university of the witwatersrandlatest news & developments
Futile exercise: The writer argues that even if higher education were to digitalise their systems, it would still not help contain the influx of first year
students at the too few institutions, including 26 universities. Photo: Supplied

Digitisation not panacea for varsity space

Any talk about scaling up digitalisation of higher education as a solution to the large demand for access to the university must fiercely confront the structural challenges that are deeply concerning

The devastation at the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ school in Minab, southern Iran after a US-Israel missile strike this weekend: Images: Fars News Agency

Khamenei killing puts limits of self-defence under UN Charter to the test

The United Nations Charter prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of another state, the only recognised exception being self-defence in response to an armed attack

President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers the state of the nation address.  (GCIS)

In Sona, Ramaphosa signals shift from crisis management to consolidation

For the first time in several years, electricity did not dominate the president’s address

In his 2026 State of the Nation Address, the president once again committed to economic revitalization. Photo: GCIS

Ramaphosa talks tough on gangs, corruption

The president said the South African National Defence Force would be deployed to support police in tackling gang violence and illegal mining

Honoured : Graduates wore Kaizer Chiefs jerseys under their academic gowns when Kaizer Motaung received his doctorate. Photo: Supplied

From Soweto to Great Hall: Football’s doctor of dreams

Wits University recognises Kaizer Motaung’s achievements with an honorary doctorate

The Elephant Chamber is one of the main chambers within the Sterkfontein Caves, known for its significant role in paleontological discoveries, including the discovery of hominid fossils. (Umamah Bakharia/M&G)

Sterkfontein Caves reopened after safety upgrades

The international landmark closed in 2023 after heavy rainfall caused soil movement that threatened safety

Sub-Saharan Africa’s biggest planetarium has relaunched as the new state-of-the-art Wits Anglo-American Digital Dome after it underwent an R90 million refurbishment project.

Wits relaunches state of the art digital dome after R90 million refurbishment

The dome has over the years projected significant historical events, including screening footage of the Apollo 11

Prof Irvy Gledhill, Honorary Adjunct Professor of Flow Physics at Wits.

The cross-border collaborator

Professor Irvy Gledhill’s vision for African unity

Prof Jennifer Fitchett, Physical
Geography at Wits.

The climate whisperer

Prof Jennifer Fitchett’s mission to make science heard

Turn the page: Marcus de Jong, owner of De Jong’s bookshop in Braamfontein, has died in The Netherlands. Photo: Corina van der Spoel

Marcus de Jong: The legacy of a bookshop pioneer and champion of progressive thought

From banned books to political activism, Marcus de Jong’s life was a testament to the power of ideas and the human spirit