Students live in Joburg, yet they hardly experience the city; here’s budget-friendly guide to places to help let loose and fall in love with the city of gold.
The University of the Witwatersrand is situated in the heart of Joburg’s CBD, with students from all over the world who enter its door. However, students, especially the ones that are novices to the area, do not know what is beyond the perimeter of their place of study — missing out on exciting spots to visit in the city.
Other students miss out as they get caught up in the hustle and bustle of city life and forget what is around them.
As today is National Tourism Day, which serves to commemorate all the aspects that contribute to a country’s travel and tourism allure; Wits Vuvuzela compiled a list of tourist attractions that students can try in celebration of the day.
The tourism sector took a beating during the Covid-19 pandemic, but it is currently picking up. According to Stats SA, the volume of tourist arrivals increased by 152,6% from 2,2 million in 2021 to 5,6 million in 2022. The statistics agency explained that the national gradual improvement was observed in the number of tourists arrivals from January to December 2022; however, it is still 44,3% below the pre-pandemic year of 2019.
Looking closer at the numbers, of the 5,5 million tourists in South Africa in 2022, 0,7% are students in the country, 4,7% are from other African countries, and 0,1% are international.
Beyond this, the sector is amongst the biggest contributors to GDP in the country.
Thus, one can see how tourism is a necessary sector in South Africa with predominant hotspots in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban. Luckily for Wits students, they have the best tourist places within their fingertips.
An eagle’s eye view of Johannesburg showing bustling traffic and the hidden gems the city has to offer. Photo: Victoria Hill
Tourist hubs are made up of historical, cultural, environmental, and social aspects, which students can choose from. They also vary on a scale of affordability, which is vital to consider as students are always looking for fun outings that do not break the bank.
Under R100:
1. Wits Art Museum
2. Wits Origins Centre
3. Johannesburg Botanical Gardens
4. Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens
5. The Wilds Nature Reserve
6. Constitution Hill
7. South African National Museum of Military History
8. Johannesburg Zoo
9. Lindfield Victorian House Museum
10. James Hall Museum of Transport
11. Adventure Golf [one game = R36,67]
12. Sci-Bono Discovery Centre
Between R100-R200:
13. Apartheid Museum
14. Montecasino Bird Gardens
15. Multiflora Flower Market
16. Ice-skating
Between R200-R300:
17. 44 Stanley
18. Gold Reef City Theme Park
19. Maboneng Precinct
20. Melville
21. Parktown 4th Avenue
22. Illovo Muse
23. Rosebank Rooftop Market
24. Fourway’s Farmers Market
25. Neighbour Goods Market
26. Victoria Yards
27. Hashtag Escape
Independent ticket pricing:
28. Joburg Theatre
29. Wits Theatre Complex
30. Wits Chris Seabrooke Music Hall
No matter if you want to go from zero to one hundred, Johannesburg will always have something in store for you. These are just a few tourist attractions near or surrounding Wits University, but if you want an adventure beyond these borders, a road trip is always worth it.
Watch a Google Earth deep dive into each location:
FEATURED IMAGE: The skyline of Johannesburg as seen from the Wits Art Museum building’s 20th floor. Photo: Victoria Hill
The Cheese boys suffered their second straight loss to Zulu Society FC in an exciting 4-3 thriller.
Wits Junction FC’s hopes of securing a win at halftime were crushed as Zulu Society FC dominated, scoring four goals at Wits Sturrock Park Stadium on Monday, May 6th.
The first half was tightly contested with little to separate the two teams, but what followed in the second half turned into a nightmare for Wits Junction FC. Initially, it appeared the match might end in a stalemate, but the Cheese boys’ shaky defense became evident. Their defense crumbled, allowing Zulu Society FC to effortlessly navigate through their midfield, a sight that was shocking to see.
As the second half unfolded, Zulu Society FC further gained momentum, applying consistent pressure on their opposition. The team executed their coach’s attacking game plan, resulting in a relentless assault. Though Wits Junction FC managed to equalise 2-2, their lack of organisation proved costly as Zulu Society FC scored two more goals to secure victory. The Cheese boys netted a consolation goal at around 80 minutes, but it wasn’t enough to alter the outcome.
