Wits University’s Winter Graduations are taking place between July 10 and 14, 2023.
Hundreds of postgraduate students will be conferred with their PhDs, Master of Arts and Honours degrees during the ceremonies. Wits Vuvuzela’s Seth Thorne and Nonhlanhla Mathebula caught the Humanities ceremony on July 11, to document and congratulate the students from the Wits Centre for Journalism, as they had their fifteen seconds of fame with Wits chancellor, Judy Dlamini on stage.
Journalism and Media Studies graduate Malaika Ditabo eagerly awaiting being capped at the winter graduation ceremony. Photo: Seth ThorneScott Money receiving his honours degree in English at the humanities graduation ceremony on July 11, 2023. Photo: Seth ThorneColin Hugo and Elishevah Bome say the late nights and early mornings were all worth it. Journalist Velile Mnyandu proudly receiving his honours degree in Journalism and Media Studies on July 11, 2023. Photo: Seth ThorneRufaro Chiswo, the 2022 In-depth Student of The Year with her hard earned scroll. Wits Vuvuzela alumnus Keamogetswe Matlala posing proudly in front of the Great Hall following her graduation. Photo: Seth ThorneBroadcaster and journalist Azania Mosaka proudly receiving her honours degree in Journalism and Media Studies with distinction. Photo: Seth ThorneBusisiwe Mdluli is all smiles as she gets her Journalism and Media Studies honours degree. Photo: Nonhlanhla Mathebula Malaika Ditabo, now a News24 journalist, takes a break from the politics desk to savour her achievement. Photo: Seth ThorneThe 2022 Student of the Year, Tannur Anders celebrates this long awaited moment. Six of the career-entry Journalism and Media Studies honours class of 2022 posing proudly with Wits Centre for Journalism director Dr Dinesh Balliah and career-entry lecturer Pheladi Sethusa. Photo: Seth Thorne
FEATURED IMAGE: Malaika Ditabo, now a News24 journalist, takes a break from the politics desk to savour her achievement. Photo: Seth Thorne
The All Res Sports Day brings students living at Wits University residences together, in a day of sweaty but friendly play.
The All Res Sun-Council (ARSC) hosted their annual sports day at Digs field, pitting residences against one other for a podium finish.
Barnato Hall, Noswal Hall, David Webster Hall, Wits Junction, Girton Hall, Sunnyside Hall, Jubilee Hall, Reith Hall, Amani, Braamfontein Centre Residence, Medhurst Hall, West Campus Village, Knockando Hall, Ernest Oppenheimer Hall (EOH) and Men’s Res took to the fields and courts to compete on May 13, 2023.
Sports such as netball, soccer, basketball, touch rugby, chess and indigenous games were played throughout the day.
ARSC media officer, Basetsane Sithole said “This year we are really excited to try make it as big as possible [by] involving sponsors such as Redbull; this is an event for us to get the reses back together again because we haven’t done anything like this since O-week [orientation week].”
Khethani Makhithi, Junction men’s soccer coach said, “Junction is not a well-established football team with a strong heritage like Knockendo which is known for its football prowess.”
Makhithi said even though the match against Knockando ended in a 1-1 draw, but won in penalties, he believes it was a tight game throughout.
Asemahle Mazamela, netball referee during a clash off between Wits Junction and Noswal said that the match went well besides the fact that “the other team [Wits Junction] only had 5 players but they tried,” which unfortunately led them to an early knockout.
Phenyo Leornard Moje, a player for Noswal netball team was injured in the first quarter of the final match against Barnato. He felt guilty for not being able to help his team in the first two quarters of the match. Despite not being fully healed, he decided to rejoin the game in third and fourth quarter of the match.
At the end of the sports day, the reses who came third, second and first place each received trophies and medals.
The first-place winners were:
EOH in touch rugby, men’s basketball
Barnato in netball, Barnato in women’s basketball and Barnato in women’s soccer
Braam Centre in men’s soccer
Men’s res in chess
Reith Hall in all the indigenous games
The spirit award was given to David Webster
The games all ended in high spirits as the winners celebrated and danced on the courts, Neliswa Mpangeni, one of the spectators from Noswal Hall said that she has been at Digs filed since 8 in the morning and enjoyed supporting her team who were participating in the different sports.
