Technology is advancing and getting involved will help postgraduates not get left behind.
The Wits Postgraduate Orientation introduces students to their chapter as ‘seniors’ on campus.
App development in academic research is encouraged.
Apps can be beneficial but also have various limitations.
From left to right, Simone Dahms Vester, Tasneem Hassem and Lesego Molefe, at the Post Graduate Orientation panel discussion session. Photo: Bonolo Mokonoto
In the age of artificial intelligence, postgraduate research needs to adapt quickly to not just keep up but lead the way. This is what new students were told during their Postgraduate Orientation on January 28, 2026 at the Great Hall.
Beyond using apps and tools that already exist, students were encouraged to be creative and develop their own apps instead of relying heavily on AI for their research. “[With] something like ChatGPT, we need to know who developed it and what data it has been trained on, especially with mental health, a lot of the phrases or tools that have been developed come from the west, so when we transfer it to South Africa there is a mismatch on how we understand mental health” said Tasneem Hassem Senior lecturer in Psychology.
Students were urged to take advantage of digital platforms to create their own apps, using a data collection tool or analysis app. The speakers noted that by identifying everyday research challenges, students can find practical solutions without having any app development background.
Postgraduate students in attendance at the Postgraduate Orientation. Photo: Bonolo Mokonoto
As beneficial as apps can be, they also have their own flaws. Lesego Molefe, a master of science student, shared some concerns regarding the Wits app. “I will always reference the Wits mobile app, it is literally the one stop shop to everything, but there is one problem- it’s that, it’s a bit fragmented” she said. The Wits app needs to bring together the student element, by making it more interactive for it to function as a social media platform.
New technologies should be seen as an opportunity to enhance research rather than an obstacle to tackle.
FEATURED IMAGE: From left to right, Simone Dahms Vester, Tasneem Hassem, Lesego Molefe and Prof Jennifer Fitchett, at the Post Graduate Orientation panel discussion session. Photo: Bonolo Mokonoto
Being a first-year can conjure up a rollercoaster of emotions, and navigating it can turn survival into belonging.
The moment my parents’ car disappeared down the road outside my residence four years ago, reality hit me. Standing there in a new place, surrounded by unfamiliar faces and unpacked boxes, I felt a knot in my stomach and my chest tightened with anxiety. It was bittersweet watching them leave, I felt a mixture of both excitement and fear settling in all at once. As shy as I was, I knew this was an opportunity of a lifetime.
Around me, students laughed as their parents helped them carry boxes upstairs, rooms and corridors buzzed with conversation, and new friendships seemed to form effortlessly. I knew no one. I kept questioning if I truly belonged here. I did not realise then, what I know now, which is that almost everyone around me was feeling the exact same way I did. Even in my loneliness, I promised myself that I would make the most out of this experience.
Walking onto the Wits University campus for the first time can be both exciting and terrifying. Your first year at Wits represents a sense of freedom and possibility, but also pressure and uncertainty, this marks the beginning of a journey that will test you in ways you never expected.
Wits is more than just attending lectures and keeping up with submission deadlines. Outside of classes you will quickly come to realise that this university has so much more to offer. Whether you are grabbing something to munch on at the Matrix, sitting on the Lawns with your new formed friends, or doing the occasional people-watching on the Great Hall steps, these spaces become the heart of student life on main campus.
The fountain separating the Great Hall from the Library Lawns, it brings a relaxing white noise during stressful days. Photo: Bonolo MokonotoThe Matrix, located on east campus. This is a busy student center, with food vendors, banks and the Campus Bookshop. Photo: Bonolo MokonotoThe Main campus bus stop. This is where you will catch the Wits bus that takes you to the other wits campuses and residences. On the same road is AMIC Deck which is the bridge that connects east and west campus. Photo: Bonolo Mokonoto
Hundreds of events are hosted by various clubs and societies and pop- up performances are frequent; this is to remind you that Wits is a community, as much as an academic space. Ensure that you get involved as it will help make campus feel less stressful and more like home.
Speaking of stress, the change from high school to university is drastic and this can be overwhelming. No one is here to remind you of deadlines or check if you are keeping up academically, it is important that you take agency over your own life. First year is not about being perfect, it is about learning how to manage your time efficiently to avoid unnecessary stress later on.
Making friends can be tricky, campus is constantly busy and it is easy to feel alone in the crowd, as was I upon arrival. People might seem like they have it together, but they are silently navigating the confusion and anxiety just as you are. Do not be afraid to talk to the person sitting next to you in a lecture or ask questions in tutorials, you would be surprised how many people feel exactly the way you do.