Zulu Society FC player dribbling past Wits Junction FC players. Photo: Rivaldo Jantjies
The continuous display of entertaining football thrilled the crowd, who enthusiastically celebrated each goal with the players. The game was a goal extravaganza – everything that a football fanatic asks for.
Wandile Zulu, the coach of Zulu Society FC, spoke about his team’s performance during the match, he told Wits Vuvuzela, “It’s our first win, it’s a good win, as you can see people are happy.” Zulu reiterated his hope that his team will build on this triumph going forward. He stressed the importance of making slight improvements in terms of compactness to ensure future success.
Entering the match after losing four goals in their previous game, Wits Junction FC’s performance on Monday underscored a clear lack of defensive cohesion, resulting in eight goals conceded in their last two matches.
Khethani Mathikhi, the coach of Wits Junction FC, commented on his team’s performance during the match, he said: “We conceded quite a few silly goals that could’ve been avoided.” However, Mathikhi believes they can recover from this setback, especially considering the absence of some key players. He emphasized that strengthening their defense could lead to victory.
Following the match result, the Cheese boys have dropped to fourth place in the first division of the Wits Internal Football League, whereas Zulu Society FC has ascended to the tenth position.
FEATURED IMAGE: Wits Junction FC coach instructing his players during half-time. Photo: Rivaldo Jantjies
The power is still out for many, some Witsies have taken to the streets with demands in tow.
Braamfontein residents and Wits University students who live off campus, woke up to another day with no electricity on May 6, 2024. After days of not eating, showering and studying students are demanding reprieve.
Led by the Wits SRC, a group blocked traffic and stopped inter-campus buses on Jorissen Street in Braamfontein, proclaiming “if we aren’t comfortable, no one should be”. The outage follows a fire at the Fordsburg substation last week.
No power, no shopping ,Ackermans loses out on making any sales this week due to electricity crisis. Photo: Katlego Mtshali
Their immediate demands call for the all-academic programmes (including the postponement of tests and assignments), water and food provision.
Speaking to Wits Vuvuzela, a frustrated BA third-year student, Felicity Makalima said: “Where is the next meal coming from? Yes, efforts are being made by different student councils at Wits, but it still falls short. More than 500 students are affected and need to eat at least three times a day.”
Over the weekend the Wits Citizenship and Community Outreach (WCCO) and SRC worked together to secure food and tutorial rooms for studying purposes.
Takalani Netshiavha a third-year LLB student highlighted the impact on academic attendance. “There’s a sub-minimum rule of attendance, and now we won’t be able to write tests because we could not show up to class. It’s not our fault that Braamfontein has no power,” she said.
Students in Wits residences have had intermittent but steady electricity supply thanks to back-up generators.
Safety has also been raised as students are forced to study till late on campus then walk back to their residences in the dark streets of Braamfontein.
In a short statement, the Mechanical Industrial and Aeronautical Engineering and School of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics (CSAM) Student Councils say they have been engaging with the school administration, seeking a two-week postponement of assessments. Citing limited data for those off campus in particular. Wits still makes access to data available to qualifying students, but the SRC says this is not enough considering the current situation.
While some students were able to go to friends and family over the weekend to escape the crisis, many do not have that luxury. A fair few are from other provinces or simply cannot afford to. Added to this, some are anxious about falling behind academically.
The ongoing crisis has also affected retail shops in Braamfontein, with staff sitting outside closed storefronts at Ackermans, PEP, FNB, and McDonald’s on Monday afternoon.
FEATURED IMAGE: Wits SRC leaders spearhead a resolute protest on through Braamfontein, demanding urgent action to address the student electricity crisis. Photo: Katlego Mtshali
Various students came together on campus to celebrate 30 years of democracy in South Africa through song with a chance to win R10,000.
On Wednesday, May 1, a diverse crowd of students filled the Amphitheatre at Wits University — under the open sky — as they were eager to witness performances of various struggle songs, performed at the Gwijo Competition hosted by the EFFSC.
Ernest Oppenheimer Halls group rendering an item. Photo: Lona Sokanyile
The purpose of the Gwijo Competition was to give young people an opportunity to express what 30 years of democracy means to them through songs; and to encourage youth political activism. The stakes were high, but it was the passion for expression that truly ignited the stage.
