AMESSAGETOGRADUATESFROM
THECHANCELLOR
Todaywecelebrateyou–yourperseverance,your discipline,andyourachievement.Graduationisneverthe
toacknowledgethefamilies,friends,lecturers,supervisors, andprofessionalstaffwhowalkedthisjourneywithyou.Their
Toeachofthem,weofferoursinceregratitude.
Yougraduateatatimeofprofoundglobalchange.Acrosstheworld,societiesaregrappling withclimatepressures,economicuncertainty,rapidtechnologicaltransformation,and questionsofethics,inclusion,andhumandignitydemandthoughtfulleadership.Theseare complexchallengesthatrequiregraduateswhoarenotonlyskilled,butalsoprincipledand adaptable.
InSouthAfrica,theseglobalpressuresintersectwithlocalrealitiesyouknowwell.Ourcountry continuestofacehighlevelsofunemployment,especiallyamongyoungpeople,persistent inequality,andtheongoingtaskofstrengtheningpublicinstitutionsandinfrastructure.Energy security,waterresilience,andeconomicinclusionremainpressingconcerns.Yet,alongside thesechallenges,thereareclearsignsofpossibility:growinginvestmentinrenewableenergy, innovationinentrepreneurship,andrenewedfocusonskillsdevelopmentandreform.The futureofourcountryisnotpredetermined–itwillbeshapedbythechoiceswemakeand theleadershipweshow. Thatiswhereyoucomein.
AsgraduatesofthegloballyrespectedWitsUniversity,youareequippedtocontribute meaningfullytoabetterfuture.Yourrolewillbetoapplyyourknowledgewithintegrity,to solveproblemswithcreativity,andtoleadwithempathy.Whetheryoubecomeprofessionals, researchers,entrepreneurs,educators,publicservants,orcommunityleaders,your responsibilityextendsbeyondpersonalsuccess.Youarecalledtohelpbuildaneconomy thatcreatesopportunity,asocietythatvaluesdignityandjustice,andinstitutionsthatearn thetrustofthosetheyserve.
WitsUniversityhaspreparedyounotonlytoearnaliving,buttomakeadifference,in keepingwithourslogan#WitsForGood!Carryforwardthevaluesyouhavelearnedhere: criticalthinking,ethicalconduct,respectfordiversity,andcommitmenttoservice.Theroad aheadwillrequireresilienceandcourage,butitwillalsorewardthosewhoarewillingtowork, tocollaborate,andtoimaginebetterpossibilities.
Graduands,youleaveusatachallengingtime–butalsoatahopefulone.SouthAfrica needsyourskills,yourideas,andyourleadership.Theworldneedsgraduateswhoare capable,compassionate,andcourageous.
Weareproudofyou.Webelieveinyou.Andwelookforwardtothecontributionsyouwill make.
CongratulationstotheClassof2026!HALALA!
Yourssincerely,
DrJudyDlamini Chancellor
AMESSAGETOGRADUATESFROM
THEVICE-CHANCELLORANDPRINCIPAL
Congratulationsonthesuccessfulcompletionofyouracademic programmeattheUniversityoftheWitwatersrand.Todaymarks animportantmilestoneinyourpersonaljourneyandinthe continuinghistoryofthisinstitution.
Younowjoinaglobalcommunityofmorethan200,000Wits alumniwhosecontributionsspanscienceandmedicine, engineeringandthebuiltenvironment,businessandlaw,the byindividualachievement,butbysustainedimpactacross generations.
Formorethanacentury,WitshasbeenrecognisedasoneofAfrica’sleadinguniversities andagloballyrespectedcentreoflearning,research,andinnovation.Whatdistinguishes Witsisnotexcellenceinasinglediscipline,buttheconsistentproductionofgraduatesof purpose. health,miningandearthsciences,andthebasicsciences,shapingpolicy,industry,and scholarshipinSouthAfricaandbeyond.Itscontributionstopalaeoanthropologyandhuman originsresearchhavetransformedglobalunderstandingofhumanityitself,whileitsstrengths inmathematicsandphysicscontinuetodrivediscoveryatthefrontiersofknowledge.
andNeuralDiscovery(MIND)Institute,theUniversityisadvancinginterdisciplinary neuroscience,thehumanities,andpolicy,whileengagingcriticallywithitsethicaland societalimplications.Alongsidethiswork,WitscontributestoSouthAfrica’squantum scienceandtechnologyagendaasanodeoftheSouthAfricanQuantumTechnology Initiative,advancingresearchinquantumcommunication,imaging,andcomputing,and
Equally,Witshaslongbeenacentreofintellectualleadershipinthehumanitiesandsocial sciences,shapingdebatesonhistory,politics,culture,andpower,andstrengthening democraticthoughtthroughengagedscholarship.
Itisfromthisdepthandbreadthofexcellencethatglobalrecognitionhasfollowed.Wits alumniandscholarsincluderecipientsoftheworld’smostprestigioushonours,including NobelPrizelaureatesAaronKlug,SydneyBrenner,NadineGordimer,andNelsonMandela, recipientoftheShawPrizeinMathematicalSciences.
AsWitslooksahead,weencourageyoutoremainconnectedtotheUniversityandtocarry forwarditsvaluesaspartofalegacythatcontinuestoshapeSouthAfrica,thecontinent, andtheworld.