The sports day concluded with roaring cheers and jubilation. The reses showcased their skills and sportsmanship, plus made memories were made that would last a lifetime.
Jubilee Hall playing against West Campus Village. Photo by: Ayanda Mgwenya
Barnato Hall supporters cheer and encourage their netball team at the netball court. Photo by: Ayanda Mgwenya
West Campus Village in red plays against EOH in black. Photo by: Ayanda Mgwenya
David Webster supporters singing and dancing at Digs field for the David Webster men’s soccer team: Photo by: Ayanda Mgwenya
Men’s res in red and white kit playing against Amani Hall in green kit. Photo by: Ayanda Mgwenya
Noswal Hall in maroon playing against Reith Hall in purple. Photo by: Ayanda Mgwenya
Girton Hall in green tops plays against Amani in blue and white dresses. Photo by: Ayanda Mgwenya
FEATURED IMAGE: EOH playing touch rugby against Men’s res Photo: Ayanda Mgwenya
After nearly two weeks without one, Joburg has its fifth mayor in just 18 months.
Al Jama-ah’s Kabelo Gwamanda has been voted in as Johannesburg’s new executive mayor by councillors in a secret ballot at the City Council sitting on May 5, 2023.
Out of the 266 ballots cast Gwamanda received 139 votes, while the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) Johannesburg caucus leader Mpho Phalatse got 68 votes and ActionSA’s Gauteng chairperson Funzi Ngobeni, got 59 votes.
This was the council’s fifth attempt at voting in a mayor since the resignation of Al Jama-ah’s Thapelo Amad on April 24. A sitting on Tuesday, May 3 was postponed due to squabbles amongst coalition partners.
Messy horse trading
Failed negotiations among those in the former ‘multi-party coalition,’ saw the DA unable to come to an agreement with ActionSA, IFP, VF+, ACDP, UIM and PA.
In an interview with Wits Vuvuzela DA Johannesburg caucus leader Mpho Phalatse said that the reason negotiations failed is because the DA could not come to terms with the proposition by the Patriotic Alliance (PA) to nominate Kenny Kunene as mayor. “[We] could not fathom how such could be allowed,” she said.
The PA, the swing vote in council, then put their weight behind Gwamanda, alongside the ANC, EFF, Al Jama-ah, AIC, AHC, ATM, Good, PAC, Cope and APC. In return, Kenny Kunene received an executive position and now has control over the city’s transport portfolio.
Gwamanda labels this coalition as “one of national unity” which will continue to “prioritize service delivery,” arguing that regime change in the city will not negatively impact service delivery.
Former mayor Thapelo Amad said that the election of his Al Jama-ah colleague is a good thing for the city, stating that “the city is in capable hands”.
ActionSA mayoral candidate Funzi Ngobeni says that his party is happy with the working relationship with the ACDP, IFP, UIM and VF+, however it is “unfortunate that we could not get DA on board.” He says that the aims of the partners now are to be “a constructive opposition”.
