Nearly 140 Wits students attended the university’s largest self-defence seminar to date this week, as concerns about gender-based violence and personal safety continue to drive demand for practical self-defence training.
Wits Tang Soo Do, Wits Boxing, Wits Karate and the Gender Equity Office collaborate to host its biggest self-defence seminar yet.
The seminar sees attendance of male participants, highlighting how men can combat gender-based violence.
Calls for Wits to help expand this initiative.
The seminar, organised by Wits Tang Soo Do, Boxing, and Karate, in collaboration with Wits Gender Equity Office (GEO), saw the number of attendees nearly tripling that of 2025.
Wits students attending the self-defence seminar. Photo by Zebrena Ralph
The event happened over two days with August 4 reserved for women only, and August 6 for everyone.
39 094 contact crimes were reported between January 2026 and March 2026 according to South African Police Service in Gauteng.
Although 86% of the participants were women, the male participants also found the importance of attending this seminar. “It made me realise how easy it is to protect yourself in a fight and how to actually protect others if you ever in that situation” said participant Ayabonga Ndinga.
Reamogetse Molapisi, wrapping his hands to get ready to teach boxing related self defence skills. Photo by Zebrena Ralph
As gender-based violence and student safety concerns continue to remain a huge issue for the Wits community and South Africa at large, Lethabo Rabothata, the seminar organiser, saw the need to try and get Wits Tang Soo Do, Boxing and Karate together to exchange ideas on how students can defend themselves and hopefully save lives.
Rabothata highlighted the importance of male participation. “Where I’m from, GBV is crazy…Although, in terms of statistics, women are the most vulnerable in society…some men, when you get assaulted as a guy by a woman, it’s very hard for you to go out and say I was assaulted,” he said.
Recognising that men can also be victims of GBV, while encouraging them to safely intervene when witnessing violence against women, was one of the reasons the combat clubs partnered with the GEO. “If a woman is being assaulted, you need to be able to know what (to do), I can’t just sit and do nothing. I need to be able to step in and help” said Rabothata.
Wits student participating in the self-defence seminar. Photo by Zebrena Ralph
“We are grateful to have such initiatives taken by the Wits Sports in corelation [sic] with the GEO. We hope that it gets to increase every year, but the statistics of needing to defend yourself reduces,” Katlego Motaung, from the GEO, told Wits Vuvuzela.
Self-defence instructor demonstrating a self-defence move. By Zebrena Ralph
Rabothata expressed that he hopes that Wits would join this initiative to help expand these self-defence classes to not only students, but staff and outsiders also.
FEATURED IMAGE: Reamogetse Molapisi, Chair of the Wits Boxing Club. Photo by Zebrena Ralph.
Young researchers gather at Wits to present solutions to rising global issues.
Falling Walls Lab Gauteng was held at Wits where students competed for a spot on the international stage in Berlin.
The competition required pitchers to present an idea that addresses global challenges.
Researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs were given an opportunity to engage with people outside of their disciplines and institutions.
A Wits honours student, Alimerinda Mlambo, will represent Gauteng at the international Falling Walls Lab finale in Berlin after winning the provincial competition, with an AI-powered translation platform designed to break language barriers.
Picture of Alimerinda Mlambo, the winner of Falling Walls Lab Gauteng 2026, and her certificate & ticket to Berlin. Photo: Kerese Govender
The competition, held at Wits on August 5, saw about 20 students drawn from Wits, University of Pretoria, and Tshwane University of Technology, present their innovations aimed at tackling some of the country’s most difficult challenges.
The event was hosted in partnership with the DAAD Information Centre Johannesburg and the Falling Walls Foundation. Participants had just three minutes, including answering judges’ questions, to convince an expert jury that their pitch could help solve global issues.
Mlambo, an Information Systems honours student, took first place with her invention, eLingo AI, which aims to solve language exclusion in public spaces through real-time translations. She used a fictional character by the name of Lerato in her pitch, but the story was inspired by her lived experience of sitting through a conference presentation delivered in French that she could not understand.
When asked if this will cost human interpreters their jobs, Mlambo said, “We’re not trying to replace interpreters. We’re making language accessibility available to organisations that could not afford it otherwise.”