Zesti Lemonz on west campus, this eatery provides light meal takeaways for students on the go and provides an outdoor seating area to mingle with friends. Photo: Bonolo MokonotoJimmy’s, located on west campus with a corresponding location at the Matrix. Photo: Bonolo MokonotoThe Wits Anglo American Digital Dome is a 360° immersive digital facility on east campus. It provides a state- of -the art venue showcasing science, arts and culture. Photo: Bonolo Mokonto
As the year continues, it is important to know where you can seek out help. Wits offers academic development units such as the Wits Writing Centre, tutors, and libraries that are there to support you. Make use of these facilities early on, there is no shame in seeking help.
Recreational sports facility located on west campus, this is where you can bond with other sports lovers and engage in the ever therapeutic team sport. Photo: Bonolo MokonotoOutdoor gym on west campus close to Barnato Hall Residence. Photo: Bonolo MokonotoA deeply hidden dam and water feature located on west campus next to Barnato. This is known to the seasoned witsies as a secret getaway from the constantly hectic wits campus. Photo: Bonolo MokonotoAlumni House on the lower end of west campus, it houses Olives and Plates a restaurant on campus for all to enjoy. Photo: Bonolo Mokonoto
First year will test you, you might fail a test, or question whether you belong or not. Do not give up, keep showing up and take it one day at a time.
Oh and remember, once a Witsie always a Witsie!
FEATURED IMAGE: The Great Hall at Wits University. Photo: Bonolo Mokonoto
The Vanderbijlpark scholar transport accident exposes how reckless driving and weak enforcement continue to cost lives on South Africa’s roads.
On Monday, January 19, a scholar transport minibus was involved in a devastating collision in Vanderbijlpark, situated south of Johannesburg. The tragic accident resulted in fourteen fatalities, sending shockwaves through Gauteng and the country at large.
As investigations continue, the 22-year-old driver appeared before the Vanderbijlpark Magistate’s Court, where the case took a drastic turn as he abandoned bail and additional charges were added. The National Prosecuting Authority confirmed on Thursday, January 22, that the driver, Ayanda Dludla, now faces 14 counts of murder, upgraded from the initial charges of culpable homicide. Other charges include three counts of attempted murder, one count of driving without a valid permit and one count of operating an unlicensed vehicle.
Initial reports and video footage point to reckless driving during peak traffic. Too often, scholar transports operate in a grey area where unroadworthy vehicles, missing permits and unqualified drivers are treated as a miner issue, rather than a life-threatening risk for the lives of people on the road.
The tragedy that unfolded in Vanderbijlpark is not just a heartbreaking reminder of how dangerous our roads have become; it is an indication of the disappointing system that has repeatedly failed to protect even its most vulnerable users. For years, communities and road safety advocates have warned about reckless driving and weak enforcement from road officials.
The Department of Transport’s recent push to verify scholar transport operators, to ensure proper registration and the possession of valid documentation, is crucial. This raises an uncomfortable question: why did it take the loss of fourteen young lives for this urgency? Road stops after such a tragedy are not enough, enforcement must be consistent and uncompromising, not just reactive.
Scholar transport drivers are entrusted with young lives, and that responsibility needs discipline, patience and respect for the rules of the road. Reckless overtaking, speeding and a complete disregard for traffic laws are acts of negligence with inevitably devastating consequences.
Parents and community members should be empowered to play a role and verifying whether a scholar vehicle is properly registered, checking operating permits, and refusing to use services that cannot prove the above should be normalised. Communities should feel supported and not intimidated or discouraged when reporting unsafe drivers.
The way forward requires more than apologies and condolences. It demands stricter enforcement, routine vehicle inspections and serious consequences. The Vanderbijlpark tragedy must mark a turning point for South Africans. Our children deserve to travel safely to and from school, anything else is a failure we can no longer accept.
Investigations into the accident are ongoing and the case has been postponed to March 5, 2026.
FEATURED IMAGE: Bonolo Mokonoto profile image. Photo: Paul Botes
The city of gold is losing its shine as it continues to neglect the lives of miners.