Al Jama-ah councillor and newly-appointed executive mayor of the city of Johannesburg, Kabelo Gwamanda. Photo: Seth Thorne
DA councillors applauding the nomination for mayoral candidacy of councillor Mpho Phalatse (bottom left) before the elections took place. Photo: Seth Thorne
ANC Johannesburg caucus leader and newly-appointed MMC for finance Dada Morero reacting to the swearing in of Kabelo Gwamanda – the new executive mayor. Photo: Seth Thorne
DA councillors raising their hands for a headcount of the total number of councillors participating in the mayoral elections before the voting began. Photo: Seth Thorne
Johannesburg council speaker Colleen Makhubele (left) congratulating Kabelo Gwamanda (right) shortly after he was officially announced as the new executive mayor of Johannesburg. Photo: Seth Thorne
Patriotic Alliance councillor and MMC for transport in the city of Johannesburg, Kenny Kunene walking into chambers before the results were announced. Photo: Seth Thorne
ActionSA chairperson Michael Beaumont in conversation with Soweto Parliament leader Nhlanhla Lux at the Johannesburg City Council in Braamfontein ahead of the mayoral elections. Photo: Seth Thorne
The executive mayor Kabelo Gwamanda reading his oath during the process of being sworn in. Photo: Seth Thorne
Kabelo Gwamanda signing his declaration as the newly-appointed executive mayor of the city of Johannesburg. Photo: Seth Thorne
Newly-appointed Kabelo Gwamanda delivering his first speech as the executive mayor of the City of Johannesburg at the City Council. Photo: Seth Thorne
FEATURED: IEC officials alongside political party representatives counting the secret ballot votes at the Joburg City Council on May 5, 2023. Photo: Seth Thorne
Graduates are accompanied by family and friends to celebrate their academic achievements.
Wits University awarded hundreds of qualifications to students from various fields of study during its annual Autumn graduation, between April 17 and April 26, at the Wits Great Hall. Wits Vuvuzela journalists, Ayanda Mgwenya and Rethabile Mafisa were there to capture some of the special moments.
Wits Vuvuzela reporter, Ndumiso Nkosi before the April 2023 autumn graduation ceremony. Photo: Rethabile Mafisa
BA graduate Tlhologelo Makaleng with his parents Mrs and Mr Makaleng
BA General Andile Mukari with his friend Bradley Mathonsi
Wits BA graduate Tiny Mapodile
BA General graduate Simnikiwe Kelembe is alongside her family on the Great Hall steps
Tlou Cleopas Monyepao receives his graduation belt April, 24 2023. Photo: Rethabile Mafisa
Wits choir performing at the April 2023 autumn graduation. Photo: Rethabile Mafisa
Limani Bantu Phalo Mangaliso graduated with a double major in Politics and Law; along side her are her iconic fashion designer parents Thando and Vanya Mangaliso of Sun Goddess SA
BA General graduate Simnikiwe Kelembe feeling proud of her achievement as a Wits graduate
BA General graduate Kushal Sithul with his dad and mom
Majored in Politics and Media Studies is Ramela Modise is standing between
BA double major graduate in Psychology and History Damola Adenigba stands alongside her father Abbey Adenigba
FEATURED IMAGE:Wits graduates leaving the Great Hall after the graduation ceremony Photo: Rethabile Mafisa
From the early hours of Friday morning, the ongoing #WitsShutdown protests became physical.
Things came to a head between protesting students and private security officers and Campus Protection Services (CPS) on March 3, 2023. What started out as security using their shields to bar students from entering buildings or using certain entrances, quickly escalated into water, bricks and other projectiles being hurled by some protestors.
Members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) have now entered the fray, with multiple nyala’s standing at the ready in front of the Great Hall steps to provide reinforcements.
EFF Student Command members joined the protest.
A student holds up a placard which reads “Wits is not for good. It is depriving us education and shelter, our basic human rights!!!” Photo: Mpho Hlakudi.
A student wears a t-shirt with “Hasta la Victoria Siempre” written on it, which means “Until victory, always” in Spanish.
Bricks being ripped off the
A water bottle being emptied out onto a private security officer.
A protesting student addressing a security officer.
Protesting members of NEHAWU joined protesting students and are seen attempting to calm tensions.
A traffic cone about to be flung at security officers.
Remnants of some of the things thrown at officers lie on the floor at the top of the Great Hall steps.
A student protester sings into the loudspeaker. Photo: Mpho Hlakudi
Protesting students gathered at the Wits amphitheatre as members of the SRC addressed them. Photo: Mpho Hlakudi.
FEATURED IMAGE: A traffic cone about to be flung at security officers. Photo: Mpho Hlakudi
The Wits SRC organised a clean-up campaign around the streets of Johannesburg to clear students’ historic debt.