Unlike traditional interpretation services which rely on multiple interpreters, special equipment, and significant expenses and planning, eLingo offers an affordable alternative. The platform already includes all 11-official spoken South African languages and has attracted more than 100 beta users. Mlambo stated that the team has plans to expand to other languages.
She believes this kind of software is especially needed in South Africa, where only a small portion of the country’s population speaks English as a home language. “I want to create a future where people are no longer excluded from conversations they were meant to be a part of,” Mlambo said.
Dr Samia Chasi, Head of Wits Internationalisation and Strategic Partnerships Office and chair of the judging panel, said the competition is much more than selecting a winner. “It gives students an opportunity to present their own research to audiences beyond their own disciplines and institutions,” Chasi said.
“We have very creative and innovative communities in South Africa and Africa, and we can offer our own solutions to the rest of the world. We can’t always look at importing ideas,” Chasi said.
Among the interesting innovations was the third-place winning project by Cynthia Gwada which focused on an affordable diagnosis for sickle cell disease. The solution aims to expand access to rural areas in South Africa so “they don’t have to go to the cities with money that they don’t have,.” Gwada said.
Picture of Cynthia Gwada, third place winner of the Falling Walls Lab Gauteng 2026, and her certificate. Photo: Kerese Govender
Gwada also hopes to expand the diagnostics to other diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis, making diagnosis more affordable and accessible.
As Mlambo prepares to compete in Berlin, she hopes her success will inspire more young black women to pursue careers in male-dominated fields such as hers.
“Don’t wait for a seat at the table. Go and build a table,” she said.
FEATURED IMAGE: Picture of Falling Walls Lab Gauteng 2026 pamphlet and souvenir. Photo: Kerese Govender
The 70th Women’s Day Commemoration event celebrated the women of the Women’s March of 1956 and gave an opportunity for exhibitors to create awareness of their business and showcase their work.
The 70th Women’s Day Commemoration took place at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
Sophie Williams-De Bruyn, the last standing leader and organiser of the Women’s March of 1956 gave an address.
Wits Vuvuzela spoke to three different exhibitors to gain insight on how their exhibitions empower women.
National Women’s Day, Sunday August 9 2026, marked a significant milestone within the South African context as it was the commemoration of 70 years since the anti-pass law Women’s March of 1956, which took place at the self-same Union Buildings decades on.
The Women’s March of 1956 was a monumental turning point in South African history, highlighting the power of women uniting against injustice. 70 years later, thousands of people gathered to honour the 22 000 women who marched against Apartheid’s pass laws.
A photo of someone holding two South African flags. Photo: Sikelelekile Pahlana
The commemoration consisted of a women parade, speeches, live performances that celebrated culture and various exhibitions.
The theme of the event was “empowered women, empower the nation.” Sophie-Williams-De Bruyn, the last surviving woman from the leaders and organisers of the Women’s March of 1956, took to the stage during the formal proceedings.
Williams-De Bruyn said: “We were young, we were afraid, but we were unified and determined. When we stood undaunted in silence for 30 minutes, the world trembled, it took note. We confronted the Apartheid regime and boldly said: Strijdom, you have targeted the women, you have struck a rock, and we will crush you…
But today as I look at our beautiful country, my heart is heavy. The freedom we marched for, what we bled is in reality a painful paradox. How can we fully celebrate our past victories when our current realities are so deeply disappointing and distressful?”
Williams-De Bruyn specifically pointed out gender-based violence and femicide, entrenched poverty, lack of clean water, homelessness and systemic corruption.
Women’s Parade in honour of the women who marched in 1956. Photo: Sikelelekile Pahlana
Alongside Williams-De Bruyn’s address was Eugene Plaatjie who spoke on behalf of her late mother, Lilian Dierdericks, a leader and organiser of the 1956 march. She [Lilian Dierdericks] led the Eastern Cape women to this iconic march,” she said.
Plaatjie concluded: “Let us no more say four women led the march, but that they were indeed five. Let the false narrative die today and that we remain true to the struggle.”
