Welcome message from our new VC, Professor Zeblon Vilakazi
- VCO
Professor Vilakazi assumed office on 1 January 2021 and looks forward to stewarding the University in his capacity as the Vice-Chancellor and Principal:
"Dear colleagues,
I hope that you are all well and safe.
I hope that you have had some time to spend with your family, friends and loved ones and that you are ready to return to work refreshed and prepared to face any challenges that may come our way.
I know that many people are hoping to wish away the coronavirus and the havoc that it wreaks in our lives. The reality is that it will still be with us at least for the next few months, and we will have to do all that we can to keep each other safe and strong – physically, mentally and emotionally.
There are also many who are hoping for everything to return to “normal”. To those seeking to return to the old status quo, I challenge you to think and act differently. Our lives have transformed significantly in recent months – some of us have lost loved ones, some of us have been infected, and we have all been impacted in some way. Our world of work has changed, and so have our ways of learning and teaching. We have the opportunity to reimagine our world, to retain the good from the past, to be creative in our present reality, and to advance boldly, where others are still to venture.
We need to draw on our collective strength, our resilience and our ability to adapt in the face of adversity to craft a new world that is beneficial to our community, and to our society.
This is just a short note to welcome you back to Wits. A newsletter outlining my vision and plans for 2021 will follow in due course.
I look forward to working with you in the next (centennial) phase of this great institution.
Strength to you all."
Professor Zeblon Vilakazi
Vice-Chancellor and Principal