July 2025
We have specially curated this newsletter to celebrate the achievements of Witsies on campus and around the world during the first half of this year. You can read about Sir John Lazar's African optimism, Jacob Modise's resilience and passionate belief in the power of education and Dr Manny Pohl's legendary story from South Africa to Australia. We also celebrate Prof. Bruce Murray's legacy gift to Wits History and Sport, and pay tribute to Jennifer Luntz in memoriam. Back in South Africa, our students have just completed their mid-year exams and our July graduation season is underway, where honorary doctorates were bestowed on two renowned South Africans - Mavuso Msimang, a South African civil servant and co-founder of African Parks and our very own Wits alumnus and football legend, Kaizer Motaung - on Tuesday, 15 July 2025. The first quarter of this year also saw the Wits University Council unanimously approve the appointment of Professor Zeblon Vilakazi FRS as Vice-Chancellor and Principal for five more years, with his second term running from 2026 to 2030. Professor Vilakazi's focus over the next five years will be to continue working towards the University's 2033 strategic goals, to invest in the academic project, to create an environment that fosters innovation and to ensure the well-being of staff, students and members of the Wits community. To read more captivating stories about what is happening at Wits, visit www.wits.ac.za/ news See you soon!