Seko’s Crafts beanies on display. Photo: Sikelelekile Pahlana
Wits Vuvuzela engaged with three exhibitors on the lawns. The first, a crocheting collaboration between Seko’s Crafts (founded by Lebogang Klass) and Kgaetsi Hand Made (founded by Mokgaetši Mothwa). When asked about how they interpret the theme, “empowered women, empower the nation” in relation to their businesses, Mothwa shared: “This woman [referring to Lebogang] standing right in front of me, helped me realise my dream today. There was an opportunity to come to class to learn how to crotchet, and now I can happily and proudly say I’m running my own business today. So that for me is women empowerment, we care for one another. She did it for the community. Now I am able to buy bread and teach someone else.”
Klass said empowerment for her is about paying it forward through her teaching and mentorship. “The thing is now unemployment is too much… and mental health, the kids are always on social media, they do other things whereby they can learn to do this thing [crochet] and they don’t need to have a job to learn, they can employ themselves and employ other people,” she said.
The second exhibitors were Sharmila Mistry and Shamalin Singh, founders of Beyond Eternity, offering holistic therapies and products. They said their work is centred around “the evolution of women and women knowing their self-worth” through natural healing.
Lastly, were Ditsong: Museums of South Africa funded by the Department of Arts, Sports and Culture. Curator Tinyeko Ndlovu said, “You see the boards, they represent permanent exhibitions in our Military Museum, we did what we called, Women’s Role in the Liberation Armed Struggle. We are contributing to ensure that women were not excluded and showing that they were there. If you look, there’s people like Charlotte Maxeke, and Sarah Bartman.” He also shared that Ditsong will be hosting a panel on August 26, 2026, in Johannesburg to discuss Nokuthula Simelane, who disappeared in 1983.
A photo of the boards that were being showcased by Ditsong: Museums of South Africa. Photo: Sikelelekile Pahlana
The overall event reflected the importance of empowerment and honouring the work that women do from generation to generation. More notably, how there is still more work to be done for women to truly thrive in South Africa.
FEATURED IMAGE: A photo of people gathering to watch the women’s parade at the Union Buildings. Photo: Sikelelekile Pahlana
South African filmmakers encouraged to leverage verticals and microseries to tell specific local stories.
Phung delivers a masterclass on short-form filmmaking and the rise of the microseries.
‘Verticals’ are identified as the third audiovisual language, reshaping viewing habits with phone-first, bite-sized narratives.
Phung urges filmmakers to focus on local stories to unearth universal themes.
Quan Phung, a global media strategist, creative executive and producer with more than 20 years’ experience in international film and television, brought industry insights to Johannesburg this week. With credits including How I Met Your Mother, House and Arrested Development, Phung presented ideas on short-form filmmaking, mobile video films and microdramas.
Hosted in partnership with the US Consulate at Constitution Hill on August 6, the masterclass brought together filmmakers, writers and emerging storytellers to discuss how South African stories can be positioned for global audiences.
Audience members included filmmakers, writers and creatives. Photo: Hannah Brown
Phung highlighted three different audiovisual languages: film, television and the new third form ‘verticals’: the phone-first, short-form format that is quickly reshaping our viewing patterns.
This has resulted in the rise of microdramas, a fast-paced, character-driven, scripted narrative series. While the first microdramas probably make you think of soap-style, romantic shows, Phung says this is evolving to horror, crime, comedy and sci-fi.
Brooklyn Coffee Shop, for example, is a viral short-form series that delivers bite-sized stories through deadpan, quick-dry humour set in a busy cafe. Over the past two years, young audiences have tripled their share of viewership.
Social media platforms were once used to tease trailers, but short-form content is no longer used solely for marketing purposes; it is now becoming the ‘show’ itself. The ways we engage online have evolved, but it has also come with a cost.
A 2023 analysis linked short-form video use to reduced attention spans, and a 2026 Daily Maverick article warned, “Short-form videos are engineered to capture the brain’s craving for novelty”, and Psychologist Dr. Ken Fung compared micro-dramas to “snacking on junk food”, quick and addictive.
While AI is playing a role in production – with some microdramas made entirely by the machines – emotion, anticipation and soul remain the core of storytelling and are difficult to replace completely. This leaves space for South African filmmakers to create more people-led, authentic and durable stories.
