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
26MARCH2026AT13:30
TheaudiencewillriseastheacademicprocessionentersthehallandwillremainstandinguntiltheVice-Chancellor andPrincipalisinplace
TheVice-ChancellorandPrincipalwillconstitutethecongregation
TheVice-ChancellorandPrincipalwillwelcomethegraduandsandguests
Addresstothecongregation
Confermentofdegrees
TheActingPresidentofConvocationwilladdressthegraduates
TheVice-ChancellorandPrincipalwilldissolvethecongregation
TheaudiencewillstandwhileIheleisplayed
Membersoftheaudiencearerequestedtostandwhiletheacademicprocessionleavesthehallandnottoleavethe hallbeforetheendoftheceremony.
IMPORTANTNOTICE
Intheeventofload-sheddingorpowercuts,theGreatHallmaybecometotallydarkuntilthegeneratorcomesinto operation.
FACULTYOFENGINEERINGANDTHEBUILTENVIRONMENT
ACTINGDEAN:PROFESSORCMUSINGWINIBSc(Hons)(Eng)(UZ)MSc(Eng)(Wits)PhD(Wits)PrEngFSAIMM
BachelorofScienceinEngineering-AeronauticalEngineering
GOVENDER,Reece
HIDE,SabastianPhillip
HLONGWANE,MunangiwaMartin
KHLIL,YaseenMohamedAbdulmo'z
MOKAU,Obakeng
MOTALA,Daleel
MUZIKA,Ashley
NHLAPO,Mbuyiseni
NKABINDE,SandiswaNdabenhle
NYAKERI,NanaAtieno
ODEDINA,FeyitunmiseInioluwa(withDistinction)
PILLAY,WendellWayne
REDDY,Aaron
SITHOLE,Kashaka
BachelorofScienceinEngineering-ChemicalEngineering
ALAM,Alif
BOURTSOUKLIS,Constantinos
CASASOLA,GiovanniPaolo(withDistinction)
CHETTY,KerrynJade
CHONGO,Jordan
CUMBANE,Gessica
DHLAMINI,SifisoInnocent
DOCKRAT,Aisha
GAMA,NkosingiphileSamkelisiwe
GUBUDELA,Zukani
HLALELE,TshepisoNnuku
HLATSHWAYO,ThandoKyndra
JIKWANA,Mandilakhe
KGOPONG,LedileNnana
KHUMALO,Nokwethemba
KRIEK,GeniqueChloé
LALA,Rikhil(withDistinction)
LETSIE,Kefiloe
MABE,LebohangVanessa
MADLALA,NamhlaSmilile
MAKAU,KatlehoJeanette
MAKHUBELA,LangutaniMishel
MALEKA,Bafedile
MALEKANYO,Reotshepile
MANGANYI,HleketaniCarl
MASHADZHA,MukonazwotheGift
MOLEFE,BasetsanaMapuso
MOLEME,Gobusamang
MOYO,Sizolwenkosi
MPETI,ColetteStella
MUHAU,Tinotenda(withDistinction)
MUNIAN,Kalin
MUTHEIWANA,NdivhoAaron
MUTIMUNYE,Christine
NDWALANE,NolwaziCleopatra
NGCONGO,MongeziSekelo
NGOBESE,Nokwanda
NGWENYA,Zee-JayCamile
NHLAPHO,NdumisoLemen
NKOSI,FezileSifiso
NXALA,PamelaZethu
PANDARAM,JordanRose
PETRENKO,AntonVictor
PHALADI,TlhologeloLehlogonolo
QAMBI,Nkosoxolo
RAMAHUMA,KekeletsoCindy
RAMKISON,Yashna
SEBAKE,SeipatiPhomelelo
SEGOOA,RamokoneWalter
SESHIBEDI,DimakatsoNgoako
SHONGWE,SenamileNelisiwe
SIMELANE,NokuthulaSilondiwe
SINGH,Nishka
SUKAZI,BonganiEmmanuel
TAU,PatlakaShaun
THOMAS,CaitlynLeigh
TSHABALALA,ThembaChristopher
VANDERWESTHUIZEN,TessahEngela
VANSTADEN,Kayleigh(withDistinction)
WILLIAMS,SydneyAlexandra
ZIMMERMAN,AdamReuvein(withDistinction)
