Homecoming and Centenary Celebrations

It happens once in 100 years. Join the Wits celebration! Leave your lectures and take to the streets! Floats and processions reminiscent of RAG, a Wits fundraising tradition which started in 1922.
The Theme: Celebrating #Wits100
The Challenge: Plan your Streetwear (academic gowns, doctors coats, engineers hats, etc.) Dress Up. Turn Up.

Gather from 11h30,  the procession starts at 13h00 from the Origins Centre, Yale Road South, continues through Braamfontein and culminates on the Library Lawns.

Enquiries: events@wits.ac.za

Main Campus Library Lawns

A range of fun activities organised by Student Affairs including a picnic. Bring your friends, family and colleagues.

Concourse, Solomon Mahlangu House (formerly Senate House)

Join us for an evening of cocktails to kick off the special Alumni Homecoming Weekend. Collect your Centenary goodie bags and enjoy performances by the Wits Choir. There will be historical displays of Wits artefacts and memorabilia; and a visual display of light-based research in the foyer of the Physics Building. 

Enquiries: heather.bangwayo@wits.ac.za

An experience not to be missed! The interactive #Wits100 Light Show tells Wits’ history through images and light projected on the façade of the Wits Great Hall in a multimedia presentation titled Visible Resonance by Marcus Neustetter and the Trinity Session. Accompanied by drummers, the Wits Choir, and participants from the audience, it’s a unique show for everyone. 

Oppenheimer Life Sciences Building, East Campus

08h30 – 15h00 weekdays and 08h30 – 16h00 weekend

This free interactive science exhibition has a strong emphasis on biology. Learn more about the natural world and sustainable living. The theme this year is Coming of Age. All living things go through various life stages. Often great changes take place before reaching the adult stage. It is an important phase for the continuation of the species, and for many organisms, is a large proportion of their lifespan. The concept of ‘Coming of Age’ can also apply to organisations and the state of knowledge.

Enquiries: cheryl@innercs.com

Corner of Bertha (extension of Jan Smuts Ave) and Jorissen streets, Braamfontein

Her Eye On The Storm: A tribute to photo-activist Gisèle Wulfsohn

As part of WAM’s year-long focus on women for WAM’s 10th year and Wits University’s centenary celebrations, this exhibition is a visual homage to this important photographer and dedicated social documentarian’s extensive work. Curated by Beathur Mgoza Baker, the exhibition comprises more than 35 years of images covering humanitarian crises and the lives of ordinary and iconic South Africans. 

donna Kukama: Ways-of-Remembering-Existing

This is a solo exhibition by interdisciplinary artist donna Kukama and forms part of WAM’s 10th year and Wits University’s centenary celebrations. The title is rooted in Kukama's ongoing PhD creative research which critiques existing narratives of history and traditional modes of storytelling. The artist will lead a walkabout at WAM at 12:00 on Saturday 3 September.

WJK: In black and white. And read all over.

This focuses on William Kentridge’s books and the wonderful art of the Kentridge monograph. The exhibition is about word and image, and all of these books embody the rich visual and textual record of this artist’s diverse creative outputs. On display are the Kentridge publications in the Jack Ginsberg Centre for Book Arts holdings which span over 35 years.
For more info: /wam/exhibitions/

West Campus Braamfontein

The Origins Centre will be open at no charge over the Homecoming Weekend. A few tour guides will be on site to guide visitors, and exhibitions include:

• 10 Centenary Objects
  Ten iconic artefacts from the Wits Collection of the Earth Sciences Cluster.
  Explore ten objects in ten months, each on display for one exclusive day each month.
  
