A new political society has its sights set on changing the dynamic of student representation in the university’s decision-making processes.
The uMkhonto weSizwe Student Movement is officially registered as a student society.
They plan to represent marginalised societies on campus.
Some students see MKSM as a chance for deeper political engagement.
As of May 20, 2025, the uMkhonto weSizwe Student Movement (MKSM) was officially registered as a political society at Wits University.
The Dean of Student Affairs at Wits University, Jerome September, confirmed that the movement met the requirements for registration. These include a constitution aligned with that of the Student Representative Council (SRC), a motivational letter, and at least 50 student signatures.
“Should there be a challenge in terms of the application, feedback is given, and they are allowed to appeal. The MKSM met the requirements and was thus approved,” he said.
Wits convenor, Mthembeni Mzobe, said the movement faced delays and only received approval during the moratorium period, which temporarily restricts political activity on campus.
“We arrived late. Now we need to sort out documents while other student organisations are hitting the ground,” he said.
Despite the delays, Mzobe said MKSM plans to engage communities often excluded from mainstream campus politics. “We will approach churches and traditional societies on campus. They have constituencies but no representation,” he added.
In an interview with Wits Vuvuzela, Regional MKSM convenor Nkuna Gift said their goal is to “empower students and provide a platform for their voices,” while aligning with the party’s national vision of economic transformation and social justice.
The national deputy coordinator of MKSM Siphesihle Sibande engages with students in front of the Umthombo Building. Photo: LikhoMbuka
In discussion with various students on campus, many welcomed the formation of MKSM, they said it reflects the diversity of political views on campus.
Third-year student Sindiswa Zondo said “It would be ignorant to think there can be space constraints. Wits students come from all walks of life.”
When asked whether MKSM would be contesting in the upcoming SRC elections, Mzobe declined to comment but said they would “expand political representation” on campus. The 2025 Wits SRC elections are expected to take place in September.
FEATURED IMAGE: A member of the MK Student Movement wears the party’s T-shirt on Wits campus. Photo: Likho Mbuka
A 12-year-old who never let go of her dream and is now a household name.
After two decades of chasing news, Chriselda Lewis is back in the classroom, now chasing assignment deadlines. Wits University was always her dream institution, but her parents could not afford to pay for the fees, so now she is paying her own way.
Born and bred in Mthata, Eastern Cape, where opportunities are scarce, Lewis was fortunate that her primary school came to her rescue.
“I was told that I was a shy kid; however, at the age of 12 years old there was a television scout that came to my school. My teacher selected me to become a children’s show presenter on Transkei Broadcasting Corporation.”
The moment she stood in front of the camera, she knew exactly what she wanted to be: “I liked the lights, I liked the camera, and I thought this is exactly what I’m going to become.”
Chriselda at the Drum Room, Wits Department. Photo: Dikeledi Ramabula
Lewis completed her undergraduate studies in 2002 at Border Technikon, now known as Walter Sisulu University. After completing her studies, she began her career as an intern at The Sowetan in 2003.
“Working at The Sowetan was very challenging, as it was where I applied everything I had learned in tertiary education. It was also exciting because I had the opportunity to work with veteran journalists who had worked during the apartheid era, such as John Dludlu,” she said.
‘While I may not remember the first story I worked on at The Sowetan, I do remember cracking my first big story in 2004. One of them was the kidnapping and murder of university student Leigh Matthews,” she says.
As her career progressed from The Sowetan, she went on to work at the South African Press Association, followed by Talk Radio 702, then the SABC, where she made her first television appearance on SABC Africa.
In 2023, Lewis won the Journalist of the Year award in the Television: In-Depth/ Features/ Interviews category. Other career highlights include her coverage of the fall of Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe, the Oscar Pistorius trial and reporting on the earthquake in Türkiye-Syria.
Lewis always wanted to return to school, but never got the opportunity because her work life is demanding:
“As I speak to you, I’m in Bloemfontein to cover the memorial service of the police officers whose bodies were found in the Hennops River. Due to workload and insane working hours, I just never thought I’d find the opportunity to go back to school”.