Quan Phung presenting a masterclass on short-form filmmaking. Photo: Hannah Brown
“Make local stories so specific that they unearth universal themes and ideas that will travel,” Phung advised local filmmakers. Creatives need to ask themselves, “Why you? Why now?” What connection do you have, and what part of your story adds a sense of urgency to watch today?
Phung emphasised that, “It is a great time for South African filmmakers to push their stories forward.” Young audiences want to hear from new voices, and global platforms are looking for diverse perspectives.
FEATURED IMAGE: Quan Phung presenting industry insights in Johannesburg. Photo: Hannah Brown
Climate change is threatening South Africa’s books, archives, and history.
Books come from plants and they are damaged by water, insects, and humidity.
Archives preserve the stories and experiences that shape South Africa’s identity for future generations.
Climate threats to historical records grow.
When the University of Cape Town’s Jagger Library burned in 2021, South Africa lost priceless books, manuscripts and archives that could never be replaced. Literary scholar Isabel Hofmeyr says the disaster exposed an often-overlooked consequence of climate change: it is not only threatening ecosystems but also the books and records that preserve the nation’s history.
Speaking at a seminar at the Wits Club on 29 July, Hofmeyer said books are more than just paper-based objects. They exist within a broader ecosystem: paper is made from plants, insects can damage books, water can destroy archives, and environmental conditions influence how knowledge is produced and protected.
The loss of books and archives is about more than damaged paper. These records preserve South Africa’s history, culture and identity by documenting important events, people and communities. Researchers, students and future generations rely on these collections to understand the country’s past. When historical records are destroyed, valuable information is lost forever, making it harder to preserve stories that have shaped the nation.
Climate change is increasing the risk of extreme weather events such as wildfires, floods and rising temperatures, all of which can damage libraries and archives. Paper is vulnerable to heat, moisture and humidity, while insects and mould can further destroy fragile collections. As these environmental threats become more frequent, institutions responsible for protecting historical records face growing challenges in preserving them. Without proper conservation and protection, South Africa could lose more irreplaceable documents that hold historical, educational, and cultural value.
Hofmeyr said that “to reduce the risk of permanent loss, we need protection efforts” like improving storage conditions, monitoring humidity and temperature, and creating digital copies of important documents. She further added that it will also require funding and long-term planning to ensure valuable historical records remain available for future generations.
Speaking to WV after the seminar, Bachelor of Science student, Omphile Mankgaba, said the issue revealed an impact of climate change that many people do not usually consider. “I find it fascinating that in all the things we are looking at for climate change impacts, books are impacted,“ she said.
Master of Arts student Gareth Cruywagen said the discussion changed the way he thinks about environmental issues. “Climate change is destroying our history,” he said.
As climate change continues to threaten communities and the environment, protecting libraries, archives and historical records is becoming increasingly important. Preserving these collections will help ensure that South Africa’s history, knowledge, and cultural heritage remain available for future generations.
A rare volume is displayed with care ,showing how archives keep stories of the past alive for future generations. Photo by: Khutso Ngwatoana
FEATURE:A rare volume is displayed with care ,showing how archives keep stories of the past alive for future generations. Photo by: Khutso Ngwatoana
The future of mining is being shaped by more than what’s beneath the ground.
Wits celebrated 130 years of mining education at its annual Miner’s Day.
Students explored the future of mining through AI, sustainability and leadership.
Safety, community and “Never leave a miner behind” defined the day’s message.
Leadership, innovation and community development took centre stage at this year’s Miner’s Day celebration at Wits University.
“This is where we come together and remember how far we have come as the mining industry… I mean the blood and sweat of our ancestors built this City of Gold,” said final-year mining engineering student Kamogelo Mapeka.
Mining students gathered on Friday, July 31, to celebrate the university’s 130-year mining legacy at the annual event organised by the students in the mining engineering society (SMES).
Final-year student Alizwa Thwala said the global energy transition is reshaping the mining industry, with changing demand for minerals forcing engineers to rethink what and how they mine.
“Coal may be going down in demand, but copper is going up,“ he said.