Wecongratulateyouonyourachievementandwishyoueverysuccessinthejourney ahead.
Vice-ChancellorandPrincipal WitsUniversity
GAUDEAMUS
Gaudeamusigitur Juvenesdumsumus Postjucundumjuventutem Postmolestamsenectutem Noshabebithumus.
Ubisuntquiantenos Inmundofuere? Vaditeadsuperos Transiteininferos Hossivisvidere.
Vitanostrabrevisest
Venitmorsvelociter Rapitnosatrociter Neminiparcetur.
Vivatacademia Vivantprofessores Vivatmembrumquodlibet Vivatmembraquaelibet
Vivantomnesvirgines Faciles,formosae. Vivantetmulieres Teneraeamabiles Bonaelaboriosae.
Vivantetrepublica etquiillamregit. Vivatnostracivitas, Maecenatumcaritas Quaenoshicprotegit.
Pereattristitia, Pereantosores. Pereatdiabolus, Quivisantiburschius Atqueirrisores.
Letusrejoicetherefore Whileweareyoung. Afterapleasantyouth Afteratroublesomeoldage Theearthwillhaveus.
Wherearethey Whowereintheworldbeforeus? Youmaycrossovertoheaven Youmaygotohell Ifyouwishtoseethem.
Ourlifeisbrief
Deathcomesquickly Atrociously,itsnatchesusaway. Nooneisspared.
Longlivetheacademy! Longlivetheteachers! Longliveeachmalestudent! Longliveeachfemalestudent!
Longliveallmaidens Easyandbeautiful! Longlivematurewomenalso, Tenderandloveable Andfullofgoodlabor.
LonglivetheState AndtheOnewhorulesit! LongliveourCity Andthecharityofbenefactors Whichprotectsushere!
Letsadnessperish! Lethatersperish! Letthedevilperish! Letwhoeverisagainstourschool Wholaughsatit,perish!
Nkosisikelel’iAfrika
ANTHEM
Maluphakanyisw’uphondolwayo, Yizwaimithandazoyethu, Nkosisikelela Thinalusapholwayo.
Morenabolokasetjhabasaheso, Ofedisedintwalematshwenyeho, Oseboloke,Osebolokesetjhabasaheso, Setjhabasa,SouthAfrika—SouthAfrika.
Uitdieblouvanonsehemel, Uitdiedieptevanonssee, Ooronsewigegebergtes, Waardiekranseantwoordgee,
Soundsthecalltocometogether, Andunitedweshallstand, Letusliveandstriveforfreedom InSouthAfricaourland.
TheWitsChoirhasbeenaroundsince1995.Theirrepertoireiscolourfulandvibrant.Theyperformregularlyat graduationsandimportantceremonies.TheWitsChoirhastouredinternationallyaswellasplayinghostto otherchoirshere.Theyarealsoactiveinthecommunity,undertakingchoraloutreachprogrammes.
AMESSAGETOGRADUATESFROM THEPRESIDENTOFCONVOCATION
doubtthatgraduationisoneofthem!
Today,youentertheworldasagraduatefromoneofthetop universitiesontheAfricancontinent.Youenterintoaworld
withlimitlesspossibilities.Mayyoumeetallthechallenges andopportunitiesthatawaityouwithpride,drive,passion, innovation,social-conscienceandpositive-purpose.
Inadditiontoearningthedegreeconferreduponyoutoday,youhavealsoearned therighttobeassociatedwithaspecialgroupofindividuals–theConvocationof WitsUniversity.ConvocationrepresentsallthedegreedgraduatesofWitsandforms avitallinkbetweentheUniversityandtheglobalcommunityinwhichitoperates.
members,toconveytotheUniversitymanagementyourviewsabouttheUniversity. Thismembershipcomeswithseveraluniqueprivileges,whichincludenominating theChancelloroftheUniversity.TheConvocationExecutivehastwomemberson theWitsCouncil(thegoverningbodyoftheUniversity)andmaintainsotherregular contactwiththeUniversitytoensurethevoiceoftheConvocationisrepresentedat thehighestlevelsofTheUniversity.
Thereareapproximately250000Witsalumniworldwide.Thedistinctionofouruniversity
andenhancethevalueofyourdegreebypromotingWits’image,preservingour values,andcontributingtowardsourongoingdevelopment,ensuringthatwegrowin statureasagloballycompetitive,proudlySouthAfricaninstitutionofhigherlearning. Pleaseengagewithusviaournumeroussocialmediachannelsandkeep connectedwithussoyoucanaccesscareersupport,receiveinvitationstoevents andreunionsandhavesightofallthelatestnewsaboutWitsandprominentWitsies: www.wits.ac.za/alumni/updateyourdetails/
Iwouldliketoextendawarmwelcometoyou–youarenowa#Witsie4Life!
PresidentofConvocation WitsUniversity
isastatutorybodythatincludesallgraduatesoftheUniversity.Convocationisthelargestconstituency oftheUniversity(sincethefoundingoftheUniversityin1922,graduatesnumberover200000).Itsstatutorymandate isto“…discussandstateitsopinionuponanymattersrelatingtotheUniversityincludingmattersreferredtoitbythe Council”andallowsfortheviewsofgraduatestoberepresentedatthehighestlevelsofgovernanceoftheUniversity.