Visiting the Gold Reef City Mining Exhibition was an unforgettable experience that dropped me into the depths of Johannesburg’s rich gold mining history. I was welcomed by tour guides laughing loudly with all-teeth showing. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming as I was given a safety helmet and torch to go underground. As I prepared to descend the shaft, a wave of anticipation mixed with anxiety washed over me. The gate of the shaft was sealed shut and my guide began her rehearsed rant as my heart raced at each gradual bump I felt, as we began to descend. The sun disappeared the lower we went and my grip on the railing tightened. The mine entrance glistened with light streams of water as we were engulfed in darkness.
We are now 75m underground, the chilly air shocked me as I was expecting a wave of heat, but the calm tour guide Zakile shared that it was due to the ventilation underground. I could see smoke appear as I talked, my hand searching for my torch to take it all in. The dim light flickered as we passed through narrow mine tunnels, Zakile pointing out the rocks and mannequins placed to give a more realistic experience. You can hear each thump of our steps, leaving an echo, the trickling of water droplets from the walls. The walls around us were rough and hard, the decades of extraction felt, right on my fingertips. I can see the remnants of thousands of miners who have been down this mine, day in and day out, dealing with harsher conditions than what we are experiencing now. The souls that have walked these pathways and helped make Johannesburg the City of Gold it’s known to be today.
The life of David Muphandu
My experience couldn’t have been further removed from the dangerous realities that gold miners face every day. Long hours spent in tight cramped tunnels, thick hot air, sweat dripping from their foreheads, a life David Muphandu, a miner of over 14 years, knows all too well.
“I would clock in at 05:00, then once I clock in, I go straight to the shaft waiting for the cage to go down. The shaft was supposed to come and collect us past six, then we go down,” says Muphandu, his cadence is slow and monotone, as he recalls his days at the mine “[By] 08:00, we have a safety meeting underground. After [the] safety meeting, we sign the book [to confirm attendance], then we go straight to the workplace,” he shares.
Commissioned in 1926, the Winder machine was originally part of the Crown Mines, which was once the largest and richest gold mining operation in the world. The winder controlled the cables that raised and lowered cages carrying miners and equipment down the vertical shaft. The machine helped create efficient transportation for the mine. Photo: Bonolo Mokonoto
Muphandu would ensure that the machine he is operating works properly, because any faulty part could lead to serious injury. He exits the mine when they are done after 13:00 or 14:00, he pulls out his silver container as he proceeds to quickly eat his lunch. After work he removes his Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), showers, puts on his home clothes and leaves.
Having a typical nine to five is rare in the mining industry. “It depends sometimes, if we don’t work well straight, maybe we have a delay of tools or maybe someone is not there. Sometimes we can leave latest let’s say at 17:00 or 18:00,” he says.
His story reflects the reality behind the shiny image of Johannesburg as the city of gold and pulls into question its status as a world- class African city.
Where it all began
Gold was first discovered in the Witwatersrand area in 1886 by George Harrison, which led to the Witwatersrand Gold Rush. Johannesburg was soon established as a mining town and rapidly became South Africa’s largest city and economic hub often called the “City of Gold” due to the massive gold deposits in its surrounding areas.
In the early 20th century, Johannesburg’s economy and urban growth revolved heavily around deep underground mining operated by large corporations. The mining industry attracted a diverse workforce, including local Black Africans who worked in difficult, often dangerous conditions, as well as skilled European miners.
The mining industry is full of diversity, “On the mine, we are not the same and we come from different places, there [are] people from Maputo, there’s people from Lesotho, there’s people from Mthatha, there’s people from KZN, there’s people from Venda, people from Bush, people from different places,” says Muphandu.
Over more than a century, gold mining has driven Johannesburg’s development but also left a legacy of social inequality, environmental damage, and health issues, not just for the miners, but the community surrounding the mine.
In recent decades, Johannesburg’s gold mining has declined due to depletion of shallow deposits, rising operational costs, infrastructure challenges, and global market shifts. Most of the mines have shut down, jobs have been lost, and the sector’s contribution to the city’s economy has decreased, in comparison to other metal groups, such as platinum.
Johannesburg faces the challenge of balancing its identity as a historic “City of Gold” with the realities of a contracting, troubled mining industry that continues to impact many workers’ lives.
Golds contribution to the economy
The average price of gold as of October, 2025, has risen significantly, reaching around R59, 169 ( $3, 275) per ounce, and would waver between R48, 939 and R75, 385 per ounce throughout the year. This creates space for investment in the country and potential socio- economic growth. The gold mining industry’s contribution to South Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has been decreasing slowly over the past five years due to the depletion of gold and increased global competition. Out of all the primary platinum metal groups, gold is performing or contributing the least in production.