Some students said adapting to these changes requires a broader set of skills than traditional mining roles once demanded.
Katlego Kekae said mining’s multidisciplinary nature prepares graduates for careers beyond production, from research to analysis, while equipping them to solve increasingly complex industry challenges.
Mapeka said artificial intelligence and mechanisation are already changing mining operations by improving safety and productivity. She believes the industry’s greatest transformation goes beyond technology.
Mining students during Wits University’s 130-year celebration of mining engineering. Photo: Asisipho Mpahleni
“We need philosophers and leaders who think of people,”Mapeka said. She hopes to use her future career to improve education and access to technology in her community, arguing that leadership should be measured by its impact beyond the mine.
That people-first approach was echoed by SMES president Ahluma Mngcushe, who said the industry’s future should prioritise safety above production.
“The right direction is zero harm and safety over productivity because everyone’s lives in the mining industry matter.”
Those values are also reflected in the School of Mining Engineering’s student culture of togetherness.
Third-year student and SMES co-opt member, Seshoka Ramohlale, said the society’s peer-support initiatives reflect its motto of “Never leave a miner behind.” She hopes to one day help struggling students through her own foundation, adding: “There is power in believing in someone. When someone believes in you, you are able to do well.”
FEATURED IMAGE: Mining engineering student holding up a handmade sign written “130 years of excellence”. Photo: Asisipho Mpahleni
The programme has changed the lives of thousands, one transplant at a time.
More awareness for liver disease and organ donation is needed to help provide more liver transplantation services.
Accessibility is needed through support from the government and other private medical institutions.
Over 1 million South Africans have been diagnosed with hepatitis – a viral infection affecting the liver – on an annual basis, which can potentially lead to advanced liver disease requiring transplantation.
According to the Liver Centre South Africa, the causes of liver diseases and illnesses can vary from acute liver failure, viral hepatitis or infections, with liver cirrhosis being the lead cause in sub-Saharan Africa.
The programme, established in 2004, is one of the few transplant units in the country and the broader sub-Saharan African region that provides living donor liver transplants in both adults and children.
Professor Jerome Loveland addressing attendees of 1000th liver transplant milestone celebration. Photo: Amahle Ngqwemla
Liver transplants are therefore important for removing the affected area and transplanting the healthy organ, to provide patients with a better chance at a longer and healthier life.
Of the 1000 who have gotten a second chance, 637 are adults and 363 children.
Professor Jerome Loveland, the academic head of transplantation at Wits, said none of it would be possible without willing patients and families.
“Where would our tale of hope be without our patients…recipients who entrusted their care with us and those donors whether deceased or living, who gave the gift of life by donating,” he said.
However, there are still concerns around accessibility as many patients do not live in Johannesburg where units like the liver transplant programme are available.
Professor Adam Mahomed – specialist gastroenterologist and hepatologist said, “We have to expand it [training in both public and private sector] and not be limited to just where we are.”
Liver and kidney transplant co-ordinator, Sinesha Moodley, told Wits Vuvuzela that working with public academic hospitals like Charlotte Maxeke helps patients who are unable to travel long distances for treatment.
Professor Charles Sanyika, interventional radiologist, said, “If you are in a big city like Johannesburg, you might know of a transplant unit that might be within reach for you. Yet, someone [doctors and patients] in areas like Matatiele or Qunu [Eastern Cape] might not be aware.”
Attendees at the Wits 1000th liver transplant milestone celebration. Photo: Amahle Ngqwemla
The programme has created relationships with other medical societies on campus like the Wits student surgical society where postgraduate medical students can engage with the clinical training programme.
Although the combination of academic medicine, scientific research, education and healthcare partners has been significant in reaching this milestone, Loveland urges young people to “familiarise themselves with organ donation and be open to considering being a donor should it happen to one’s family.”
FEATURED IMAGE: Professor Adam Mahomed delivering his speech at the Wits Transplant Unit milestone celebration. Photo: Amahle Ngqwemla
I have been to my fair share of career fairs. Usually, I would leave with my bag full of brochures, a notebook, several pens, and the comforting feeling that I had “networked”.