THEPROCESSION
Anhom Falalala
Obanilabo?
BaphiAhhom?
Ngibonabeza Beyikazela
Bathwel‘ongiyane Bavelakuphina? Obanilabo?
Ongqondongqondo Osibakhulu
Yibolabohhom!
Yininaleyo?
Ihele
Ihelelezingwazizakithi
Ahhomudwendwe
Ahhom
Udwendwelwezingqwelezakithi
Nant’ihele
Longqondongqondo
Nant’ihele Losibakhulu
Udwendwe
UdwendweIwezingqwelezakithi
Whoarethose? Which,Falalala?
Iseethemcoming Walkingwithswinginggarments Theyarewearingheadrings Wheredotheycomefrom? Whoarethose? Theyarepeoplewithknowledge Theyarepeopleinauthority Thesearetheones
Whatisthat? Itisaprocession Aprocessionofourheroes
Itisaprocession Aprocessionofourchampions Hereisaprocession Ofpeopleofknowledge Hereisaprocession Ofpeopleofknowledge Aprocession Aprocessionofourheroes
Iheleisknownasthe‘Black’GaudeamusIgitur.Insong,thewriter,Mnomiyausesverypoeticlanguageto describeagraduationceremony.Thesoloistsingsofthe‘strange’processionofpeopleinlongrobesandhead gear.Thechoirrespondsbysayingthatthesepeopleareacademicswhoreadprofoundbooksofknowledge. Mnomiyagoesontosaythatthegraduatesareaninspirationtoallofus,andwewillalsograduatelikethemone day.Thesonggoesontowishthegraduateswellanditendswitharesounding“Halala”(welldone!).
MACE
Maceswereoriginallyweaponsofdefence,designedtobreakthrougharmour.In medievaltimes,bishopscarriedamaceinsteadofaswordintobattletoenable themtodefendthemselvesinaccordancewiththecanonicalrulethatforbadea priesttoshedblood.Intime,themacehascometoberegardedasasymbolof delegatedauthorityvestedinapersonoraninstitution.AtthisUniversity,itisasymbol oftheauthorityvestedintheChancellorandareminderofthemandategivenbythe legislatureofthiscountrytotheUniversitytograntdegrees.
TheUniversitymaceistheworkoftheEdinburghdesigner,silversmithandengraver, WilliamKirk,whodesignedandmadethemaceoftheUniversityofStirlingandofother institutions.Itissilver-andgold-plated,is1070millimetreslongand180millimetresbroad characterofthisUniversityasaninstitutionoflearning,setinaminingcentrewithinthe RepublicofSouthAfrica.
Theheadofthemacewithitsspreadingverticalbladesissymbolicofthehornsofa springbok.Thecentralverticalspikeisrepresentativeofarockdrillonthemine,and theamberstonesetintheheadisintendedasatributetoapastChancellorthrough itsassociationwithhisname,Bernstein,whichinGermanmeansamberstone.The heavyqualityoftheheadisconsistentwiththetraditionalconceptofthemaceasa weaponofdefence.Thecollarrepeatstheshapeofthehead.Itconsistsofeightcogs whichsymbolisethecog-wheelintheUniversitycoatofarmsandrepresentsmining andindustry.Theshaftisoctagonalanddividedintothreesections.Thecoatofarms oftheUniversityisplacedontheshaftunderthecollar.BelowthisthewordsUniversitas WitwatersrandensisJohannesburgi:areinscribed,followedbythedateinRoman
ThemaceisasymbolicportrayalofthisUniversity,thiscity,theWitwatersrandand theRepublicofSouthAfrica.ItisaconstantremindertomembersofCounciland Senatetoupholdatalltimestherights,powersandprivilegesoftheUniversityandits governingbodies.
DRESS
TheacademicdressofthisUniversityispatternedonthatoftheUniversitiesofOxford ofdegreesofbachelorandmaster.
•TheChancellorwearsascarletsilkgownwithabroadfacingofblackvelvetdown eachside,embroideredingoldandablackvelvetcapwithgoldcordandtassels.
•TheVice-ChancellorandPrincipalwearsabluesilkgownwithabroadfacingof goldsilkdowneachside,embroideredinblue,thesleevesbeinglinedwithgoldsilk. ThecapisofthesamedesignasthatoftheChancellor.
•TheChairmanofCouncilwearsablacksilkgownwithabroadfacingofredvelvet downeachsideandaroundtheneck,thesleevesbeinglinedwithgoldsilk.Thecap isofthesamedesignasthatoftheChancellor.
•TheacademicdressoftheDeputyVice-ChancellorsandtheExecutiveDirectorsis thesameasthatoftheVice-ChancellorandPrincipal,exceptthatthecolourofthe facingandsleevesofthegownandofthecordandtasselsofthecapissilver-grey.
•ThegownofthePresidentofConvocationisofbluesilk,withabroadfacingofgold silkdowneachside,thesleevesbeinglinedwithwhitesilk.Thecapisthesameas thatoftheChancellor,butwithabluecordandtassels.