  
• Origins of Early Sapien’s Behaviour
   This exhibition presents the culmination of 30 years of archaeological research in the southern Cape, undertaken by Professor Christopher Henshilwood, Dr Karen van Niekerk, Professor Sarah Wurz and their research teams at Blombos Cave, Klipdrift Shelter and Klasies River. It showcases the unique archaeological discoveries that have been made at the three sites, which were occupied by early Homo sapiens between 120 000 and 50 000 years ago, a key period in the evolution of modern human behaviour. Curated by Petro Keene (Evolutionary Studies Institute, Wits), the displays feature artefacts, artworks, an interactive area, films by award-winning filmmaker, Craig Foster, and a visualisation of the extraordinary lives and innovations of our early modern human ancestors.
  For more info: /origins/exhibitions/

Wits Medical School Campus, 7 York Road, Parktown

The Adler Museum of Medicine was founded in 1962 and preserves the history of the health sciences in Southern Africa, with special reference to Gauteng. The museum contains interesting and invaluable collections depicting the history of medicine, dentistry and pharmacy through the ages.
For more info: /health/adlermuseum/

Assemble at The Wits Club, West Campus

To register for Park Run go to https://www.parkrun.co.za/register/

You need to register if you want to get your time, but you don't need to register to participate. The course starts near the Wits Club/Alumni Office and begins with an uphill run through the centre of West Campus. You run around the Science Stadium and then back downhill to near the start where you take a left turn past the Barnato Residence. The route takes you up a short, steep hill (nick named Hypotenuse Hill) where you turn right into the Sturrock Park Campus. After looping around the Wits football training grounds you return to West Campus, running down the Hypotenuse Hill, and turning right to run behind the Convocation Dining Hall. Once you have passed the pond, repeat the loop around the Science Stadium, ending with a downhill run to the finish at the Wits Club. Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed at this event.
Enquiries: wits@parkrun.com

Wits Science Stadium Lawns, West Campus

Join us for a mindful and rejuvenating yoga practice with Prof Nirupa Padia. The first 150 attendees will receive a free yoga mat!

Wits Football Stadium, Yale Road

Wits University FC and Orlando Pirates served up an exciting contest that ended 1-0 in favour of the Buccaneers at the 2022 Wits Spirit Game. Come support the Legends in blue as they take on rivals Orlando Pirates Legends.

Hall 29, West Campus

Browse through an assortment of artifacts, gifting options, vintage and upmarket goods at the special Homecoming market. Or find something delicious to eat among the deli type foods from a range of vendors.
Enquiries: Karen.DuPlessis@wits.ac.za

Great Hall Foyer

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, and Alumni Relations will host a ceremony to unveil the Fulbright/Mandela Rhodes/Rhodes Scholarship boards now housed in the foyer of the Great Hall. This is an opportunity to honour and celebrate all recipients of these prestigious scholarships over cocktails.
Enquires: heather.bangwayo@wits.ac.za

DIG Field, West Campus

It’s been 51 years since the first Free People’s Concert was held at Wits in 1971. It’s back again with a tribute to the late Johnny Clegg, who performed at the original concert. The tribute will be performed by Wits alumnus Jesse Clegg, Sipho Mchunu and the Johnny Clegg band.
The tribute kicks off at 18h00.

In the true spirit of the Free People’s Concert, this will be a family day that will have performances that will cater to all audiences. We will have an arts and crafts market, a children's play area, beer garden, gin and champagne bars and a food court.

Other artists include Mango Groove, Samthing Soweto, Holly Rey, Big Zulu, Khuzani, MFR Souls, Wits Mass Choir, Mduduzi Ncube, Lwah Ndlunkulu, and more.   

Buy your tickets from Webtickets R100.
All proceeds to Wits Food Bank for students.

More information on the concert.

Gavin Relly Green, West Campus

This special Wits tradition celebrates alumni who graduated more than 40 years ago. As one of the highlights of the year, Wits Alumni Relations is honoured to have the former deputy chief justice Justice Dikgang Moseneke as a guest speaker with the vote of thanks by Wits Chancellor, Dr Judy Dlamini

This year we welcome the Classes of 1980, 1981 and 1982 to their first Founders’ Tea.

Enquiries: events.alumni@wits.co.za

The Chris Seabrooke Music Hall, Wits East Campus

Please join Wits Music in celebrating the centenary at our new concert hall, the Chris Seabrooke Music Hall. The performance is free but seating is limited.

The album was recorded live at the Wits Great Hall in September 1962, Nxumalo was the first black jazz musician to host such an event at Wits during the apartheid era. The performance will be a 40-45 minute set featuring piano, bass, drums, sax, vocals, and two special guests on horns. The set is arranged by Wits music alumnus Mdu Mtshali. 