BachelorofScienceinEngineering-CivilEngineering
BEZUIDENHOUT,ZoeLeigh
BRITS,JaniceLynette
CHABALALA,Ndzalama
DIMO,Khutjo
DITIBANE,OleratoMothusi
DUMA,Kwanele
GAINER,GabrielleLozignia
GWARUBANA,Lutho
HEIN,TheodoreSebastian
IROKA,ChiemekaVincent
JOHNSON,ThabisoElezar
KHARIVHE,Vusani
KOOPMAN,Scott-MarlonSiphiwo
LEHLOAEA,BohlokoaCarol
MABELANE,CalvinMangwengwe
MAHLANI,FunghoClear
MAIMELA,SamuelIkoketseng
MAKADZANGE,KevinTadiwanashe
MALULEKE,VutiviEugene
MANGQISHI,EmihleAsonele
MAPHANGA,IsraelBlessing
MASALESA,TefoCollen
MASHIANE,Kutlwano
MASUKU,LuthandoSiphesihle
MATIMATJATJI,NtlhekengNaphtally
MATSIETSA,Neo
MAVUMENGWANA,BukhoBanquet
MBAMBO,LebohangEunice
MBIYAKE,Akhanani
MENIERS,DishunRachel
MHLANGA,Jabu
MOABELO,MotsiriEliphas
MOIMA,KagisoFrans
MOKWATLO,KhomotsoJocelyn
MOLABE,DikgethoMogorisane
MOLETE,MohapiTiisesto
MOLUPE,KoetlaAdolph
MONNYA,Evidence
MPHOKA,KananeloPaul
MSIYA,Yonela
MTHIMKHULU,KaraboClement
MUREMI,MukhethwaMelton
MURGATROYD,NikkiGladys
NGUBO,NolwaziLerato
NKUZANA,NtsakoFrank
NOBETSIKI,Asiphe
NTLATLENG,SashaManakedi
NYATHI,BoitumeloKibaabetswe
PADAYACHEE,TiashaMinnie
RADEBE,DecemberMzilaMcEbo
SCHUBERT,ReidTrevor
SIPAMLA,BabalwaKumbuza
SOMTUNZI,Gugu
THABETHE,KaraboThokozile
THAVHANYEDZA,Tshifhiwa
TSHAO,KatlegoMpelangBridgette
TSHIKOSI,Navhani
XABA,NathaliaTshegetso
BachelorofScienceinEngineering-IndustrialEngineering
BHENGU,Sbahle
GETHE,Thabelo
GRISPAN,Monica
LENEPA,MbalenhleThabile
MABASO,NkatekoAmanda
MAISTRY,PriyaDevi
MASHISHI,Itumeleng
MBEDZI,NhloniphoAdvocate
MCHUNU,Thandeka
MLABA,DuduzileNondumiso
MOODLEY,Nikyle
MTHEMBU,ThokozaniEmmanuel
MUNYADZIWA,TsireledzoGiven
MZIMBA,HitekaniPetunia
NHLENGETHWA,Ofentse
RANCHOD,Akshay
RANDEREE,Aaliyah
SELEKA,OmolemoFaith
SENYOLO,TotodiPhalo
SEZELA,Yolanda
SIBANDA,NkosilomusaChristopher
THUSI,MthandeniFreedom
TSEBE,MammaPrudance
TSIBIYANA,SiphosethuProsper
ZAMBUKERE,MusaBrian
BachelorofScienceinEngineering-MechanicalEngineering
ALEXANDER,TamzynZoe
BANDA,SuwilanjiMark
BANDA,Willbes
CHAKI,RivalaniCubic
DEVANDRAN,Gajan
DIRMEIK,GavrielShlomo(withDistinction)
DLAMINI,PhilaniS'bongumenzi
EDELING,Runé
FLAUM,DanielGabriel
FRANCIS,Saeed
MANJRA,Mohamed
MASHAKO,GlenMahudu
MATEVULA,KealebogaBridgette
MATHENJWA,Thabiso
MKHATSHWA,SilindileLucia
MOLEPO,MoabeloMighty
MOOLA,UmarYusuf
MOOSA,AhmedEbrahim
MTSHALI,DumisaniCharles
MUSHATHONI,PhinduloLeonard
GRAÇA,DeanCharlesElrick(withDistinction)NDINISA,Afika
JACOBSON,Moshe
KHAN,Rumaanah
MABASA,NkatekoBlessing
MADZWUHE,Vhukhudo
NGIDI,NhlakaniphoMpendulenhle
NYAMANE,GiftDaniel
RALETING,RomeoJapie
ROSEN,AkivaAvraham
SABADIA,Afshan
SCOTT,NicolaKay
SHABANGU,ThabangMasande