•TheRegistrarwearsablacksilkgownwithabroadfacingofbluesilkdowneach side,borderedwithgoldbraid.ThecapisthesameasthatofthePresidentof Convocation.
•AmemberofCouncilwearsablacksilkgownwithabroadfacingofgoldsilk.The capisthesameasthatoftheChancellor.
•ThegownofthePresidentoftheStudents’RepresentativeCouncilisblackwitha broadfacingofbluesatin.
•ThegownsforalldegreesofbachelorandmasteroftheUniversityareblack,ofthe samepatternasthegownforaMasterofArtsattheUniversityofOxford.
•ThegownforthedegreeofDoctorofPhilosophyisscarlet,aftertheUniversityof Londonpattern.
•ThegownforaseniordoctorateisthesameasthatforthePhD,butwithagoldsatin facingoneachsideofthegownandwiththesleevebuttonandcordingold.
Theacademichoodistheprincipalfeatureofthecostumeforholdersofourdegrees ofbachelorandmaster.ThehoodforthePhDisstandard,regardlessoftheFacultyin whichthedegreewasobtained.Itisscarletsilk,linedwithwhitesilk.
WITS
Asa102-year-oldpublicuniversityinSouthAfrica,Witsisproudofitsrecordof
abletotackleproblemsusingevidence-basedsolutions.Wealsoengagewithour communitiestoshareknowledgethatwecreatesoastomakeapositiveimpacton thequalityoflife.WitsforGood.
Witsisaworld-classresearch-intensiveuniversitybasedonourintellectualexcellence, internationalcompetitiveness,andcommitmenttosocialjustice;allofwhichhavea measurableimpact.
Hereareafewofmanydifferentiators:
•Aninternationalperspectivethathelpsusmaintainhighstandardsin teachingandlearningandresearchwhilenotdistractingusfromourplace inJohannesburg,SouthAfrica,andAfrica.In2024Witsauthorspublished articleswithco-authorsfrom199universities,94%ofwhichwerefrom countriesotherthanSouthAfrica.
•AnintellectualhubofAfrica,afoundingmemberoftheAfricanResearch UniversityAlliance.In2024Witspublished2342articleswithco-authors inAfrica,including32articleswithNamibia,61withBotswana,87with Zimbabweand36withMozambique.
•Anactiveandengagedcommunityleaderthattakesastandonsocial issuesandisfullycommittedtotheadvancementofthepublicgood.
•Agrowingcontributiontothebodyofknowledgethroughpeerreviewed academicpublications:4563in2024andanaveragegrowthrateof4%per
•Knowledgecontributionthatisaboveglobalqualityaveragesinseveral norms);artsandhumanities(58%aboveglobalnorms);lifesciences (36%aboveglobalnorms);physicalsciences(12%aboveglobalnorms).
• particlephysicsandtheHiggsBoson,malaria,archaeology,paleontology, paleoanthropology,violence,localandregionalpolitics,geochemistry, rockmechanics,deepmining,forensicanthropology,climatechange, migration,socialjustice,andmanymore.
•ProudofthefourNobellaureatesandthe99RhodesScholars.
•Proudofourcurrent42000studentsofwhom16600(40%)areundertaking postgraduatestudiesandlearningtomaketheirownuniquecontributions totheglobalknowledgebase.
•Proudofourmorethan200000graduates.Morethan90%ofWitsgraduates obtainpermanentemploymentwithin12monthsofgraduation.
•Proudofitsabilitytoraiseexternalfundingtosupportanddriveitsresearch efforts,withcontributionsexceedingR2billionperannum.
ORDEROFPROCEDURE
20MARCH2026AT13:30
TheaudiencewillriseastheacademicprocessionentersthehallandwillremainstandinguntiltheVice-Chancellor andPrincipalisinplace
TheVice-ChancellorandPrincipalwillconstitutethecongregation
TheVice-ChancellorandPrincipalwillwelcomethegraduands,diplomatesandguests
Addresstothecongregation
Confermentofdegreesandgrantingofdiplomas
TheActingPresidentofConvocationwilladdressthegraduatesanddiplomates
TheVice-ChancellorandPrincipalwilldissolvethecongregation
TheaudiencewillstandwhileIheleisplayed
Membersoftheaudiencearerequestedtostandwhiletheacademicprocessionleavesthehallandnottoleavethe hallbeforetheendoftheceremony.
IMPORTANTNOTICE
Intheeventofload-sheddingorpowercuts,theGreatHallmaybecometotallydarkuntilthegeneratorcomesinto operation.