“The gold price is doing very well in the international market. I mean it’s now on record price; it’s now on four thousand dollars an ounce,” says Livhuwani Mammburuu, the head of communications for the National Union of Mine Workers. The new developments in the gold price are exciting however miners are not able to take part in claiming the fruits of their labour. “You will find a situation where the executives’ pay themselves millions of bonuses and workers who work hard underground do not get anything,” he says.
This reenactment captures the ancient gold smelting process where raw gold is heated in a furnace to over 1,064°C, melting it into liquid form. Once molten, the gold is carefully poured from the crucible into moulds, solidifying into bars, a crucial final step in transforming mined gold. Photo: Bonolo Mokonoto
The realities of working in the gold mining industry
In 2025 the lives of gold miners remain challenging as they try to adapt to changing circumstances. Many miners that are employed on formal operations still experience low and fixed wages. [The] National Union of Mine Workers (NUM) is having wage negotiations with one of the biggest gold companies in South Africa, called Sibanye-Stillwater, and the negotiations are not going well at all,” says Mammburuu.
“We have just recently declared a dispute with Sibanye-Stillwater, because we do not agree on the wage offer that they’re presenting to us. They are presenting 4,5% salary increase, which- the NUM, is not happy with,” he says.
“It’s very tough [when] you are dealing with a company that does not want to pay good salaries for its employees who are our members,” says Mammburuu, breathing heavily with anger and frustration.
Many miners, face physically demanding and often hazardous working conditions deep underground. These miners work for hours with varying hours to make more money.
“According to the working hours it was eight hours, but because of delay of work and transport to take us to the surface, sometimes we could be there for two days, the shaft being damage, there is no escape road for emergency,” Muphandu says. “Sometimes we take shortcuts to finish the job or manage time, but these shortcuts are more dangerous. Before working, we must put in temporary support and wait for the safety officer’s approval, but sometimes the safety officer doesn’t come. We are often forced to use old tools because of delays in new tool deliveries, which is very dangerous and can lead to accidents,” he says.
South Arica’s gold mining industry reported a total of 11 fatalities in 2024, which is a 45% decrease from 20 in 2023, the industry still has a long way to go to ensure zero fatalities.
“There is the Mine Health and Safety Act, companies need to adhere to [it], at NUM we are still worried about workers that are still dying underground. It’s not enough to see workers fatalities happening in the mines, we want to see a situation where there are zero fatalities and zero injuries in the mining industry, that’s what we are striving for,” says Mammburuu.
“There were people who got sick, so we always wear masks and full PPE before getting on the cage to go underground. But underground, because it’s hot, many take off their masks, which is wrong, since it helps prevent dust and coughing from spreading illnesses like TB. I personally never got sick from the mine, but I once fell because I incorrectly put my safety belt on, and I injured my left leg. Some miners even fall off the cage before it reaches the ground, it can get very dangerous underground,” says Muphando.
The living conditions of miners remain inhumane. Many miners have resorted to living in shacks, as these are the only form of housing closest to the mine. “If you look at- where these mines are situated, you’ll see a lot of shacks around those mines. Our members are also getting a living at allowance. A living at allowance is equal as a housing allowance so members when they get that living at allowance, they’ve got a duty to go and rent or buy decent houses, “says Mammburuu.
Ntando Ndlovu, a fourth-year mining and engineering student, did his vacation work at the Sibanye-Stillwater mine. “They said to me if you don’t enjoy your job you are going to do the least and but for them, they actually enjoy what they are doing, in a team environment, that team dynamic is actually what keep[s] them going every now and then,” Ndlovu says.
Miners must receive a fair income to support their families. When one mine is no longer operating or supportive, they will move to a different mine. “Yeah, but you know now the mine industry, especially if you no longer have that mentality to mine, you always discuss which shaft pays and how to get there, so some of us left and went to Rustenburg’s platinum mines where it was better, but then COVID-19 happened and we couldn’t get in, though some friends still work there; you know, to work in SA you have to do something or get information,”Muphando says. “I quit the mine, during COVID-19, so I left around 2020 or 2021.”
The future of gold mining in Johannesburg
As gold mines around Johannesburg continue to shut down and lay off miners who depend on that income, what is a way forward for this once fruitful industry? “We see poverty, we see shacks, to be honest there is nothing much that is being done to empower communities and empower mine workers themselves. We don’t really see much of what mining is doing for communities around Gauteng,” says Mammburu.