This year, I ditched the usual routine.
Instead of asking recruiters about graduate programmes or internships, I asked them
“What’s the biggest mistake students make when approaching recruiters?”
I spoke to 15 recruiters. Surprisingly, many of them repeated the same answers. Here are the seven mistakes they wish students would stop making:
1. Waiting until final year
Career fairs are not only for final-year students.
Some students wait until they are in their final year to start thinking about their next step. One recruiter, Bohlale Paile, put it perfectly: “University isn’t just about getting a qualification; it’s also about preparing yourself for the job market from day one.”
The students who benefit the most are not necessarily the ones with the highest marks. They are the ones who start early enough to ask, “What skills are you looking for?” Then they spend the next few years in university building exactly that.
Attend the fair in first year. Go again in second year, and by the time you are graduating, you won’t be scrambling to become employable – you’ll already be there.
2. Walking up to a stand unprepared
Walking up to a recruiter without researching the company is a bit like showing up for an exam without studying. You might survive, but you’re making life unnecessarily difficult for yourself.
Before approaching a stand, spend time researching the company. Research is part of the preparation. Don’t spend five minutes at a stand asking questions you could have answered on Google the night before.
Know what they do, what interests you about them and, more importantly, how your studies, experiences or interests could fit into their company. A conversation changes completely when you can say:
“I’ve read about your graduate programme, and I’m interested in the sustainability team. What would make someone a strong candidate?”
That leaves a far better impression than asking, “So…what does your company do?”
3. Students take, take, and take
One of the biggest mistakes recruiters mentioned was students who only take.
Brochures and QR codes? Thank you.
Freebies? Thank you.
Then they leave.
The best conversations work both ways.
Introduce yourself. Share what you’re studying. Explain why you stopped at their stand. Mention a skill, a project, or an experience you’re proud of. Recruiters should not have to interview you just to figure out who you are.
Think of it this way: you’re not only gathering information, but you’re also giving them a reason to remember you.
4. Playing it too safe
You’re in a competitive market. Whether we like it or not, we have to constantly prove ourselves. A career fair is one of the few spaces where you’re allowed to talk about yourself without it sounding arrogant.
Some students speak softly, give one-word answers, or seem afraid of saying the wrong thing, which makes it harder for recruiters to get to know them.
You don’t have to be the loudest person in the room, but don’t let fear stop you from showing who you are.
5. Chasing the salary before the opportunity
Yes, money matters.
But leading with, “How much does it pay?” can send the wrong message.
As Thando Nxumalo from Thyssenkrupp explained, it may make recruiters feel as though you’re only interested in what you can get, rather than how you can contribute and grow within the company.
There will be time to discuss salaries. At a career fair, focus on learning about the role and the opportunities available.
6. Forgetting that the little things count
Sometimes, the smallest details separate two equally strong candidates.
One recruiter shared a story about two interviewees who were almost impossible to choose between. After the interview, one candidate stood up and walked away. The other took a second to push their chair back under the table before leaving.
Guess who left the lasting impression?
That tiny gesture suggested something bigger: respect, thoughtfulness, and leaving a space better than you found it. The same goes for a smile, eye contact, good manners, and dressing intentionally.
Another recruiter recalled a student who arrived in a suit. When asked why, he simply smiled and said:
“I’m dressing for the position I want one day.”
It’s safe to say he was remembered.
7. Never asking how to improve
Career fairs aren’t just about proving yourself. They are also about growing.
If you’re struggling to land interviews, ask recruiters what you could improve.
If your CV isn’t working, ask why.
If your communication needs work, ask how to strengthen it.
Seeking feedback shows self-awareness and a genuine desire to learn qualities that every employer values.
After all, the strongest personal brands aren’t perfect. They’re constantly improving. Maybe you’re reading this before your first career fair. Maybe you’ve already graduated and think you’ve missed your chance.
Either way, these lessons don’t end when the exhibition stands go down. They follow you into networking events, job interviews, and every professional conversation you’ll have.
So, the next time you walk up to a recruiter, don’t just think about what you want to get from them.
Think about what they’ll remember about you.
