturesustainability
TherewasagreatturnoutofWitsiesatreunionsinDubaiandDublin Hostedbythe DirectorofAlumniRelations,PeterMaher,thegatheringswerefilledwithwarmth,energy
andplentyofexcitementasalumnireconnectedandsharedmemories Therewasalso lotsofenthusiasmforkeepingintouchthroughlocalchapters,withSandraLambert(MBA 2013)leadingtheDubaiChapterandJenaliSkuse(BA2009,MA2011)headingupthe DublinChapter
Founders'Tea
Around400guestscametogetherunder Wits'ChampionTreeontheGavinRelly Greenon7Septembertoenjoyoneofthe AlumniRelationsOffice'sfavouriteevents –Founders'Tea Guestspeakerand formerChiefJusticeRaymondZondowas clearlysoakingupthegoodenergyonthe day,“Thespiritiswonderful It'sverywarm –andit'sbecauseofthepeople,”hesaid
Therewereplentyoffamiliarfacesinthecrowd AmongtheoldestFounderswere91-yearoldSueRootenberg(BA1954,BAEd1980,MAEd1982)and99-year-oldDrJohnCallaghan (MBBCh1949),whountilrecentlywasstillworkingasanENTsurgeonatMedforum HospitalinTshwane “Itwasaprivilegetostudyatthisuniversity,”hesaid,beforesharing hissecrettoalonglife:“Keepbusy,don'tstopdoingwhatyoulove Andmakesureyou enjoyyourwork”
AustraliaHighlights
TheWitsAustraliaFoundationwrappedupabusyyearofeventsacrossPerth,Melbourne, BrisbaneandSydneywithitsSecondAnnualGalaBusinessLunch,heldon28November 2025
Atotalof160WitsAlumniandFriendsofWitscametogetherinSydneytoreconnect,grow theirnetworksandraisevitalfundsforpostgraduatebursaries Guestsweretreatedtoan engagingpaneldiscussionfeaturingWitsalumniTimNetcher,ChairofGoldRoad ResourcesLimited;DrJennyGrayAM,ChiefExecutiveofZoosVictoria;andDrMannyPohl AM,ExecutiveChairmanandChiefInvestmentOfficerofECPAssetManagement The conversation,titledFromWitstotheWorld:JourneysofLeadershipandImpactinAustralian Business,offeredinspiringinsightsintoleadershipandglobalimpact
Weextendoursincerethankstoourgeneroussponsorswhohelpedmaketheeventa success:SouthernCrossings,ECPohl&Co,SkyeGroup,AllanGray,SouthAfrican Tourism,RovosRail,SabiSabiCollectionandMoloriSafari
We'velovedwelcomingWitsiesandFriendsbacktoourbeautifulcampusthisyear-right intheheartofSouthAfrica'seconomichub Fromretracingoldfootstepstodiscovering today'sworld-classfacilitiesforlearning,teachingandresearch,it'sbeenayearof connecting,reconnectinganddiscovering Wecan'twaittowelcomeyou-comeandvisit us!
PeterBezuidenhhoudt,ProfessorCuthbert Nyamupangedengu,DrAndréFourieand ProfessorAlanClark
ProfessorsZeblonVilakaziandMucha MusemwawithYaelBenjaminandher familyattheVice-Chancellor'sAnnual Concert
Awonderfulengagementwithmembers oftheSouthAfricanBankingSector From lefttoright:PeterBezuidenhoudt,Jacques Cilliers,NomondeWhite-Ndlovu,Professor ZeblonVilakazi,ProfessorMaurice Radebe,HannahSadiki,ProfessorJason Cohen
PeterBezuidenhoudt,GregandCarol Fasen,GordonandHollyHogan,Marco andMarisaValente,andDrAhsan Mahboob
HostingtheBarrowFamily(John,CEOof BarrowConstruction,andchildrenAbner andKelly–bothWitsMedicalStudents) backoncampustoseetherestoration workontheGreatHallstepsfaçade–100 yearsaftertheirfamilycompanybuiltthe firstthreemainUniversitybuildingsin 1922–afantasticwaytocloseacircle
HarrowandNizaamKallaontheGreat HallstepswithPeterBezuidenhoudt
AubreyGoldmanandPeterBezuidenhoudt reconnectingovertheWitsGolfTeamin 1961
RoyAndersonandDerekMullerenjoying theirvisitbackoncampus
PatrickSoon-ShiongandProfessors ShabirMadhiandZeblonVilakaziforging partnershipsduringtheCOVID-19 pandemic
CharlesvanOnselenandProfessor ZeblonVilakazisharingaloveofhistory
ElectricalEngineering50thYearOut–Classof1975gatheringfromaroundthe worldtorelivetheirstudentdayson campus,anddiscoveringthewondersof theWitsoftodaywithasparkintheirstep
TheMiningQualificationsAuthority strengtheningitspartnershipwithWits
DrIsaacNapewithDrsDeborahDunsire andMichaelHall
DrAllanandGailKellywithWitsMedical Student,AshleyMogodi,attheWitsAdler MuseumofMedicine
AndyWatersandMichaelSchwarzwith theinauguralHarryandAnnetteSchwarz WitsLawScholarshiprecipients
PeterBezuidenhoudtandStewartBailey fromAngloGoldAshantivisitingtheWits MiningInstitute'sDigiMine
KresgeFoundationTrustee,Anna Blanding,andBillMoses,Managing DirectorofKresgeFoundation'sEducation Programme,visitingChancellorDrJudy Dlamini,andVice-ChancellorProf Zeblon VilakaziFRSoncampus
ProfessorSolomonAssefa,NiallMurphy, CEOandco-founderofEVRYTHNG,and PeterBezuidenhoudtinaweofthe amazingthingshappeningacrossallthe Witscampuses
TimFletcherandBrentWilliamsfromCliff DekkerHofmeyrvisitingProf Zeblon VilakaziFRSandProf GarthStevens, strengtheningpartnershipswiththe UniversityandtheWitsSchoolofLaw
NeilHellmanatthereopeningoftheWits SterkfonteinCaves
Ifyoumissedthefirsthalfoftheyear'shighlightsintheJuly2025HowzitGlobalWitsies NewsletteryoucanaccessithereorcatchuponallthelatestnewsontheWitswebsite
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