Amidst the cheers and applause, four groups stood poised to captivate the audience: Ernest Oppenheimer Halls (EOH), Knockando, Amani, and the Radius Club. Their voices rose in harmony, carrying melodies which echoed the struggles and triumphs of those who fought for freedom. From the anthems of the past to the cries of the present, each chant resonated with a profound sense of purpose.
As the contestants poured their hearts into each lyric, the audience became more than mere spectators —they became participants in a shared experience of unity and inclusivity. Harmonious voices mingled in a symphony of solidarity, transcending barriers of class and creed. It was not just the contestants who stole the show; it was the spontaneous moments of connection that truly stole the hearts of all people present.
The panelist of judges included Tebego Sako, a UFS alumni and currently a Wits law student, Koketso Poho a musician who is part of the Joburg jazz band iPhupho L’ka Biko, Wits SRC deputy secretary general Dineo Koetepe and Majola Majola a musician, song writer and UKZN economics student.
As an attendee, I was swept away by the energy and enthusiasm that permeated the amphitheatre. In the rhythmic pulse of the chants, I found a common thread bounding us all together—a reminder that in the face of adversity, our voices can empower.
The Radius club emerged victorious winning the competition. While only one group could claim victory, it was clear that the true triumph lay in the collective spirit of togetherness which filled the air that evening.
The winning res group Radius Club performing. Photo: Lona Sokanyile
The Gwijo Competition was not just a celebration of song; it was a celebration of the human spirit, a testament to the enduring legacy of unity and diversity.
FEATURED IMAGE: Wits Students at the Amphitheatre during the competition. Photo: Lona Sokanyile
Southern Africa has been plagued by heatwave after heatwave, and the temperature is still on the rise.
Climate change has been an issue many people sweep under the rug, but this past Summer, everyone felt its effects in the scorching temperatures that left no reprieve. With the degrees consistently sitting in the high 30s, Johannesburg was at risk of a health and ecological disaster.
Professor Jennifer Fitchett was the speaker at the first-quarter session of the Pro Vice-Chancellor Seminar Series for climate, sustainability and inequality. She is a professor of physical geography at Wits University and centred her presentation around the effects of a 1.1-degree Celsius warmer climate.
Joburg temperatures are off the charts and continue to rise, along with the globe’s average. GIF: Victoria Hill
In fact, Fitchett says Johannesburg is 1.5-degree Celsius warmer, above the global average.
The seminar aimed to indicate how humans are unable to tangibly feel this gradual temperature rise of the planet, with most saying the difference seems negligible to note.
However, other species which use season changes as their thermometer most definitely feel this increase; so, when humans eventually feel the temperature rise, these species would feel the effects even more intensely.
Fitchett explains how bees are coming to pollinate flowers before they have bloomed; caterpillars are hatching before leaves are ready for them; Jacaranda trees are flowering earlier than usual; land-based Addo elephants are unable to migrate to areas necessary for survival; waterholes dry up and land-mammals cannot survive; and the woolly-mammoth was forced to eat a diet of grass which led to their extinction.
Ecologies are experiencing an imbalance of nature, with co-dependent species having mismatched timelines which are fatal. Slowly, they have evolved to align with each other once again, but the temperature is still rising faster than the rate of evolution.
Fitchett says the solution to climate change lies within an interdisciplinary approach. She explained social scientists should note the impact of higher temperatures — no matter whether they are due to global warming or the climate-phenomenon of an El Niño year — because they can easily cause a health disaster in vulnerable South African communities.
She also said environmental students should have a compulsory climate course in their first year to create awareness of this growing issue. Journalists also need to fact-check their climate articles to ensure they are not over-dramatising the issue for effect which leads to the public losing trust in climate specialists.
Joburg gave a new meaning to the idealised Sunny South Africa, and was sizzling, stifling, and scorching hot this summer season. If humans could feel this temperature increase, other plants, animals, vegetation, or species would have felt it, and been affected by it, even more.
FEATURED IMAGE: A setting sun seen over the skyline of Johannesburg, burning in colours of red, orange, and yellow. Photo: Victoria Hill
Eager students attend a masterclass to begin learning and using South African sign language.
The South African Medical Student Association (SAMSA) has rolled up its sleeves to ensure that the Wits community is able to use the 12th official language of the country.