FEATURED IMAGE: Image of Students engaging with recruiters at the Wits General Career Fair. By: Asisipho Mpahleni
Activists protest to challenge mounting xenophobic violence.
Students and academics at Wits University protest against the escalating violence faced by migrants.
Demonstrators urge law enforcement to treat targeted vigilante attacks as hate crimes.
The picket highlights the need to counter xenophobic hate through conversation and empathy.
A group of activists gathered on Friday outside Wits University’s Jan Smuts entrance, staging a picket against the escalating wave of anti-migrant violence and xenophobic intimidation sweeping through local communities.
Protesters transformed the university entrance into a focal point for advocacy, displaying prominent banners and hand-painted signs condemning anti-migrant violence. One sign targeted the xenophobic rhetoric of Gayton McKenzie, accusing him of fueling an ‘Apart-hate,’ while others declared, ‘Targeting undocumented migrants is a hate crime’ and ‘No one is illegal.’
This demonstration was organised as a joint effort between Community Arts Mobilisation Project (CAMP), BDS Coalition, Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia, Wits University Palestine Committee (WAPC) and Siyafana Sonke.
As attacks on migrants grow increasingly hostile, demonstrators call on law enforcement agencies to actively prosecute those inciting violence.
One protestor, Professor Marie Huchzermeyer, said the attacks constitute hate crimes. “This includes not only targeting people on the basis of their culture or country of origin, but also their migration status,” she states.
Dean Hutton, artistic director of CAMP, underscored the role of creative movements in driving social change, noting that artistic expression can “appeal to the soft parts of humans that rhetoric does not touch or move to action.”
Huchzermeyer echoes this view, stating “There is a view in Siyafana Sonke that I am drawn to which tries to win over the adversaries, making it a campaign of love rather than confrontation.”
Picture of two activists holding a banner that reads “No one is illegal”. Photo: Jamie Ho.
The picket is one of several planned demonstrations aimed at countering xenophobic narratives across South Africa. However, with tensions continuing to simmer across multiple provinces, activists acknowledge they face sustained pressure as they push back against organised anti-migrant sentiment.
FEATURED IMAGE: Picture of demonstrator holding a sign reading “Targeting undocumented migrants is a hate crime”. Photo: Jamie Ho.
Professional and ethical conduct are key to bringing back honour to the legal profession Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga says.
Justice Madlanga made a call for action, stating that honour must be brought back to the legal profession.
The Book Legal Ethics in South Africa is the first of its kind in contemporary times as the last book was published 40 years ago.
A call was made for legal ethics to be made compulsory in the country’s LLB curriculum.
In the plight of unlawfulness, greed and rapid corruption that constantly dominates current affairs, as seen in the ongoing Madlanga Commission, the book Legal Ethics in South Africa is timely and necessary. The book seems to offer a glimpse of hope urging for a transformation that is rooted in prioritising legal ethics.
On 18 June 2026, Wits University hosted a book launch for Legal Ethics in South Africa edited by Law Professor Helen Kruuse from Rhodes University. The introductory remarks were given by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, who is also currently the chancellor for Rhodes University.
Madlanga emphasised how ethical leadership, integrity and courage are essential for the preservation of the constitution and South African society at large. Additionally, ethics and the constitutional mandate of legal practitioners must extend to people beyond legal practitioners. “Legal ethics in South Africa must be welcomed enthusiastically,” he said.
Madlanga argued that legal ethics needs to be compulsory in the LLB curriculum nationwide as opposed to having it as an optional elective. He said, “legal ethics is not just about compliance, it is about understanding and making moral judgment.”
Madlanga said “ordinary people have a general view of how there is no honour in the legal profession… most people understand it as a profession where people do as they please.” As a result of this connotation, Madlanga pushed for people within the legal field to change this narrative by acting honourably and ethically.
The significance of the book lies in the fact that it is the first book of Legal Ethics in South Africa in contemporary times since the last was published 40 years ago, the book launch celebrated the very first edition of the recently published book. Yet, that is not all, an important aspect of the book is the manner in which it shapes the minds of current and future legal scholars and practitioners which directly impacts how law functions within South Africa.