Lewis says despite having 22 years of experience in her field, it doesn’t hurt to equip herself with better skills so that one day she can be a leader in the newsroom, and to do so, she must equip herself with the necessary qualifications.
But being back in the classroom hasn’t been easy. “If you give me a report I can do it for you, if you want me on TV, I can do it. I’ve moved into a different terrain doing academic writings which is a scary process,” she says.
When asked to share wisdom for aspiring journalists, Chriselda says, “This is not child’s play! Journalism is hard work; it is long hours. You are not going to survive if you don’t love this job. You have to love what you do!”
FEATURED IMAGE: Chriselda Lewis standing outside of the Wits Centre for Journalism. Photo: Dikeledi Ramabula
Those living with the misunderstood condition face social stigma and a lack of support in public clinics and hospitals.
Wits students and mental health experts gathered to challenge the stigma and silence around bipolar disorder.
The event revealed that there are serious shortages of mental health resources in South Africa’s public healthcare system.
Personal testimonies from people living with bipolar highlighted why breaking the silence must go hand in hand with upholding their human dignity.
The extreme highs and dark lows of bipolar disorder often make for an isolating experience of living with this condition. To break the silence, Wits Pathology Society brought together students, experts, and advocates to tackle stigma and talk about the challenges of treating this mental illness.
At the event held on Thursday, May 15, experts emphasised that talking about the impact of bipolar disorder is important, but the way we do so also matters.
Dr Vinola Poliah, a psychiatrist at Sterkfontein Hospital and Akeso Crescent Clinic, stressed that using words like “crazy” or “unstable” to describe someone living with bipolar is not only hurtful but also reinforces negative stereotypes.
Another issue that was raised is the limited access to mental health services in South Africa. There is a shortage of psychiatrists, especially in the public sector. Poliah said, “twenty percent of South Africans will experience a depressive disorder at least once in their life.”
“The most frightening statistic of all for me is that twenty-three South Africans attempt or commit suicide every day, and with bipolar disorder we have the highest rates of suicide.”
Many people diagnosed with bipolar disorder struggle to access a mental health professional in times of crisis or to receive ongoing support, such as therapy and sometimes costly medication, which may worsen their experience of living with this condition.
“I have been to hospitals where I can sit an entire day and wait with a person needing psychiatric assistance,” said Mary-Anne Dobrovic, manager at the South African Schizophrenia & Bipolar Disorders Alliance.
“There are just too many patients for the number of doctors. Our doctors in most of the clinics and government hospitals are overrun,” she continued.
The event also provided a safe space for people living with bipolar to share their experiences. Theuns Lombard, a former army nurse and paramedic, shared his story of being diagnosed with bipolar hypomania more than twenty years ago.
He made a point to emphasise that this disorder is not his identity. “I have bipolar disorder, but I don’t suffer from it. I am not suffering. This is a diagnosis, it doesn’t define me,” he said. Monthly counselling sessions and periodic checkups with a psychiatrist to tweak his medication as needed, help keep Lombard more balanced.
The event challenged the idea that bipolar is about mere mood swings. It’s a serious condition that deserves real support, not just sympathy. Change starts with how we speak, but it can’t stop there. It must reach the healthcare system, meant to effectively care for those living with the disorder.
FEATURED IMAGE: An estimated20% of South Africans experience a depressive disorder at least once in their lives, with bipolar affecting 4% of the population. Graphic: Mbali Khumalo.
Wits students may be at risk as non-students reportedly gain access to campus through university buses, exposing a security loophole in campus security.
A growing security loophole in the Wits bus system could endanger thousands of students who use it.
Over 30 non-registered students removed from buses in recent weeks.
Wits CPS is actively working on long-term solutions to close the loophole and restore full safety for all students and staff.
Inter-campus buses are meant to be a safe and convenient way for Witises to get around daily, but lax security controls have raised concerns about access and safety.
Despite millions spent on biometric security systems at access points across campuses, unauthorised individuals have reportedly entered Wits `University premises through the buses.