FACULTYOFCOMMERCE,LAWANDMANAGEMENT
DEAN:PROFESSORJCOHENBComHonsPhD(Witwatersrand)
BachelorofAccountingScienceHonours
HUANG,Yue
JACKSON,JoelKent
MAPHETO,Polite
NAGIN,Bianca
PANDAY,Kreeti
SENARATHNE,GamlathRalalageSanjikaErandini(with Distinction)
MAZIBUKO,AsandamawelaseZamanzimaBiancahSETHIBE,PearlNyatofi
MBATHA,MinenhleHamilton
MDLULI,AmandaMillicent
MOLOI,TholoanaHope
STORBECK,JoshuaLogan
VERMEULEN,JasonNicholas
ZWANE,SamukelisiweThando
BachelorofCommerce
REDDI,TiaraJade
PostgraduateDiplomainAccountancy
BAMBA,DevanteXolile
BARNARD,Keamogetswe
BENNETT,JadaMontez
BHANA,Nidhi
BHATT,Rohan
BICKMORE,Gregory
BLOCH,SamuelDean
BURRA,Kiara
CHABALALA,NtsakisoFiona
CHAGAN,Trishul
CHAITOWITZ,Dean
CHETTY,Aryan
CHIPUNGU,ChikomboreroRyan
CHIRAMBO,Keneilwe
CHIWOMADZI,YollandaNyasha
DAYA,Aarav
DEKU,Olwethu
DHANJEE,Deevak
DLADLA,ThandekaChrisentia
DLAMINI,ZamagengePenelope
DWEBA,Siyonwaba
DYASI,ThabangVuyani
FINE,DamonJoseph
GOBINGCA,IyandaLelethu
GOVENDER,JustineJordan
GOVENDER,MicaleDarshan
HAJIMARKOS,Despina
HARVEY,Brooklyn
HATLANE,GiftRhulani
HERRING,YonitBatya
HIMLOK,ReeceCameron
HLAHANE,ThabisoBenjamin
HLATSHWAYO,BonganiMercy
HLATSHWAYO,SinenhlanhlaHappiness
HLONGWA,Sbonelo
JEWAN,Damini
JILI,AmahleCebileNontobeko
KALIL,RonanAnthony
KARAM,ChristenMarian
KHOZA,RebeccaKundai
KHOZA,XongileVenesa
KISHUNA,Kashmier
KLAFF,Ben
KUTUMELA,MoraleJnr
LAKHA,Needash
LEDWABA,LehlogonoloEmily
LOPES,RicardoDanielDaSilva
LUKHELE,LindaniRonaldo
MABENA,AaishaSbongile
MABUDE,Babalo
MABUNDA,Amukelani
MABUNDA,MasechabaFlorence
MAEMA,DebbieMmabatho
MAEPA,NeoMabokeComfort
MAFUBA,PrizelleMildred
MAGUBANE,NondumisoHappyfine
MAGUBANE,Zenande
MAGWEVANA,Khanyisile
MAHARAJ,Sonali
MAHLABA,BusisiweZaneleKamohelo
MAHLANGU,SibusisoLehlohonolo
MAHLANGU,ThandazileHope
MAHLATJI,MercyMashianyane
MAKATWANE,LalumbiCherrel
MAKGOPA,TlotloNeoChantell
MAKHOSI,Lungisa(withDistinction)
MALAHLELA,OscarKoketso
MAMBA,MthobisiFrance
MANCHIDI,BohlaleLeratoMasenoke
MANICKUM,Shayelle
MAOTA,MadiboloPaballo
MAPAMELA,Hlengiwe
MAPHANGA,NozibusisoNompumelelo
MAPHANGA,ThandoEmmeline
MASHABANE,AmandaEmma
MATEREKE,RumbidzaiIsheanesu
MATHEBULA,SiyabongaSinethemba
MATHIBELA,NtokozoNompiloHlophani
MATHODE,Nndwambi
MATLOU,Koketso
MAWILA,NsovoFanisa
MAYISELA,SanelisiweNtando
MBELE,Mbali
MDA,Litha
MDALA,LatifahKhalid
MDUDI,Thandokazi
MEKWA,MakgareetjaOtshepeng
MHLANGA,Wanele
MHLUNGU,ThubalakheLuthandoKhayalethu
MKABELA,NsiyeloEnest
MKHIZE,ZibusisoSebanele
MLILO,NozitheloQueen
MMAKANYANE,NgwanamagokongCaroline
MOGOIWA,DitherisanoLebone
MOHALE,NalediSylvia
MOKOKA,KelebogileDaphne
MOLEFI,LemohangMpho-Entle
MONARENG,KaraboMavis
MONONELA,ModjadjiLebogang
MORAIS,Nilton
MORAKA,MphoMaotoGift
MPANGANE,LimphoWandile
MSANE,AndiswaMlandowami
MSOMI,BulelwaZibuyileNwabisa
MTHETHWA,Nombuso
MTHOMBENI,MveloZamancwane
MYENI,PhilangezwiEmmanuel
MZILENI,NkosivileGcinile
NAIDOO,Marisa
NAKKOODA,Mustafa
NDLOVU,Genius
NDLOVU,Kashma
NDLOVU,SeanSbusiso
NEWSON,KatelynT-Anne
NGCETE,Liyema
NGWENYA,Mduduzi
NHLAPO,NeoMpenduloJunior
NJOKO,NtokozoSandile
NKOSI,Mbali
NKOSI,NokwandaSuccess
NKUNA,WisemanMbuyelo
NKWANA,Mpho
NTSHALINTSHALI,SithabileLungelo
NTSONDWA,Sinazo
PEARSON,JoshuaIan
PETE,Makoena
PHAKATHI,MamolebohengPatricia
PHOSHOKO,Tshepo
PILLAY,Chloe
POCKBAAS,StaceyDeyonce
RAMA,Binal
RANI,Mbali
RAPHIRI,ReabetsweNhlamulo
RASEHLO,LehlogonoloNthaiElia
SABELO,NontokozoAmandla
SANDLER,JacobGreg
SELAULI,NyikoCyril
SELOTOLE,Thapelo
SEPURU,MakoenaStella(withDistinction)
SHABANGU,Bongani