Non-profit organizations find ways to include and support mine workers that have been retrenched due to a mine shut down, to find other means of employment. Providing miners with skills that can support them on and off the mine can be beneficial for the whole community.
“We’ve [NUM] got an entity called Mine Workers Development Agency. It helps our members who are retrenched, to start businesses and – farming – it is playing a very big role to empower those workers that have been retrenched. The other thing the NUM is doing is we have built an artisan academy. [The miners] get trained, they get qualifications and become qualified artisans, they go and look for jobs again.”
“The gold price is increasing exponentially, but from where I was the gold is depleting, so the mine will close in three to five years to come. It’s a major issue because most of the people in the surrounding community rely on the Sibanye water operation,” Ndlovu says.
The current high gold price offers hope for investment within the country and improved working conditions for miners. However, we need to come to terms with a harsh reality. Johannesburg cannot claim its place as a world-class African city when the very people who built it continue to struggle daily. True wealth and progress within a city is seen through the lives of those who live and breathe it. The abundance from gold wealth needs to be shared fairly and miners’ dignity and livelihoods need to be prioritised and valued.
FEATURED IMAGE: The above photograph shows the passageway of the Gold Reef City mine, located 75 meters underground. The dimly lit tunnel echoes the footsteps of over 40,000 miners who travelled this path decades ago, offering a glimpse into the challenging conditions deep within Johannesburg’s historic gold mine. Photo: Bonolo Mokonoto
Online gambling is turning into an addiction for South Africa’s young and vulnerable.
Gambling popularly takes place on casino floors, but now we have our very own slot machines in our back pocket. Over the past five years, youth gambling in South Africa has been on a steady increase, and for some has turned into full blown addiction.
From Betway to Hollywoodbets, South Africans have a varietyof platforms to place their bets. Constant marketing and social media screengrabs of other users’ wins, fueling participation.
A South African online research company, Infoquest, conducted a study in 2024, to track the habits of approximately 300 South African gamblers. In 2025, a follow-up study was conducted to indicate the various trends that took place over the period.
The study shows that online gaming and betting remain favourites among South Africans, aged 18- 35, while the National Lottery is popular among older gamblers.
As the Boomer generation slowly stops visiting casinos and the consumer numbers for casinos begins to decline, online gambling continues to surge.
In a country that has a high youth unemployment rate, sitting at 46.1% for those aged 15 –34 in the second quarter of 2025, it is not shocking to see a rise in fast money side quests and high gambling amongst the youth.
Celebrities and influencers are used to help promote and advertise these platforms. South Africa’s Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, plays for the Sharks rugby team, a team which is sponsored by Hollywoodbets. This Sponsorship indirectly places Kolisi and other players in a position where they are associated with the platform.
Online gambling can be very addictive, as the platforms and their algorithms are designed to keep the consumer engaged for long periods of time. This can lead to increased financial risk-taking, which is often short-lived as they lose their money.
By applying game design elements to these platforms, gamers find enjoyment as they receive rewards, and this keeps them engaged and wanting to bet more often. Gamers can earn points, advance to other levels and receive rewards as an incentive to continue playing.
The National Gambling Board (NGB) needs to have tighter regulations in place to ensure that young South Africans can mitigate the risks of addiction from online betting.
Provincial Gambling Boards, should be granted the right to enforce regulations on gambling platforms, as they currently have no jurisdiction when it involves online gambling and betting, as these are under national jurisdiction. They should be able to monitor and audit online gambling platforms, regulate online marketing and advertising, and ensure compliance with existing regulations.
Online gambling poses severe risks. Urgent attention to this matter, transparent industry practices and stronger governmental regulations are essential in order to mitigate the harm that comes with online gambling.
FEATURED IMAGE: Bonolo Mokonoto. Photo: File/ Paul Botes
In a country where government controlled electricity supply is often unreliable, Asiphe Nhleko’s water-powered generator offers a sustainable alternative.
Wits student invents a water-powered generator.
Nhleko is supported by Wits to continue breaking barriers and being a champion for innovation.
The generator could power mines, households and businesses.
Asiphe Nhleko is a second-year Mining Engineering student at Wits University. She came up with Hydrogen, which is a water-powered generator. It is registered under her company, Innovation for a Sustainable Future.
The idea for the generator came to Nhleko when her mother got sick and needed support at home. At the time, electricity was one of their biggest costs.