Sylvan Guingohn, Crime Prevention & Liaison Manager at Wits Campus Protection Services (CPS), confirmed “approximately 35 individuals who were not registered Wits students were removed from buses in recent weeks.”
This has sparked alarm among students, particularly as these buses travel between five Wits campuses and two public stops outside campus to load and offload students, including Rosebank mall on weekends.
“It’s rare to find a security guard on the bus,” said Mpho Mphateng, a second-year Bachelor of Education student. “Mostly, it’s just the driver. It would be best if someone was there to check our student cards all the time. We don’t completely feel safe.”
Campus Protection Services acknowledges the concern. Mr John Sibisi, Deputy Director of CPS, responded to questions by noting that officers are sometimes deployed to buses, but not consistently.
“CPS conducts random deployments of officers on buses informed by crime and incident trends. While we may not always have officers in every bus, our strategy is always guided by current security risks,” said Sibisi.
He further confirmed that CPS is actively working with service providers to implement a permanent access control system that will ensure only authorised students can use the bus service. However, this solution may take time to roll out.
“Meanwhile, we continue to run safety awareness campaigns via house committee meetings, libraries, and VOW FM to sensitise students about safety precautions,” Sibisi added.
Wits CPS has urged students to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to their 24-hour control room at 011 717 4444 / 6666, or directly to security staff on campus.
FEATURED IMAGE: Photo of a Wits Bus. Photo: Phenyo Selinda
Serious journalism is losing ground as short-form videos increasingly become the public’s primary source of news
Graphic content and privacy violations raise serious ethical concerns
Popularity on the app overrides accuracy
TikTok delivers fast, engaging news but lacks fact-checking
TikTok is designed to promote short videos, catering to a shorter attention span among its target audience. In a few scrolls on the app, one can learn about natural disasters in other countries, corruption, and bombing of ATM’s etc.
Scale showing the preferred platforms for news consumption among younger generations. Photo: Dikeledi Ramabula
At first the app was used for comedy, dance trends and lip-syncing challenges but now TikTok is changing the way media works. As more users make use of it for news, an important question emerges: is this good for journalism?
The answer is complicated. Comment sections of TikTok news creators like Jaxx Amahle, Amani Dube and Dylan Page, have people saying, “I don’t watch news at all, I follow you to get latest updates” and some say, “You make news sounds fun. That is why I follow you because generally news is boring”.
TikTok’s reach is indisputable, with the dominant presence of Gen Z, it has the power to shape public opinion faster than traditional outlets. In time of crisis, from the war in Gaza to wildfires in California, the app has outpaced traditional media providing unfolding, raw, and unfiltered events. The users offer real time flow of information that is immediate and feels authentic.
However, this is where the danger lies. On TikTok there is no fact-checking, which makes it easy for inaccurate information to spread faster. The accounts that have a large following and number of likes, are most likely to be seen as credible meaning people believe what is shared on such accounts without questioning.
It is difficult to tell the difference between what is true and what is not from TikTok citizen journalists. This comes with several risks because if individuals don’t recognize when something is false, a lot of damage can be done like the spread of misinformation, damage to reputation etc.
Some of these creators share information inaccurately and unethically. For example, they often reveal the names of sexual assault victims, along with where they go to school or work.
Sometimes, while scrolling through the app, I come across graphic footage of people bleeding to death at accident scenes, all because so-called “citizen journalists” feel the need to show every detail. Imagine being a parent and opening the app only to see your child dead in such a scene—how does one ever heal from something like that?
What is undeniable is that many find TikTok a convenient and fun platform to get news. But it is also true that some of the so-called news may be misinformation or disinformation. Thus, good fact-based journalism remains relevant regardless of the increasing influence of platforms such as TikTok.
FEATURED IMAGE: Scale showing the preferred platforms for news consumption among younger generations. Photo; Dikeledi Ramabula
Legendary storytelling through soothing melodies, a journey you don’t want to miss
If you’re an old soul like me, you will appreciate Ringo Madlingozi’s new album, Ikhwelo, a musical feast for the ears, with rich instrumentals and soulful vocals that speak directly to the heart.