Samsa hosted its first sign language masterclass for 2024 in collaboration with the Wits Disability Rights Unit on Thursday, April 11, at the Wits Medical School. The classes were initially introduced last September during Deaf Awareness month.
Students participating in the sign language class. Photo: Salim Nkosi
The classes are conducted by Khetha Mbatha, a professional sign language practitioner, who interprets classes for deaf registered students at Wits from different faculties.
During the class, Mbatha unpacked how the deaf community forms their language and the basics of sign language, like signing introductions and emotional expressions.
She also went over some cultural norms of the deaf community, and highlighted the rules one should adhere to when communicating with a deaf person. For example, one should always maintain eye contact and avoid being distracted.
Speaking to Wits Vuvuzela Mbatha expressed her desire to see more people signing up for the classes. She said this will create an inclusive and accessible environment for the deaf community; so that they do not feel marginalized amongst the larger hearing community.
“If we can have teachers in deaf schools signing fluently, then that means the education of our deaf children will be improved” said Mbatha.
Marianne Ham, Samsa’s event coordinator said, “as a society, we are trying to bring people together who are interested in different things and create awareness”.
Samsa intends to host three more sign language introductory classes during the year at Wits Medical School in order to continue creating opportunities to expand one’s knowledge and embrace diversity.
FEATERED IMAGE: Khetha Mbatha conducting the sign language class. Photo: Salim Nkosi
Music-lovers united to watch a jazz trio groove up the stage at Wits Chris Seabrooke Music Hall.
The stage was adorned with a gorgeous baby grand piano, a bronze trumpet, and a larger-than-life cello, all waiting to play a tune. The music hall was designed with acoustic architecture and welcoming colours added to the ambience. The stage was awaiting South African trumpet legend, Sydney Mavundla, who was accompanied by Africa Mkhize on keys and Dalisu Ndlazi on strings, to debut his single, Dirge for our fathers.
The stage is set with a grand piano, a shiny trumpet, and an impressive cello. Photo: Victoria Hill
Mavundla “hated the beginning” of his music career, and it took him “quite some time to get into it”. He told Wits Vuvuzela how he “used to come home, drop [his] school bag, and run [away] before [his] dad comes, because if he gets here, it’s ‘let’s go to the trumpet’”. His father was a colonel with the Salvation Army and encouraged Mavundla to join their band.
It was around the age of 14 years, when he began to love the brass instrument. Interestingly, he had auditioned for Wits and got rejected, but soon found a home at the University of Natal, studying under prestigious musicians and creating unique pieces he went on to perform all over the world.
From left to right, Africa Mkhize, Sydney Mavundla, and Dalisu Ndlazi, take a final bow to close their jazz performance. Photo: Victoria HillThe trio in their element, performing a composition called Dirge For Our Fathers. Photo: Victoria Hill
Silence fell over the audience as they waited in anticipation for the first note to sound. The three men looked in their element, waiting for each other’s cues and then, suddenly, a symphony hit everyone’s ears. The audience become one, each in their own bubble interpreting the music as they pleased — an old-school pipe-smoker, a young head-bopper, and a curious foot-tapper.
The first song of the evening paid homage to the time of covid-19 lockdown, when all social circles were broken. The tune was melancholic, with a slow blending of piano, trumpet, and cello sounds. Each musician had a solo which drove home the idea of isolation, yet finding the beauty within it. Now that society has returned to normal, Mavundla says the places available for jazz musicians to share their music is limited, so even though one has music, there is no one for whom to play it.
The next composition was an ode to his daughter, the song recreated her happy and lively nature. The music consisted of high-and-low points and soft-and-loud blends. The three gentlemen were living in the moment, dancing to their own music and smiling at each other whilst performing. The feeling was contagious throughout the audience, with many “whoops” and “yes’s” echoing around the hall.
Contrasting this energy was a composition referring back to Mavundlas’s roots. It was whole-heartedly melancholic, with a contagious silence falling amongst the audience. A general emotion of lost-yet-found was tangible. But, as they transitioned into their next melody, everything gained momentum again, resulting in a sound that has “everything to do with happiness”. The three musicians were sweating at this point — they were playing their instruments with their full bodies and encouraged the audience to feel the beat through their whole bodies too.