Members of Wits University’s student representative council (SRC) hung up their white blazers on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 in a symbolic effort to sweep away outstanding student debt. The clean-up drive is one of many activities planned to reach the R20-million target set by the SRC to assist returning students who have been unable to register for the academic year due to financial constraints.
A Witsie waves two plastic bags. Photo: Mpho Hlakudi
A closeup photo of a hand picking up rubbish. Photo: Mpho Hlakudi
A woman picks up rubbish on Jozi streets
A volunteer helps clear a heap of rubbish infront of the Hillbrow Health Centre. Photo: Mpho Hlakudi
Wits students removing a rubbish heap outside Hillbrow Health Centre. Photo: Mpho Hlakudi
A Wits security guard hands out cleaning gloves to the students
A police car flashing its lights with the crowd blurred in the background. Photo: Mpho Hlakudi
Thousands of ANC and DA protesters took to the streets of Johannesburg on Wednesday, January 26, blocking roads around Chief Albert Luthuli House.
DA supporters swarmed Gandhi square near Luthuli House while the ANC Youth League marched around the ANC’s headquarters. The former to demand action on loadshedding and the latter to ‘protect’ their party in a counter-protest. Here’s how events unfolded and how the police managed to keep control.
The 18th edition of the African Investigative Journalism Conference wrapped up on November 2, 2022, have a look at some of the highlights captured by the Wits Vuvuzela team.
Wit’s University’s Homecoming Weekend saw non-stop celebrations from Friday, September 2 until Sunday, September 4, 2022. The Wits Vuvuzela team was out and about throughout and these are some of the moments they captured.
The Witsie Kudu couple wave to the crowds before the beginning of the parade.
Wits Vice chancellor Zeblon Vilakazi welcomes Witsies and friends to the centenary celebrations. Photo: Keamogetswe MatlalaThe kick-off of the homecoming parade, the crowd begins with a dash from the line as confetti litters the celebratory air. Photo: Colin HugoThe Witsie Kudu couple wave to the crowds before the beginning of the parade. Photo: Colin HugoWitsies took to the streets of Braamfontein to celebrate Wits University’s 100th birthday. Photo: Elishevah BomeBesides the fancy- dress and costumes all those who took part of the Rag parade’s procession were wearing the widest and brightest smiles. Photo: Elishevah BomeA wits parade volunteer proudly wearing her Wits 100 year shirt on the parade. Photo: Colin Hugohe view of the 100 year parade from the 18th floor of the Wits Art Museum as the parade makes it’s way down Jorissen street. Photo: Colin HugoRAG Parade attendees paint their faces blue and gold. Photo: Tannur AndersParktown Boys High School band kicked off the celebrations with a performance. Photo: Tannur AndersWits cheerleaders partake in the first of the homecoming festivities. Photo: Tannur AndersWits Vuvuzela student journalist, Colin Hugo, came sixth in the #Wits100 Parkrun. Photo: Tannur AndersThe famous Great Hall is lit up by the centenary light show. Artists and dancers performed live impromptu art at the feet of the great hall. Photo: Colin Hugo A picture of what Braamfontein used to look like displayed on the face lifted Great Hall. Photo: Colin Hugo South African Rapper, Big Zulu, performing at the Free People’s Concert at Digs Field, West Campus. Photo: Busisiwe MdluliSouth African singer-songwriter, Jesse Clegg, performing the songs of his late father, Johnny Clegg at the Free People’s Concert. Photo: Busisiwe MdluliSome future Witsies taking a look at Great Hall. Photo: Elishevah BomeWits dean of student affairs Jerome September dolled up for the parade. Photo: Keamogetswe MatlalaWits SRC president Cebolenkosi Khumalo cruising along with vice chancellor Zeblon Vilakazi as the parade moved into the streets of Braamfontein. Photo: Keamogetswe MatlalaSongs of struggle marked the separate march against exclusion by PYA and EFFSC student leaders which led the parade pack. Photo: Keamogetswe MatlalaStudent leaders overtake the centenary