Wits Club, Braamfontein West Campus

A celebration of the illustrious Wits SRC. It will be a look back at how this prestigious structure shaped our country’s socio-political trajectory and the opportunities that lie ahead. All former SRC members are invited to join the evening of reflection and celebration.

Dress code: Strictly formal
RSVP: Kelebogile.Tadi@wits.ac.za

Wits Planetarium

The Wits Planetarium will be open throughout the Homecoming Weekend from 9:00-17:00 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday 2-4 September.  Staff, students, alumni, and members of the public will be able to say a final farewell to the old Zeiss projector while getting a sense of what is to come with the future Wits Digital Dome. There will be live 10-min tours of the night sky on the hour with the old Zeiss projector; as well as a 5-min full-dome digital show played on repeat (approximately four shows per hour). 

Drama For Life Centenary Conference Series Launch | 2 September | 09h00 - 12h00 | Amphitheatre
This conference seeks to affirm the values of Wits' innovation strategy and reaffirm Drama for Life's own vision and mission toward arts for social transformation and healing. Drama for Life's conference series seeks to explore and interrogate its legacies of innovation, draw substantive lessons from its first decade, and speak to new pathways of innovation emerging in Higher Education and the disciplines of Applied Arts, Arts Therapies and Arts Research. Register here.

Morwa – The Rising Sun | 2 September - 14h00, 3 September  14h00 / 19h00 | Downstairs Theatre
This is an award-winning theatre-for-youth work that captures an everyman’s journey with masculinity, personhood and struggle for love in an age of unbridled greed and disconnection
Written and performed by Tefo Paya
Directed by Warren Nebe
Music is performed by Thabang Molefe
Book your place

Playback Theatre- My memorable Moments | 3 September - 11h00-12h15, 4 September - 12h00-13h15 | The Nunnery
Playback is designed to invite the audience to share memorable moments, anecdotes, and stories of the impact Wits has had on their lives. The actors and musicians will then pair the just-told narratives with an improvised embodied performance. The company primarily consists of Wits alumni. Drama for Life Playback Theatre is the ONLY formally accredited playback theatre company in Africa.
Book your place

Lerumo Badimong Spear in the land of the Gods - A Musical | 3 September - 14h00-15h30 / 19h00-20h30, 4 September - 14h00-15h30 | Wits Main Theatre
‘Nothing of yours can be truly stolen. Everything that is yours, no matter how far, will come full circle …. Ngeke balibuse’
Book your place

When things Fall together | 3-4 September - 16h00 | Begins at the East side of Tunnel to West Campus
This is a site-specific performance ritual that has been adapted to be staged on the West Campus. The work is created for the outdoors. The performers are members of the Drama for Life Theatre Company, music therapists, musicians, dancers and a writer.
Book your place

Witsies Meet Again | 3 September - 10h00-11h00, 16h00-17h00 | Wits Main Theatre

Panel discussions titled 'From where we were to where we are in the cultural community' will focus on writing, directing, performance and musical theatre with alumni.
Book your place

TAP Final Homecoming Celebration | 4 September - 17h00-18h00 | Wits Main Theatre
Performance programme featuring alumni in song, dance and the spoken word.
Book your place

Wits Medical School Campus, 7 York Road, Parktown
View programme and make bookings

The Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Professor Shabir Madhi, invites all graduates to the Faculty’s annual tradition. This year’s programme will feature a special sit-down breakfast with the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Zeblon Vilakazi. As well as:

The Alumni Symposium, which provides a unique platform for alumni to showcase their life’s work, research, interests, and passions.

The FSH Alumni Gala Dinner is a favourite social event that was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a perfect occasion to reunite and rekindle friendships and relationships. The dinner is open to all Faculty of Health Sciences alumni and will be especially honouring the special anniversary years of 10 (2012), 15 (2007), 20 (2002), 25 (1997), 30 (1992), 35 (1987), 40 (1982), 45 (1977), 50 (1972) years since graduating. Find more information here.

Enquiries: didi.mmatladi@wits.ac.za