SHALE,ThabisoSithembisoSifiso
SIBEKO,GabulaKalapashi
SIBIYA,SilindileAsanda
SIKITI,AndaMbaliHlalanathi
SILAS,Bohlale
SINGH,Raeden
SKOSANA,SiphesihleKnowledgeNokukhanya
SMITH,JaydenDaniel(withDistinction)
SOMHLAHLO,LihleKhanyaJunior
TAUNYANE,LesediAngy
THWANE,NthabisengChantelle
TOPHAM,ChloëAmber
TSHABALALA,Samukelo
TSHABALALA,Zanele
TSOTETSI,LebohangHope
VOGES,NicolaJane
WIID,Dawné
WU,Kuo-Chen
XIMBA,SonwabisoBoniswa
YANXA,Lihlomile
ZHANG,Tianyu
ZWANE,Wenzile
PostgraduateDiplomainBusinessAdministration
MANKWE,FetanangGranny
MASOGA,TebogoNoah
PostgraduateDiplomainLaw
CHOKHOTHO,FaithRuth CommercialandBusinessLaw
CHUNILAL,Nandini CorporateLaw
DUBE,Dumile LabourLaw
GOVENDER,TertiaLynel HumanRightsAdvocacyandLitigation
KHALI,MhlonishwaPhakeme LabourDisputeResolutionPractice
KHUMALO,TumeloGomotsang CorporateLaw
LEKOLOANE,LebogangAlbertina
MODZUKA,TshegofatsoKegomoditswePaleso
CommercialandBusinessLaw
CommercialandBusinessLaw
MOKGOHLWA,PitsiSemaneKwadi(with Distinction) EnvironmentalLaw
NDEBELE,AsherAyanda(withDistinction)
CommercialandBusinessLaw
NONQANE,Ongeziwe CorporateLaw
SALOJEE,Mahmood InternationalLaw
SEPEREPERE,MorakaneMakhumane
SHABANGU,PotlakoGrace
SIBEKO,Sibongile
InformationandCommunicationsLaw
CommercialandBusinessLaw
HumanRightsAdvocacyandLitigation
SIKUNYANA,BongisisaLenge CorporateLaw
TSEKI,Matshidiso
CommercialandBusinessLaw
TSHIPA,KitsoHilgert CorporateLaw
TSOANE,Tebogo
TSOTETSI,LebohangNeil
PostgraduateDiplomainPublicManagement
HumanRightsAdvocacyandLitigation
CommercialandBusinessLaw
MABASA,MmathabisoElizabethLeah PublicManagement
PostgraduateDiplomainSpecialisedAccountancy
BALTSOUCOS,Danielle
CHIRINDO,TsungaiMildred
DLULA,EmihleAngela
HASSAN,Naseeha
HLATSHWAYO,NhlakaniphoNkululeko
KIPAYKO,Alex-ArmelMonse
KWAKWA,PaballoBianca
LEBAKENG,TshepangAzriel
LEKHETHOA,Lehakoe
LUVHENGO,Ntakadzeni
MAKOLOANE,TsaboIshmael(withDistinction)
MALEPE,KeabetsweNkgoaile
MATHABATHA,MolemoMoagi
MHLAMBI,ThembisileNomlando
MNYAZI,Khanya
MODISE,EstherJacoline
MOFOKENG,Mpho
MOJAPELO,LeratoGoodness
MOODLEY,Kahali
MOSADI,Masego
MPHANYA,Bonolo
MUSODZA,Hazvinei
PHOLO,MillicentKeakantse
PILLAY,Kenash
TSHABALALA,MolefiPapi
OFFICERSOFTHEUNIVERSITY
Chancellor
DRNJDLAMINIMBChB(Natal)DOH(FreeState)MBA(Witwatersrand)DBL(Unisa)PGCE(Witwatersrand)IEC (Stanford-USA)
Vice-ChancellorandPrincipal
PROFESSORZVILAKAZIBSc(Manchester)MScPhD(Witwatersrand)FRS,FAAS,MASSAf
ChairmanofCouncil
MRTNOMBEMBEBCom(UNITRA)BComptHons(UNISA)CASA
SeniorDeputyVice-Chancellor(Academic)
PROFESSORROSMANBA(Witwatersrand)HDipEdBEd(Unisa)MEdPhD(Witwatersrand)MASSAf
DeputyVice-Chancellor(ResearchandInnovation)
PROFESSORLMORRISBSc(Hons)(Witwatersrand)DPhil(Oxford)FRSSAFAASMASSAf
DeputyVice-Chancellor(SystemsandOperations)
PROFESSORIRJANDRELLBSc(Eng)GDEPhD(Witwatersrand)IntPE(SA)PrEngFSAAEFSAIEESMIEEE
DeputyVice-Chancellor(PeopleDevelopmentandCulture)
PROFESSORGSTEVENSBA(CapeTown)BA(Hons)PsychMPsych(WesternCape)DLittetPhil(UNISA), MASSAf
Registrar
MSCGCROSLEYBAHDipEd(Witwatersrand)BEdHons(Unisa)MEd(Witwatersrand)
ChiefFinancialOfficer
MSMMMANYAMACA(SA)BComAccounting(CapeTown)BComptHons(Unisa)BComHonsTaxation(Pretoria) MBA(GIBS)
DeanofStudentAffairs
MRJAPSEPTEMBERBAMPhil(CapeTown)
DEANSOFTHEFACULTIES
FacultyofCommerce,LawandManagement
PROFESSORJCOHENBComHonsPhD(Witwatersrand)
(Acting)FacultyofEngineeringandtheBuiltEnvironment
PROFESSORCMUSINGWINIBSc(Hons)(Eng)(UZ)MSc(Eng)(Wits)PhD(Wits)PrEngFSAIMM
FacultyofHealthSciences