I must admit, it took some time to get used to the new style. Some tracks feel a bit too different from Ringo’s original sounds.
The very first song, uQamata is quite peculiar, with beats and underpinning riffs. Ringo shows off his vocals with a subtle vibrato pitch, adding warmth and expressiveness. I listened to more and appreciated the nuances.
For every song the instruments are given so much room to shine, creating a soundscape that’s both soothing and thought-provoking.
The song Hello Bhabha starts with a catchy whistle (ikhwelo) and follows to a chorus “Hello baby, hello dali, hello lovey, hello sthandwa sam, kudala ndilindile” that adds a touch of charm. I was taken aback and reminded of his earlier hit, Into Yam featuring Oliver Mtukudzi,which explores the perks of a sweet, innocent relationship.
Although this new album is more laid back and mature, we still find elements of melodies, instruments that shine with delicate guitar work, subtle percussion that adds depth to music and breath-taking harmonies in the background.
You might expect a more upbeat and energetic sound, however with Ikhwelo, settle in and indulge into a more mellow vibe, the perfect antidote to a busy world.
Vuvu rating 8/10
FEATURED IMAGE: Ringo Madlingozi’s new album cover image. Photo: Ringo Madlingozi’s Instagram
Pope Leo XIV may be American, but his impact will be felt across the globe. He is here to lead all Catholics, not just his countrymen.
As a lifelong Catholic, I too watched the chimney of the Sistine Chapel on May 8, with anticipation. After one unsuccessful vote, white smoke finally billowed, the bells rang, and the Catholic world waited to meet its new pope.
This moment, usually marked by unity and reverence, quickly shifted into a debate.
Not about faith, but about nationality.
For the first time in history, the Pope is American, and this has stoked political anxiety. Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, has barely had time to settle into the papacy, and his past is already being dissected with a fervour we haven’t seen before, for a new pope.
His voting history and perceived ideological leanings are being examined with a scrutiny that one would expect for a political candidate, not for a faith leader. Those doing the digging are not just internet sleuths or political fanatics. Respected media houses have joined in too, legitimising this politicisation of the new pope.
Al Jazeera reported that according to Pope Leo ‘s voter information, his party affiliation is undeclared, but “he voted in the 2012, 2014 and 2016 Republican primaries”, which implies a connection with the Republican party. A primary is an election that political parties in the United States use to select candidates for the general election. The New York Times, ABC News and NBC News also reported on the Pope’s recent voting record.
This response is not entirely surprising. America has become an extremely politically divisive nation, so a global figure of authority coming from that landscape is bound to be scrutinised.
Understanding the Pope’s views on contentious issues like abortion, violence caused by war or political strife, contraception, refugees, or the role of women in the church is very important. After all, these views will ultimately shape the direction he chooses to steer the church. They will also impact every single member, especially young Catholics like me, who reconcile their faith with modern life every day.
However, it is important that his views are not seen as an extension of the American voice.
The Pope is not a symbol of American Catholicism. He is the spiritual leader of over a billion Catholics across the world. Reducing his leadership to being defined by American political discourse undermines the universality of the Catholic church.
The Pope’s influence is rooted in Rome, not in Washington.
Roman Catholic values should be the foundation of his leadership, not his personal beliefs (whatever they may be).
In his first Sunday address on May 11, I was impressed that he called for a ceasefire in Gaza, boldly saying “I would also like to address the powerful people of the world, repeating the always current call, no more war”.
On May 12, during the first news conference of his pontificate, he reaffirmed the church’s solidarity with journalists who have been imprisoned for calling out injustices. As a budding journalist, this endeared me to him to even more.
I anticipate that he will remain focused on the moral issues of our time, as he should.
The relevance of his leadership will be measured not by his country of origin, but by how well he advocates for justice, dignity for all, and peace on Earth.
FEATURED IMAGE: Mbali Khumalo, 2025 Wits Vuvuzela journalist. Photo: File/Paul Botes.