Dalisu Ndlazi can be seen emerged in his cello solo, physically exerting his mind, body, and soul. Photo: Victoria Hill
The climax of the evening was when the trio played Dirge for Our Fathers, “paying tribute to all the people who have paved the way for us”. It doubles as a reference to African culture and the importance of the ancestors in life. Mavundla sings “may your soul rest in peace, know that you are so loved, tell all the others the same”. This drove people in the audience to sing and dance their hearts out.
FEATURED IMAGE: Sydney Mavundla on stage performing songs of his own composition. Photo: Victoria Hill
A group of young amateur boxers get to test their strength in a grueling competition filled with bloody noses and technical knockouts.
On Saturday, April 13, 2024, a white-collar boxing event was held at Lightweights Gym in Northfield, Johannesburg, giving promising and inexperienced boxers a platform to showcase their skills in front of an audience.
Boxers squaring off in intense fight. Photo: Siyanda Mthethwa.
A group of local boxers came together to create a competition that allowed beginner boxers, who had not competed in official fights, to go up against one another. Ten fights were contested throughout the evening, each one consisting of three, two-minute rounds.
It was a high-adrenaline competition with a couple of fights resulting in a Technical Knock-Out (TKO) which is when a referee stops the match due to one of the fighters being unable to continue fighting or defending themselves.
Lusanda Komanisi, former IBO World Champion and multiple-title holder, was one of the organizers of the prestigious event. When speaking about the importance of it, he said: “We wanted to put fun in it and make people be able to watch boxing and make them scream as much as they want to.”
He added that the event made him proud because of the positive shift away from watching professional fighting as it was able “to put amateurs [in the ring] and give them a chance to shine.”
One of the favourites of the night was Wits graduate, Nota Jiyane, who sparred against Third-year Wits student, Kgothatso Swandle, and won the duel. Jiyane, who was in high spirits following his victory reflected “The fight went to plan, nothing out of the ordinary, you know. I just stuck to the plan that the coaches gave me, it went well”.
Jiyane says the sport is personal for him, “I used to be bullied back when I was a kid, and this was me stepping out of my comfort zone. So, I’m not going to stop now.”
He also believes small platforms like this are where untapped talent lies, “we can be known as the hotspot for one of the best fighters in the world and I believe that we can do that just by doing these little events,”.
Tshepiso Fambe, a spectator, praised the event for bringing people together and allowing people to “showcase their talent”.
Nevertheless, the event was a success, and potential fighters can look forward to the next event which will be hosted in July, giving them ample time to prepare.
FEATURED IMAGE: Two boxers fighting at white-collar event. Photo: Siyanda Mthethwa.
Prices of Wits University merchandise are between 24% and 30% higher than the University of Pretoria and the University of Johannesburg, respectively.
A grey Wits sweater with a R415 price tag. Photo: Victoria Hill
Despite students being its primary target audience, the pricing of items in the Wits Shop based online and on campus are not budget friendly.
The average price point of jackets, hoodies, and sweaters at Wits are R617 per item; t-shirts and golfers sitting at R325; hats and headwear at R160, and other goodies at R186.
While this may seem reasonable in the grand scheme of the fashion industry in South Africa, being a university-based store has financial expectations, which are not currently being met.
In comparison, UP’s t-shirts and golfers are only R238 per item, with UJ’s coming in at R123. For hats and headwear, UP is approximately R30 cheaper than Wits, and UJ nearly R100 cheaper.
Shop Supervisor Sam Magena agrees, “pricing is too high for students” and he told Wits Vuvuzela that students have informally complained about the affordability of the regalia.
He explained the increased prices are partly due to ordering from South African companies in hopes of supporting local businesses despite overseas companies proving cheaper.
The Wits Shop is also a smaller outlet, meaning items are not bought in bulk which might otherwise afford more negotiation benefits of the cost prices.
Nevertheless, Magena says the shop only adds a mark-up of at most 35%, compared to the national norm of above 50%. The Wits Shop is not primarily a profit-making business, but rather focuses on the marketing and promotional aspects of Wits through students and alumni.
Head of Wits marketing, Reshma Lakha-Singh, says the department is in the midst of creating a new strategy which will see revamped stock and additional locations this year.