SIKHAKHANE,LethukuthulaZiphozonke
STRYDOM,AntonWilliam
TSHESA,KhothatsoLucky
TSHIKOSI,OmpilelaRonald
TSHIRUMA,Thifhelimbilu
VANDERMERWE,EmmaJane
WILKINS,JamesLiam
BachelorofScienceinEngineering-MetallurgyandMaterialsEngineering
MABELANE,PleasureMotalanyana
MABITSELA,MatselaJeffrey
MADONSELA,VusumuziEphraim
MAFOLO,KamogeloJoseph
MAKEKE,TshepoNokwana
MAPHAKE,Kabelo
MONGWE,Hluli
MOSESE,IsagoPhethisang
MULEYA,VincentBalanganani
MXATHULE,Nonyameko
NYAMA,LekauMolepje
SEGOSAPELO,RefiloePrecious
SEKGATA,PhilisileKgothatso
THOBELA,HopewellSiphesihle
BachelorofScienceinEngineering-MiningEngineering
BALOI,RefilweJerinah
BALUWA,Siyabonga
BUTHELEZI,KaraboPrudence
CHAUKE,FikileEulalar
DUBE,ChikomboreroMusharo
HLONGWANE,TlangelaniTracey
HLUNGWANI,TivaniBert
HOLIWE,Avuyile
HOVU,ThembakaziThandiswa
JACOBS,LevaleKyle
JELE,SifisoSaun
LESUFI,Fanie
LETSEKA,Reputsitswe
MAHLAULE,NdzaloMarco
MAMABOLO,TeteloMokgadi
MANKGE,KutloanoJames
MANYAKA,LeratoCharmaine
MAPHOTHOMA,TidimaloGerome
MATSWIKI,NhloniJan
MBATHA,Thembeka
MBEVERI,DanielTakunda
MHLONGO,KwazikwenkosiPerfect
MONTI,Thenjiswa
MORETI,Kealeboga
MOSIANE,RefilweTsholanang
MPEMNYAMA,Linge
MPHOGO,TeteloSilvem
MTHEMBU,ThaboTryford
MTHULI,Aphiwe
MULAUDZI,Wamashudu
MVUMO,LethukuthulaMakabongwe
NCAMISANA,Musa
NCHUPETSANG,Matshidiso
NDLOVU,Ntando
NGCIZELA,Kubobonke
NGOBENI,Prosperity
NKOSI,CambridgeSizweLinda
NKOSI,Gugu
NKOSI,KamogeloOliver
NTESO,RefiloeConrad
NTOMBELA,NjabuloNelson
NTSABATSE,NeoEphraim
PHOFU,Lloyd
PURAZI,PatienceTariro
RAMALWA,TodaniSharon
RAMATSITSI,PhumudzoProvider
RATHAHA,MasiloMalcom
THABETHE,VangileLesegoNomcebo
TSEBISO,RethabileReatile
VILJOEN,CarlDaniel
BachelorofEngineeringScienceinBiomedicalEngineering
CALDWELL,JessicaGwen
COHEN,NathanDavid(withDistinction)
DEIB,JenniferRose
FENN,StarrionJohnPhipps(withDistinction)
GOTTLIEB,Teegan
KGASOANE,OmolemoBoipelo
LAWRENCE,NinaEllen
LOIZOS,Melina
MHLONGO,LondekaZamanjomane
MITCHELL,RossDavid(withDistinction)
MUDAU,MphoRofhiwa(withDistinction)
NAIDOO,AryaCathlene
NAIDOO,Tara-Leigh
NUNAN,RobynnKelly
SEDUPANE,AkofangNelly
SEOPA,LedileMacdonald
SWART,LucasConstantine
VANWYK,Marno
DUPLOOY,SimonFrederique DigitalArts
GOVINDER,Shivolon DigitalArts
HON,GabriellaAlexa DigitalArts
JADWAT,Suhail DigitalArts
KHOZA,KulaniTommy DigitalArts
LIPSHITZ,Yoav DigitalArts
MABUZA,MphenduloGift DigitalArts
OUDMAYER,Ariel DigitalArts
PILLAY,MikishaAryanna DigitalArts
RAFFEE,Ali DigitalArts
RANGASAMY,Tanay DigitalArts
SCHRODER,JesseLuke DigitalArts
VOS,Dayna DigitalArts
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)
FACULTYOFENGINEERINGANDTHEBUILTENVIRONMENT