“No means no” was just the beginning — last Thursday at Wits, the School of Arts and Gender Equity Office joined forces to challenge silence, spark dialogue, and rethink consent in a powerful campus event.
WSOA students reflected on blurred boundaries in movement and performance training.
GEO outlined intersectional harm and shared tools for survivor support.
The seminar encouraged open dialogue, aimed to build a safer, conscious campus culture.
A GEO branded stress ball. Photo: Bontle Malowa
“A Conversation on Sexual Harassment” brought together students and staff for an open dialogue on how harassment manifests in the classroom, rehearsal spaces, and beyond. While the GEO presented definitions and data, it was the personal testimonies that brought the discussion to life.
First-year theatre student Jade Scheepers said, “Amongst students, consent is rarely asked, especially in movement classes.” She appreciated how the seminar acknowledged that harassment “hits differently” depending on one’s identity and experience.
The GEO emphasised that gender-based harm includes verbal, non-verbal, and physical misconduct, and it disproportionately impacts students across intersections of race, gender, and sexuality. Intern Bhekamndeni Mkhwanzi explained that GEO’s role goes beyond policy: “It’s about building an ecosystem where survivors feel seen, heard, and supported.”
The university collects and tracks all GBH/V-related complaints, analysing trends to inform and improve intervention initiatives. It provides a safe and confidential space with full-time counselling support for complainants and victims, ensuring they receive the care and guidance they need. Complainants and victims are confidentially advised of their available options, and formal complaints against staff or students accused of GBH/V are managed through an independent disciplinary procedure. Additionally, the university actively engages in advocacy efforts to promote gender equality.
First-year theatre student Sharon Nienaber, the session was particularly relevant to arts students, who often navigate blurred lines of physical contact during theatre and performance training. “This wasn’t just an academic talk, it was a reckoning,” she said.
Mkhwanzi says it is working to improve peer counselling, anonymous reporting, and trauma-informed support. As one student put it, the space offered “validation” and a renewed call for safer, more conscious creative spaces,” said Saijal Pather first year theatre student. The seminar provided a clear and comprehensive definition of Gender-based-harm (GBH) as “any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature—verbal, non-verbal, or physical.” It also underscored the significance of intersectionality, highlighting how harassment disproportionately affects individuals whose identities intersect across race, gender, sexuality, disability, and religion.
By the end of the session, the seminar had done more than educate. It had sparked a collective discomfort necessary for change and opened the door to ongoing conversations.
FEATURED IMAGE: Wits School of Arts students in the seminar. Photo: Bontle Malowa
Wits University’s ongoing biometric access system failures continue to frustrate students and staff, despite earlier promises of improvements.
Wits University’s biometric system continues to malfunction, causing daily access disruptions for students and staff.
Campus control is in the process of replacing the old system.
System failures lead to late arrivals, restricted access to resources, and safety concerns.
Nearly a year after the University of the Witwatersrand acknowledged challenges with its biometric access control system, students and staff are still facing ongoing disruptions that are affecting campus life and safety.
In May 2024, Wits Vuvuzelareported on the instability of the campus control system due to “unexpected software challenges.” At the time, the university proposed interim solutions, including software upgrades and the installation of additional servers.
Almost a year later, the situation has shown little improvement. Students and staff continue to experience difficulties when entering or exiting campuses.
Deputy Director of Campus Control Services (CPS), Mafihla Maleka, confirmed that CPS is currently in the process of replacing the old access control system with “a new, upgraded system.”
“This transition is expected to take approximately fourteen months to complete,” said Maleka. “During this period, Wits patrons may continue to experience some inconvenience when entering or exiting campus premises.”
To help ease the burden during this transitional phase, CPS has stationed personnel at various access points to manually assist with entry and exit.
Students like Reneilwe Kgosietsile and Minentle Mbatha have expressed their frustrations. They say the disruptions often cause them to arrive late for lectures and tests. A major complaint is the random enforcement of student cards, even though the biometric system doesn’t rely on them.
“I don’t live at res. When I forget my student card at home, I must go to extreme lengths to prove that I am a student for security to let me in,” said Mbatha. She also noted that this discourages students from accessing important campus resources. “It even becomes a whole process just to go to the library without your card.”