However, “given the current scale and operational scope of the shop, there are no immediate plans for significant changes in pricing structure” she says, but they are “developing medium and long-term strategies to upgrade the shop”.
Students should definitely keep their eye on this space, as the Wits Shop is rethinking its entire philosophy to start benefitting students more than anyone else.
FEATURED IMAGE: Wits Student, Ricardo Lopes, browsing through the racks in the Wits Shop. Photo: Victoria Hill
Medical students and doctors are shockingly the professionals with the highest suicide rate worldwide due to issues with anxiety, depression, and burnout.
Mental health has become a topical issue in the 21st century, with more focus being placed on it than ever before. Even though it is at the forefront of note, medical professionals are suffering from increased levels of anxiety, depression, and burnout whilst trying to save others from the aforementioned.
In an article, Professor Bernard Janse van Rensburg said: “Doctors are 2.5 times more likely to commit suicide than the general population, while physician burnout is a leading cause of medical error”. He explained awareness of this issue needs to start with medical students to reduce the stigma surrounding doctors and their mental health.
For medical students at Wits, their issues are caused by how their curriculum is set up. They have long working hours, which take effect from fifth year. They have weekday shifts, which can last up to 15 hours and night shifts on the weekend. In addition, these students are studying full-time, which includes doing readings, class work, and online lectures.
To further investigate the issue, Wits Vuvuzela spoke to four medical students on campus who said they are suffering from intense stress, depression, and burnout. The students requested to remain anonymous as they fear reprisal. Three of the four students said they were on anti-depressants and/or anti-anxiety medication, and all reported they were on the verge of burnout.
Eileen Maleka, a manager from the Office of Student Success (OSS) at Wits, a programme offering support, counselling, and academic assistance to health science students, said, “South African research reveals higher rates of suicidal thoughts, depression, and anxiety among medical students… barriers to accessing mental health services include time constraints, confidentiality concerns, and fear of stigma.”
The additional pressure to do well academically also adds to the mental toll. Students have been known to write five tests in one day, thereafter, attend shifts at hospitals. This is because students are seen as part of the main workforce, but they feel they are just “free labour”. Students are not paid for the work they do.
Despite Wits having the OSS programme, these young doctors-in-training feel as though they are not fully supported. The students explained the suicide statistic is simply unacceptable, yet not surprising, and institutions need to acknowledge the numbers are not decreasing.
The Dean of Student Affairs, Jerome September, said medical students are welcome to “further discuss what the specific gaps might be with the idea to find improvements where required”. He said, this could include compulsory debriefings or group counselling sessions which could ease the burden on them.
FEATURES IMAGE: Scenario showing the stress medical students feel on a daily basis. Photo: Adobe Stock
Trees are one of the oldest living organisms in nature, and they have many great lessons to teach us, one being to slow down and breathe every once in a while.
Feel the groove of their bark on your fingertips. Touch your cheek against its rough skin and inhale the scent of nature. Breathe in the fresh oxygen just released from its leaves. Exhale the toxic feelings that live in your heart. Slow your mind. Lose yourself in the motion. Just exist quietly for a while.
I have always had a fascination with trees, feeling drawn to them in a way I could never explain. Whenever I could, I would scale their trunks and sit amongst the branches. It was always so peaceful in the treetops, and I felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be.
Wits Vuvuzela student journalist, Victoria Hill hugging a tree and showing everyone how it is done on Wits campus. Photo: Thato Gololo
I started hugging trees at a very young age, not knowing quite what I was doing or why, but I knew I had found the one place I could always go whenever I needed life to fade away.
Humans are a quintessential part of nature and are a species who have proven themselves very different from the rest, with verbal language, complex psychological functions, and interdependent social communities.
Yet, when we think about ourselves in comparison to our oldest companions, trees remind us we are part of something much bigger. Humans are not at the centre of life — the world can exist without us.
But trees, animals, insects, and nature are what make the world go round. Willow, acacia, pine, oak, baobab, and many other types of trees influence humans, whether mentally, physically, or spiritually.
Whenever I visit a new place, I look for the tree that speaks the most to me, that evokes the most emotional response, and give it a mighty big hug. I have hugged trees with skinny trunks where I can clasp my hands together, but also wide trees that I can lean against without a care in the world. Then there were trees that were scraggy, and others that were so beautiful they stole the show.