Facilitator, Professor Helen Kruuse reminded the audience that ethics informs the broader social and psychological context, as she reflected on how the book itself is divided into three parts: Academia, Judiciary and Practice.
At the close of the evening, Klaaren noted that the book is the “start of a conversation, centering in ethical law.” Although the book is centred in the legal context and field, its existence may be a reckoning of sorts for those in the legal profession and society alike.
FEATURED IMAGE:Legal Ethics in South Africa book cover. Photo: LexisNexis Website
June 16 marks Youth Day in South Africa, commemorating the 1976 Soweto Uprising. Fifty years ago, thousands of primary and high school pupils marched against the apartheid government’s imposition of Afrikaans as the medium of instruction. What began as a peaceful protest, which was meant to end at Orlando Stadium with a rally, was cut short on the way when police opened fire, killing hundreds of students.
On June 16, 2026, hundreds of people, including university students and members of civil society, gathered in Soweto to retrace the original route and “finish what was started”. The march honoured the courage of the 1976 generation and stands as a reminder that their fight for freedom and justice continues to inspire South Africa’s youth today.
Opening speeches before the march. Photo: Hannah Brown
Youth walking through Soweto. Photo: Hannah Brown
March to “finish what was started”. Photo: Hannah Brown
Youth Day March. Photo: Hannah Brown
Youth Day – commemorating the 1976 Soweto Uprising. Photo: Hannah Brown
‘We are what was dreamed’ poster. Photo: Hannah Brown
In 1976, black students bravely marched against the apartheid government. Photo: Hannah Brown
Marching toward Orlando Stadium. Photo: Hannah Brown
FEATURED IMAGE: Opening speeches before the march on June 16, 2026. Photo: Hannah Brown
Graduates remain the least unemployed, but rising job pressure is keeping more students at university. For many, a degree is no longer the finish line.
Unemployment statistics have risen across all categories.
Graduate unemployment has risen slightly, but graduates are largely unaffected.
But some students are pursuing postgraduate studies as they can’t find jobs.
According to Statistics South Africa’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey over 340 000 more people in South Africa now sit without work. University graduates still have the lowest unemployment rate in South Africa, even though it has picked up by 1.8% in the first quarter of the year
Overall, the graduate unemployment rate is 12.2%. Reflecting the growing pressure of South Africa’s competitive and slow-growing labour market. But graduates remain significantly less likely to be unemployed than people with and without matric certificates.
Yet, behind these statistics, another trend has emerged: more students are choosing to stay in university and pursue postgraduate studies. The question is: why?
A graph showing the postgraduate enrolment percentage of the total student enrolment at Wits since 2019. Graphic by Zebrena Ralph
Lindelwe Cili, a team leader for Career Services at Counselling and Careers Development Unit (CCDU), described the link between unemployment and pursuing postgraduate studies as something that does not have a straightforward “yes or no” answer.
She says graduates are not pursuing post graduate studies solely to avoid unemployment. Instead, the decision is shaped by a mix of career requirements, competitiveness in the job market, and individual goals. “Whenever we engage with students, I don’t think we see them using postgrad as a fallback option”, Cili told Wits Vuvuzela.
“One can pursue post-grad to deepen their specialization in the field…and also align with what the industry wants. Also, it depends on the type of degree programme that you are in. If you are in a professional degree, pursuing post-grad would be based on career goals”. This highlights an important nuance: postgraduate studies are often a strategic career move, not a delay tactic.
For some students, furthering their studies is not optional. Honours in Clinical Psychology student, Thabang Ramafoko, said furthering his studies is essential to achieving his career goals. “I want to be a clinical psychologist and that (post graduate studies) is the only way.”
However, the job market still plays a significant role in students’ decisions.
“I furthered my studies because of the job market and because of the degree I done. I did a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Environmental Studies…You have to further your studies and specialise more so now I am doing my honours in Geography. It increases my chances of employment and also, I just want to be disgustingly educated,” said Honours in Geography student Kamogelo Mokoena.
For some people, the question is no longer whether to study or not, but how much further they need to go.
FEATURED IMAGE: A picture of the Postgraduate Club at the University of Witwatersrand. Image: Zebrena Ralph
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, […]