PROFESSORSAMADHIMBBChMMedPhD(Witwatersrand)FCPaeds(SA)MASSAfRSSAfTWASCBE
FacultyofHumanities
PROFESSORMMUSEMWABAHons(Zimbabwe)MA(CapeTown)PhD(Minnesota,USA)MASSAf
FacultyofScience
PROFESSORNCHETTYBScHons(Natal)MSPhD(U.IllinoisUrbana-Champaign)MASSAfMSAIPMRSSA
PresidentofConvocation
MSKMUFAMADIBALLBLLM(Witwatersrand)
FACULTYOFCOMMERCE,LAWANDMANAGEMENT
SituatedintheheartofthemostpowerfuleconomichubontheAfricancontinent,drawingonthebestacademictalent intheregion,andconnectedtothemostinfluentialsocialagentsinthecountry,theFacultyofCommerce,Lawand Managementoffersanexcitingandcontemporarysetofstudyprogrammesthatgrapplewiththeeconomicandsocial challengesofourcountry,andtheeconomiesacrosstheglobe.TheFacultyoffersauniqueopportunitytospecialisein thetechnicalskillsthataredrivingandshapingbusinesswithinmoderneconomiesandtostudythesocial,legaland economicconsequencesofeconomicdevelopmentandgrowth.
TheFacultyconsistsofsixSchools:
TheMargoSteeleSchoolofAccountancy, TheSchoolofBusinessSciences, TheSchoolofEconomicsandFinance, TheSchoolofLaw, TheGraduateSchoolofBusinessAdministration(WitsBusinessSchool),and TheWitsSchoolofGovernance
TheFacultyoffersthreeundergraduateprogrammesinCommerce:
1.athree-yearBachelorofCommerce(B.Com),
2.athree-yearBachelorofAccountingScience(B.AccSc),and 3.athree-yearBachelorofEconomicScience(B.EconSc).
ThreeundergraduateprogrammesareofferedinLaw:
1.afour-yearLLBprogrammeasafirstdegreeforstudentswishingtostudylaw 2.athree-yearLLBprogrammeforstudentswhoholdanypriordegreebutwhohavenotcompletedanylaw subjects,and 3.atwo-yearLLBprogrammeforstudentswhoholdanypriordegreewhohavelawasamajorsubject.
AtthepostgraduateleveltheFacultyoffersafullspectrumofhonoursdegrees,postgraduatediplomas,Masters degreesandPh.DprogrammesacrossitssixSchools.TheFacultyoffersexcitingopportunitiesforMBAandrelated qualificationsintheWitsBusinessSchool-themostresearch-productivebusinessschoolinSouthAfrica-andpublic managementanddevelopmentdegreesofferedbytheWitsSchoolofGovernance-theleadingSouthAfricancentre forpublicservicepostgraduatetraining.InadditiontoDoctoraldegrees,MastersdegreesandPostgraduateDiplomas areofferedinCommerce,Accountancy,Economics,BusinessScience,AppliedDevelopmentEconomicsandPolicy, Law,andManagement.Weareconstantlyinnovatingwithnewprogrammesandcurriculumandhavelauncheda numberoffullyonlinepostgraduatediplomaprogrammesinfinance,businessadministration,andpublicmanagement, alongwithspecialistprogrammesinaccountancy,energyleadership,andhealthcareleadership,amongothers.
OurWitsLawClinicisoneoftheoldestandlargestofitskind,offeringfreelegalservicestothecommunitywhile servingasanimportantplatformfortraining.Wearealsodrivingentrepreneurshipthroughourspecialistoutreach units,WitsEntrepreneurshipClinicandCentreforEntrepreneurship.Wehavevibrantinternationalpartnershipswith topinternationaluniversitiesandthroughwhichweofferjoint-degreeandstudentexchangeprogrammes.TheFaculty alsohasanextensiveofferingofshortcoursesandmaintainsspecialistunitsforexecutiveeducationprogrammes, includingglobalexecutiveleadershipprogrammes.
OurFacultyhasconsistentlyproducedamongthebestresultsinthefinalBoardexaminationoftheSouthAfrican InstituteofCharteredAccountants(SAICA),oureconomicsstudentsareregularwinnersoftheNedbank&OldMutual BudgetSpeechcompetition,ourlawgraduatesaresoughtafterbythetoplegalfirmsandoureconomicsandbusiness sciencesgraduatesareleadersincorporatemanagement,policymaking,governanceandregulatoryinstitutionsin SouthAfrica.