EngineeringandtheBuiltEnvironmentunderpinalmosteveryfacetofourlivelihoods.Theyresideatthecoreof humanadvancement.WithoutEngineeringandtheBuiltEnvironmentprofessionals,lifewouldbeimmensely challengingatbest,andvirtuallyimpossibleatworst.Forexample,ourroads,bridges,buildings,cities,cars, aeroplanes,fuels,energy,financialsystems,media,virtualreality(VR)andaugmentedreality(AR), communicationssystems,andmedicaldeviceswouldnotbepossiblewithouttheseprofessionals.
OurVision
Toproduce21stCenturyGlobalLeadersofLocalSignificanceinthespaceofEngineeringandtheBuilt Environment.
TheUniversitypridesitselfonproducinggloballeadersinthespaceofEngineeringandtheBuiltEnvironment.Our graduatesreflectthecountry'sdiversityintermsofrace,class,ethnicity,sexualorientationandgender.AtWitswe focusongraduatingyoungpeoplewhohavethecriticalandanalyticalskillsrequiredtocontributetodeveloping SouthAfrica'seconomy,butalsohavethepracticalknow-howandleadershipqualitiestomakethemequivalentto thebestintheworld,andcapableofattainingleadershippositionsanywheretheychoose.
OurValues
TheFacultyofEngineeringandtheBuiltEnvironmentisguidedbyfourcorevaluesthatshapeeverythingwedo:
People-Weplaceourstudents,staff,andcommunitiesattheheartofallourendeavours,fosteringanenvironment whereeveryindividualcanthriveandcontributemeaningfullytosociety.
Excellence-Wemaintainthehigheststandardsinteaching,learning,research,andprofessionalpractice, continuouslystrivingtoexceedexpectationsanddeliverworld-classoutcomes.
Innovation-Weembracecreativityandforward-thinkingapproachestosolvecomplexchallenges,encouraging breakthroughthinkingthatpushestheboundariesofwhatispossibleinengineeringandthebuiltenvironment.
Impact-Wearecommittedtomakingameaningfuldifferenceinourcommunities,ournation,andtheworld throughoureducationalprogrammes,researchinitiatives,andprofessionalcontributions.
StrategicObjectives
Ourfacultyoperateswithclearstrategicdirectionthroughfourkeyobjectivesthatdefineourpathforward:
1.Diversity,EquityandInclusion
Wearecommittedtocreatinganinclusiveenvironmentthatcelebratesdiversityandensuresequitable opportunitiesforall.Thisobjectivedrivesoureffortstobuildafacultycommunitythatreflectstherichdiversityofour societywhileprovidingequalaccesstoexcellenceineducationandresearchopportunities.
2.TransformationoftheUndergraduateCurriculum
Wecontinuouslyevolveoureducationalofferingstomeetthedemandsofarapidlychangingworld.Asignificant milestoneinthistransformationhasbeentheinclusionofdata-drivendecision-makingforengineersandbuilt environmentprofessionalsinourundergraduatecurriculumfrom2024.Thisensuresourgraduatesareequipped withessentialanalyticalcapabilitiestothriveinanincreasinglydata-centricprofessionallandscape.