parade with placards expressing adverse messaging. Photo: Keamogetswe MatlalaVusi Mahlasela performing during his heart-warming set at The Free People’s Concert. Photo: Rufaro ChiswoThe crowd at the Free People’s Concert thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Photo: Rufaro Chiswo Soweto Gospel Choir’s colourful outfits make the stage more vibrant. Photo: Rufaro ChiswoThe woodwind players from Mango Groove blowing everyone away. Photo: Rufaro ChiswoMango Groove’s Claire Johnston giving a jaw-dropping vocals. Photo: Rufaro ChiswoDazzled by the performers, the crowd can’t take their eyes off the stage. Photo: Rufaro ChiswoWits staff could not wait to get their hands on the special edition Wits Vuvuzela newspaper in celebration of the Wits centenary on morning September 2. Photo: Tylin MoodleyA player from the Orlando Pirates Legends team lines up an explosive penalty shot during the Wits Legends and Orlando Pirates Legends soccer match on Saturday, September 3. Photo: Tylin MoodleyWits Legends (left) and Orlando Pirates Legends (right) come together in the heat to watch the penalties that Orlando Pirates Legends won 4-3 during Homecoming Weekend. Photo: Tylin MoodleyWits fans came dressed in their supporter’s gear for the game against Wits Legends and Orlando Pirates Legends at Wits Stadium on the Saturday of Homecoming Weekend. Photo: Tylin MoodleyWits Music Alumnus Mdu Mtshali and various artists perform Gideon Nxumalo’s ‘60th Celebration of Jazz Fantasia’. Photo: Mpho HlakudiTenor Saxophonist, Thami Mahlangu performs an exquisite piece at the Wits Fantasia’ at the new Chris Seabrooke Music Hall on East Campus. Photo: Mpho HlakudiPerformers take a bow as the crowd cheers and applauds their electric performance which earned a standing ovation. Photo: Mpho HlakudiThe #Wits100 Light Show light up by a map of Wits Braamfontein surrounding areas. Photo: Mpho Hlakudi
The scrapping of the majority of covid-19 regulations on campus have seen Wits University looking like its pre-pandemic self. Libraries are full, the Matrix is a hive of activity and the library lawn is the enclave of activations, naps and conversation.
Parking has once again become a struggle with most parking lots at full capacity. Photo: Elishevah BomeLines that bend and stretch around store corners are once again a lunchtime norm. Photo: Elishevah BomeLines to Vida e Caffe have also doubled in size this semester. Photo: Elishevah BomeThe steps of South West Engineering building serve as a place for rest during breaks. Photo: Elishevah BomeBethia Milner and Daniel Frankel enjoying lunch on East Campus. Photo: Elishevah BomeTo some, covid-19 is seemingly a thing of the past. No masks and no social distancing in congested areas on campus. Photo: Elishevah BomeThe Library Lawns regain their former glory as a place to bask in the sun. Photo: Elishevah BomeWits staffers have been working throughout the pandemic, keeping the university in tip top shape. Photo: Elishevah BomePedestrians crossing Amic Deck to move from different parts of Main Campus. Photo: Elishevah Bome
The Wits Choir hosted a mini concert on the Great Hall steps on Wednesday, August 10, 2022, injecting some culture into passersby.
Photo: Elishevah Bome
Students studying, eating and playing games with their friends on the Library Lawns.
Photo: Elishevah Bome
FEATURED IMAGE: Wits Campus is buzzing again Photo: ElishevahBome
This week saw the winter season for 2022 make its mark, with the coldest night of the year recorded in parts of Gauteng by the South African Weather Service on May 31, 2022. Wits Vuvuzela took to Main Campus to see how Witsies and the surrounds have taken to the freezing temperatures.
And here’s what Witsies say they like about the colder months of the year.
Societal expectations and experiences can often place pressure on people’s relationships. With Valentine’s Day coming up we have asked individuals questions about their views on certain relationship dynamics especially when it comes to the most anticipated day of the year for some lovers, Valentines Day. Viewers shared their beliefs and Siyanda and Katlego talk about […]