Ourresearchersareatthecuttingedgeofglobalresearchon,amongothers,bankingandfinance,social entrepreneurship,thelabourmarket,macroeconomics,inequality,humanrightslaw,commerciallaw,constitutionallaw, informationsystems,governance,publicfinanceandhealtheconomics. socialissuessuchasclimatechange,digitaltransformation,inequalityandeconomicgrowth,governanceand democracy,anddeliveryofhealthcare.Weplaceparticularimportanceondoingresearchthatimpactsoursociety,and ourstaffandpostgraduatestudentsareregularlyengagingissuesthataffectsnotjustSouthAfricabutcountriesaround theworld.Ouracademicsareregularcommentatorsinboththeprintandtelevisionmediaoncurrentaffairs,suchas changestolabourlegislation,thenationalbudget,andonenergysecurityandtransitions.
TheFacultyishometotheSouthernCentreforInequalityStudies(SCIS),ourSchoolofLawholdstheClaudeLeon FoundationChairinEarthJusticeandStewardshipandtheNRFSARChIChaironEquality,LawandSocialJustice,the WitsBusinessSchoolhousestheAfricanEnergyLeadershipCentre,andtheWitsSchoolofGovernanceisdoingwork onjusttransitions,adaptationandclimategovernanceaswellasgovernanceofstate-ownedentities.Wecontributeto digitaltransformationthroughourFintechHubintheSchoolofEconomicsandFinanceandourWBSChairinDigital Business,amongothers.
TheFacultyhasovertheyearsputinplaceanumberofprogrammesandresourcestosupportthesuccessofstudents intheirlearningjourney.Ouraward-winningRoadtoSuccessProgramme(RSP)istargetedatundergraduatestudents andincludesapeer-to-peerprogrammeandearlyinterventionwhichhavehelpedimproveourthroughputrate.For postgraduatestudents,ourTeachingandLearningUnitoffersbespokeprogrammetodevelopwritingandmethodology skills,withbothaquantitativeandaqualitativeresearchadvisorworkingwithstudentstodeveloptheirthesis.In supportofourblendedlearningstrategy,alongwithourfullyonlineprogrammes,wehaveaunitthatfocuseson integratingtechnology,includingAI,intotheteachingandlearningprocess.
Ourstudentsgraduatewithconfidenceandoftenatthetopofthenationalclass.Ourstudentbecomesuccessfulin whateverpaththeyembarkonaftertheirtimeatWitsbecomingleaderswithacommitmenttosocialimpactanddoing good.
IllustriousAlumni
Well-knownWitsCommerce,LawandManagementgraduatesincludeIsmailMahomed,thefirstChiefJusticein post-apartheidSouthAfrica;ArthurChaskalson,formerChiefJusticeofSouthAfrica;ThuliMadonsela,formerPublic ProtectorofSouthAfrica;GeorgeBizos,HumanRightsAdvocate;JoelJoffe,attorneyforNelsonMandelaandthe othersatRivoniaTreasontrial;SirSydneyKentridge,leadingadvocateintheTreasontrialandmanyotherprominent trialsinSouthAfricaandtheUK;MargaretMarshall,formerChiefJusticeoftheMassachusettsSupremeCourt;Donald Gordon,founderofLibertyLifein1958andafterwhomtheDonaldGordonMedicalCentreisnamed;BrianJoffe, founderoftheBidvestGroup;PatriceMotsepe,SouthAfricanminingmagnate;KoosBekker,ChairmanofNaspers; GailKelly,AustralianandSouthAfricanbusinesswoman;JudyDlamini,ChancellorofWitsUniversity;IvanGlasenberg, formerCEOofGlencore;MaryVilakazi,CEOofFirstRand;RobbieBrozin,founderofNandos;RodneySacksand HiltonSchlosbergofMonsterBeverages;StevenCollis,pastCEOofCencora;VictorSekeseCEOofSNGGrant Thornton;MervynKing,ChairoftheKingCommitteeonCorporateGovernance;andMariaRamos,SouthAfrican economist,businesswomanandformerCEOoftheABSAgroup
EmergencyandFirePlansduringGraduations
1.Intheeventofanemergencyand/orfire:
Thepresidingofficial(Chancellor/Vice-Chancellor/DeputyVice-Chancellor)willmakeanannouncement requestingguests,graduandsandstafftokeepcalmandremainseated; TheUsherswillassistgueststoproceedtothenearestEmergencyexitsinordertoevacuatetheGreatHall inanorderlyfashion; Emergencyexitsignsarevisibleinredaboveallexitdoorssituatedonyourleftandrighthandsidesaswell asthebackoftheHall;
TheUsherswillassisttheelderlyanddisabledguestsoutofthebuilding; Theacademicprocessiononstagemustexitthroughthebackstagedoor; OnceoutsidetheGreatHallallguests,graduandsandstaffmustproceedtothemainassemblypointonthe piazza.
2.IntheeventofaBombthreat
Allbombthreatswillbetreatedasrealinordertoprotectlivesandpropertyandthepremiseswillbeevacuated immediately.