3.ImprovingResearchandInnovationImpact
Ourresearchendeavoursextendbeyondacademicexcellencetocreatetangiblebenefitsforthesocietyand communitiesweserve.Wefocusonconductingresearchthataddressesreal-worldchallengesandgenerates solutionsthatimprovelives,strengthencommunities,andcontributetosustainabledevelopment.
4.DigitalizationofAdministration
Weleveragedigitaltechnologiestostreamlineallouradministrativeprocesses,creatingefficienciesthatallowour staffandstudentstofocusonwhatmattersmost-excellentteaching,learning,andresearch.Thismodernizationof ouradministrativesystemsensuresweoperatewiththeagilityandresponsivenessthatourstakeholdersdeserve.
DevelopmentofScarceSkills
ThegenerationofEngineeringandtheBuiltEnvironmentgraduatesinSouthAfricamustallowustorespondtothe challengesposedbytheNationalDevelopmentPlanandtheurgentneedtorenewtheeconomy.Currently,South Africahasoneengineerforevery3,200people,whichismeagrewhencomparedtocountrieslikeBrazil,Indiaand China,thatboastoneengineerforevery200peopleonaverage.Simplyput,SouthAfricaoughttoproduceatleast tentimesmoreengineerstocomparewithourcounterpartsintheBRICScommunity.
Avastlyexpandedlocaldevelopmentofhigh-endtechnicalanddesignskillsisthereforeanationalimperative.The WitsFacultyofEngineeringandtheBuiltEnvironmenttakesitsresponsibilityofproducingskilledyounggraduates veryseriously,andweencourageourgraduatesandtheirfamiliesandfriendstopartnerwithustoimproveonall avenuesofouroffering,andinsodoingplayanactiveroleinensuringthebestpossiblefutureforall.Wecontinue buildingafacultythatnotonlyofferstheverybestinteaching,learningandresearchfacilities,butisalsoagreat placetogrow,liveinandtovisit.
Accreditation
TheFacultyofEngineeringandtheBuiltEnvironmentboastsafullhouseofaccreditedprogrammesinboth engineeringandthebuiltenvironmentspheres.Allourfirstdegreesinengineeringareaccreditedbythe EngineeringCouncilofSouthAfrica(ECSA)undertheWashingtonAccord.Thisincludestheonlyfullyaccredited AeronauticalEngineeringprogrammeonthecontinent.Careeropportunitiesforengineersarelimitless,extending wellbeyondtheengineeringsector.
TheBScConstructionStudiesisaccreditedbytheCharteredInstituteofBuilding(UK-CIOB),theRoyalInstitution ofCharteredSurveyors(UK-RICS),theSouthAfricanCouncilfortheQuantitySurveyingProfession(SACQSP) andtheSouthAfricanCouncilfortheProjectandConstructionManagementProfessions(SACPCMP)whilstthe BScPropertyStudiesisaccreditedbytheSouthAfricanCouncilforthePropertyValuersProfession(SACPVP)and isrecognizedbytheUSA'sInstituteforRealEstateManagement(IREM).
AttheHonourslevel,theBScHonoursinConstructionManagementandQuantitySurveying,respectively,are accreditedbytheSACQSPandtheSACPCMPandbothHonoursdegreesareaccreditedinternationallybythe CIOBandRICS.
TheBachelorofArchitecturalStudiesandMasterofArchitecture(Professional)areaccreditedbytheSouthAfrican CouncilfortheArchitecturalProfessions(SACAP)andtheCommonwealthAssociationofArchitects(CAA).The BScinUrbanandRegionalPlanning(Hons)andMasterofScienceinDevelopmentPlanningareaccreditedbythe SouthAfricanCouncilforPlanning(SACPLAN).
IndustryPartnershipsandCommunityEngagement
TheFacultymaintainsstronglinkswithindustrythroughstudentbursaries,scholarshipsandinternships,sponsored professorshipsorchairsandfundedresearchentities.Thesepartnershipsnotonlyenhanceoureducational offeringsbutalsoensureourresearchremainsrelevantandimpactful.Wevalueandcherishourroleinourcity,our nation,andtheworld,recognizingthatoursuccessismeasurednotjustbyacademicachievements,butbythe positivetransformationwebringtothecommunitiesweserve.
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.