Everyone should be a tree-hugger in this era, because in a world of deforestation and global warming, increased anxiety and depression, feelings of isolation and marginalisation, and spiritual disparity — hugging a tree is a homeopathic solution to human plight.
The beautiful, green landscape at Wits University, with many trees waiting to be hugged. Photo: Victoria Hill
Here’s how and why:
1. Hugging a tree is brain food
According to research, hugging a tree can reduce stress and anxiety levels through the lowering of cortisol levels, allowing one to feel centred and grounded. Rashmi Schramm, a medical physician and meditation coach, says trees emit negative ions which science says has an impact on humans’ perception and experience of stress.
2. Trees elicit emotional reactions from huggers
Dr Stone Kraushaar, a clinical psychologist also known as ‘The Hug Doctor,’ says oxytocin, our happy hormone responsible for emotional bonding and trust, is released after 21 seconds of physical contact. During or after hugging a tree, people say they feel calmer, happier, and more optimistic.
3. Trees influence our physical health
Dr David Scholey, a lead researcher on determining the physical benefits of hugging a tree, says it has been proven to reduce one’s heart rate and blood pressure and boost one’s immune system. Dr Hugh Asher, a certified forest bathing guide and forest therapy practitioner, says humans absorb organic chemicals called phytoncides emitted by trees which protect them from diseases.
4. Treehugging creates environmental awareness and appreciation
Trees are important for carbon dioxide removal and oxygen deposition in the atmosphere. They are also vital for ecosystems to survive. In the age of climate change, they are more important than ever, with increased human dependency on these organisms. By hugging a tree, one is acknowledging their role in life and the interconnected nature of our planet.
5. Trees hold spiritual symbolism
Peter Wohlleben, an avid forester and author of The Hidden Life of Trees, says “a tree can only be as strong as the forest that surrounds it”. Human society is very much the same, yet has seemingly forgotten these underlying morals in the face of current challenges.
Trees are living beings that have existed through many histories and live to tell those stories. Through hugging them, one can feel connected to the space they inhabit whilst reconnecting with their soul. Feelings of inner peace, outward optimism, and all-round serenity are just some results, and if these mighty trees can grow from little seeds, so too can you.
FEATURED IMAGE: Victoria Hill, 2024 Wits Vuvuzela Journalist. Photo: File/Leon Sadiki
Expensive public transport leaves some students having to choose between eating regularly or catching another bus or taxi to campus.
It takes France Richia and Mfanelo Zandamela, two LLB students at Wits University over two hours and 90 kilometres to travel to campus daily.
On average, a student traveling from the townships around the Gauteng province to Braamfontein spends anything between R100 to R200 on public transport daily.
Richia and Zandamela travel from Orange Farm to campus, they said, “It gets scary when it’s dark given that we must walk all the way passing Mandela Bridge to Bree Street to catch a bus.”
Johannesburg is notorious for its crime, with the winter season around the corner, days are becoming shorter and darker, a concern for those with classes that end after 17:00.
Richia emphasized the issue of time management: “It is only recently that it has become my biggest challenge, this is because I must keep up with my studies while also making sure that I get enough rest, I have accustomed myself to waking up at 04:00 so that I can catch a bus which leaves at 05:30.”
Zandamela told Wits Vuvuzela that the long three hours spent traveling contribute heavily to his fatigue, his second biggest challenge is the financial constraints this has towards his parents. “In one week I spend an approximate amount of R500” on transport and other incidentals like food.
Both students have stopped buying lunch on campus to save money, they sometimes pack sandwiches or a cooked meal from the previous night.
To tackle their shared accommodation issue, they have both applied for Wits Hardship funding which aims to assist Wits students who need financial support.
Zandamela said “This is honestly my last hope,” living just 10 or 20 minutes away from campus would change his life and university experience drastically.
FEATURED IMAGE: Two LLB Wits students standing infront of the Physics building. Photo: Salim Nkosi. Photo: Salim Nkosi
In episode six of We Should Be Writing season 7, the team unpacked the evolution of music as a form of expression and protest, through four decades in the South African context. The episode explores the journey of South African music and its consumers from the 80s, 90s, early 2000s and contemporary listeners. From the […]