Security personnel have also voiced concerns. One guard, who requested anonymity, explained that the malfunctions are due to “network issues.” This has implications beyond inconvenience. “What will happen if a student is being chased to be mugged and when they get to the gate it’s not working and there’s no security?” the guard asked.
As the university continues the 14-month system upgrade, the Wits community remains hopeful for a swift resolution. For now, patience is wearing thin and the call for more reliable solutions is louder.
FEATURED IMAGE: A photo of a non-functional gate at Wits. Photo: Nthabiseng Baloyi
The declining diplomatic relationship between the United States and South Africa makes for a complex and self-introspective experience for American students in Johannesburg.
The Trump administration prompts many American students to question their identity in the global context.
American students living in Johannesburg have found the experience thought-provoking.
Many of the students do not see themselves as ambassadors of their nation.
With one post on X on February 3, the bilateral relationship between the United States of America (USA) and South Africa was fractured.
US President Donald Trump posted an accusation claiming that the South African government is engaging in discriminatory behaviour towards white South Africans and turning a blind eye to the “human rights violations” occurring in the country.
Trump went on to announce his plan to withhold all funding from the nation – a promise he has fulfilled while making further untruthful claims about South Africa.
Despite the future of the bilateral relationship between the United States and South Africa being unknown, tourism and education continue to bring Americans to the country.
Wits Vuvuzela spoke to some American students living and studying in Johannesburg to get a sense of how they feel being American in Johannesburg in this unprecedented time.
Sahar Carter, a Californian native pursuing their master’s degree in creative writing, said, “I personally don’t see myself as an ambassador of my nation.
“My criticism of the US also spurred me wanting [sic] to come to South Africa.”
Carter’s Johannesburg experience during this time has birthed a desire in her to explore the specifics of her African roots.
“I do feel like since being here I’ve felt emboldened to become an ambassador for black Americans, I guess I feel very defensive about my culture,” they said.
Carter’s defensiveness also stems from their realisation of a perception from some South Africans, expressed especially on social media platforms, about African Americans being ignorant and stupid.
They attribute the sentiment to Africa’s misrepresentation in American media and the fact that the average American interacts with ‘censored’ media.
“ We don’t easily have ways of hearing about the rest of the world that doesn’t filter through specifically American media,” said Carter.
American students from a joint exchange program between Pitzer College in California and Wits University under the University’s Centre for Diversity studies also shared their thoughts.
Feven Aklilu , an American student of Ethiopian descent, opened up about her experience of never truly feeling American until she was confronted with the reality of the state of her nation while living in Johannesburg.
“Being in this space and trying to figure that out has made it very glaringly apparent that as much as I view myself separate from America and its problems and the consequences it brings, I’m still a living manifestation of that when I’m here and there’s a weird sense of not wanting to interact with that,” she said.
Another member of the programme, Laine May says she finds that South Africans become more receptive to connecting once they figure out their respective political standings.
“Conversations open up once they realise, oh you’re not that kind of American or whatever the current idea of what an American is.”
Laine says that she doesn’t feel sad about actively disassociating from her American identity, but finds sadness in the idea that being American is now associated with the qualities of its current administration.
She also felt disheartened after taking note of the way the United States is still romanticised in educational spaces in Southern Africa and how that contributes to Africa’s “brain drain”.
“As an American, I wish the American dream was something that was real for me and is a possibility for these children that want something bigger than they have now,” she said.
Despite these sentiments, the consensus among the American students interviewed was that they enjoy living in Johannesburg and that this experience is one that will change their perspectives as American students for life.
FEATURED IMAGE: An illustration of the flags of the United States and South Africa slightly overlapping, with the Johannesburg skyline at the bottom. Graphic: Sechaba Molete
Wits University academic confronts the ongoing dispossession of Black communities in post-apartheid South Africa in new book.