“What makes our generator unique is that it only requires a small amount of water to start, and once it begins, it continues generating power without stopping,” said Nhleko
Nhleko needed to ensure that the generator could operate for a long period of time, as she stays far from home. When she goes home, she can refill the generator, and the process continues.
Nhleko is unable to share more operational details regarding the project. She is currently in the process of registering for Intellectual Property (IP), ensuring that her work is legally recognised and safeguarded.
While the idea came to Nhleko easily, building the prototype was not in her skill set. So she consulted her friend Musa Molefe, who has no tertiary education background. “He is so talented in terms of his technical skills,” said Nhleko. “I know that whatever that I say he can make it, with his hands,” said Nhleko.
After telling her mentor, Isaiah Chiraira (25), studying a Master’s in Electrical Engineering at Wits, about the project, he encouraged her to proceed. He helped to do the electronics and 3D modelling of the generator and helped in securing funding.
“Everyone at the engineering school has been incredibly supportive. They believe in the idea, some have even helped by conducting research for me. I had the innovation, the concept, but not all the solid research to back it up,” said Asiphe.
Asiphe believes her project has the potential to assist with the energy crisis in South Africa. She mentions that the project is beneficial, as it can power basic household items. Her main goal is to target the mining industry. “It’s millions that are spent per day on electricity in the mine[s], to power machines and just to power the mining plant[s],” Nhleko said.
Asiphe Nhleko is ambitious, with a clear vision for herself and her project. She says, “In the next five years, I see myself as a successful entrepreneur… I believe that us as young minds have all the solutions to the world’s problems.”
FEATURED IMAGE: A profile photo of Asiphe Nhleko: Supplied/Luphumlo Golela
Finally, the dolomite chambers reopen for public exploration after two years.
Sterkfontein Caves reopens after a two-year closure, visitors can now explore the World Heritage Site.
Wits University now fully owns and manages the caves.
Visitors will now be able to interact with researchers and view fossil preparations.
On Tuesday, April 15, the world-renowned Sterkfontein Caves reopened to the public after being closed in December 2022, due to flooding at the entrance of the caves. The UNESCO World Heritage Site located within the Cradle of Humankind now offers visitors the opportunity to have first-hand engagement with artefacts.
Visitors walking in the Sterkfontein Caves. Photo: Bonolo Mokonoto
The Sterkfontein Caves house excavations are responsible for the crucial discoveries that expand our understanding of early hominin fossils. Regarded as one of humanity’s most important paleontological sites, as it has hundreds of fossils that detail the origins of man.
As you walk into the cave, you are greeted with multiple steps to reach its deepest part. The environment is moist as the temperature is 20°C, and water droplets hang on the ceiling as testament. LED lights line the passageway to assist visitors as they venture deeper into the cave. It is eerily quiet, and an echo can be heard when you speak.
After taking over the property in 1966, Wits will now fully manage the site as of April 15, 2025, under the supervision of the Faculty of Science. Professor Job Kibii, Head of Wits Sterkfontein Caves said the Caves were originally co-owned by Wits and the Gauteng Provincial Government, now it is fully owned by Wits.
Professor Dominic Stratford, the leading researcher at the caves said, “Visitors might see people working, whether they are student groups or specialist researchers working in excavations”. This has never been done before and adds into the management’s efforts to make the cave tour experience interactive and educational.
Visitors will be accompanied by a tour guide and tour the caves, reaching the lowest point, the Elephant Chambers. They will have access to the fossil preparation laboratory, where they can engage with researchers and finally enter the museum.
“Part of the role of a university is to be about research, teaching, learning and outreach and interaction in the community… it is important for a university in its role as a public good entity to play its part in the preservation of human heritage,” said Wits’ vice-chancellor, Professor Zeblon Vilakazi.
The new developments make visiting the World Heritage Site a truly transformative and informative experience.
FEATURED IMAGE: From left to right: Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, Professor Job Kibii, Professor Dominic Stratford, Professor Nithaya Chetty, inside the Sterkfontein Caves. Photo: Bonolo Mokonoto
Since her announcement as the Democratic Alliance’s mayoral candidate for Johannesburg, Helen Zille has dominated national headlines. In this bonus episode of We Should Be Writing podcast, hosts Lulah Mapiye and Bonolo Mokonoto dissect a media meet-and-greet with the mayoral hopeful. From her extensive political résumé to her controversial public utterance, we examine why the Democratic Alliance has chosen Hellen Zille as their candidate for the 2027 local mayoral elections. Additionally, […]