Growing up under the shadow of stark inequality, Dr. Dineo Skosana developed a lifelong commitment to understanding and challenging the historical forces that shaped them. Now a lecturer in politics and researcher at the Society, Work and Politics Institute (SWOP) at Wits University, she weaves her academic and activist role around the themes of land, memory and social justice.
These are not just abstract ideas in her work, they are rooted in South Africa’s contemporary reality. “There’s a dangerous and growing discourse that says Black people don’t need land back, just jobs,” she says.
Dr. Dineo Skosana. Photo: Supplied
For Skosana, this narrative is both ahistorical and harmful. Her work consistently pushes back against such distortions, asserting that land is not only an economic asset but also a site of identity, heritage, and spiritual connection.
In her newly released book, No Last Place to Rest: Coal Mining and Dispossession in South Africa, Dr. Skosana reveals how coal extraction continues to dispossess Black communities, not just physically, but spiritually. “Dispossession is a continuing lived experience,” she explains. As South Africa faces both an energy crisis and an unresolved land reform debate, her book arrives at a crucial moment. It challenges whose knowledge and experiences are centred in national policy and how we define the meaning of land.
As a Black academic working in a historically white-dominated institution, Skosana has had to navigate systemic barriers. When she first entered Wits as a student, there were few Black South African lecturers. “Academia was associated with whiteness,” she recalls.
That legacy, she says, still lingers. “Many of us are challenging this,” she says. Urging senior African scholars to mentor emerging academics rather than gatekeep. “To bask in the company of European scholars can’t be our measure of success. We must build legacies with our communities and younger Black scholars.”
Her teaching is deeply informed by her research and by the knowledge of African communities themselves, co-producers of the insights she brings into the classroom. “Understanding the correlation between research and teaching maintains the integrity of what I teach,” she says.
Dr. Skosana’s journey is a reminder that academic spaces can be sites of resistance, and that knowledge especially when grounded in lived experience, remains a powerful tool for justice.
FEATURED IMAGE: Photo of No Last Place to Rest: Coal Mining and Dispossession in South Africa book. Photo: Supplied by Dr. Skosana
University students in South Africa, like their counterparts globally, experience substantial mental health issues characterised by high levels of psychological distress and limited access to professional help.
A nurse allegedly dismissed a student experiencing depression, advising that more sleep would resolve her condition.
A student having an anxiety attack was allegedly scolded by a nurse while seeking help.
The Centre scheduled additional sessions for the student to resolve the matter, but she never showed up.
The student raised serious concerns about the quality of mental health support provided by Wits Campus Health and Wellness Centre.
“Sister Simangele Sitoe told me I was lazy and dismissed me with sleeping pills and antidepressants,” the student said.
Only after filing a complaint with a former intern named Karabo Molefe, was psychiatric assistance made available.
However, the issue continued in 2025. During an anxiety attack, the student returned to the Centre, only to be scolded by another nurse, Sister Ntombi Dantjie. “She shouted that she’s been a psychiatric nurse longer than I’ve been alive and that I was wasting her time”, the student alleged.
Wits’ Campus Health And Wellness Centre – Photo: Dikeledi Ramabula
Wits Vuvuzela reached out to both psychiatric nurses. Dantjie was unavailable for comment.
However, Sitoe denied the allegations, “I only interacted with the student once, after the first session, she decided that she does not want to interact with me ever again. After we referred her to another doctor here at the centre, the student would not avail herself and she did not come to collect her medication.”
In response, former intern, Molefe said, “The student came to me and complained about Sister Sitoe. I proceeded to book her multiple times to get assistance and sort out her issues with the nurse, but she never came.”
The head of department is currently not in the country to comment, standing in for him Mr. Brian Jele, the Primary Health Care Nurse at the Centre said: “There is a suggestion box available to all our patients here at the Centre, if any student has an issue, they have a right to voice out their matters, write everything down and put it in a box and everything will be investigated”.
Mr. Jele added, “When Mr. Ntshabele returns on Monday, I will report the matter to him and proper investigation will be conducted from there.”
FEATURED IMAGE: The Campus Health and Wellness Centre’s working hours. Photo: Dikeledi Ramabula
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, […]
