Wits celebrates its stars in 2021 M&G Top 200
- Wits University
The Wits Senior Executive Team hail Witsies in the 2021 Mail & Guardian Top 200 for making a positive impact in society.
Wits University held a virtual meet and greet on 15 July for its staff, students and alumni listed in the 2021 Mail & Guardian Top 200 List of young outstanding South Africans. The 2021 trailblazers were recognised under the theme, Resilience for Innovation and Excellence. This year, Wits dominated the list with over 40 eminent Witsies recognised for excellence in their various fields. The list highlights exceptional young South Africans under the age of 35 years old who are making waves.
The virtual event, attended by members of the Wits Senior Executive Team and staff across various departments, sought to celebrate the trailblazers who are flying the Wits flag high.
Dean of Student Affairs, Jerome September said they personify the new University slogan, Wits. For Good through their impact and this needs to be celebrated.
“You have been identified as an incredible innovator and as a trailblazer in South Africa. The goal is to celebrate excellence, inspire others and show the young people of this country have responded to the new and unique challenges in the past year. As a Witsie, you will know that all those aims are what the university is all about - we are about the pursuit of excellence in all that we do, being trailblazers and we are a university that seeks to make a difference in our society,” said September.
In his celebratory remarks, Wits Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Zeblon Vilakazi expressed his pride over the outstanding Witsies and their note-worthy recognition, which is testament to the talent that Wits attracts. He congratulated the group for their zeal for success amidst the pandemic and for epitomising excellence.
“It [recognition] is an acknowledgement of your hard work, perseverance and determination. The best is yet to come out of you, so this occasion amplifies the fact that society looks up to you. You are the future. As the University heads towards its centenary next year, it is heartening and very encouraging to see that Wits continues and does not seize to attract, nurture and produce graduates with great qualities- people whose impact at such a very young age is being felt far and wide.”
Vilakazi said being associated with excellence is one of the many joys he loves about being Vice-Chancellor. The Witsies featured in the 2021 M&G Top 200 join a long list of sterling staff, students and alumni who have made a remarkable impact are who are celebrated the world over said Vilakazi.
The Vice-Chancellor implored on the Witsies to be in continuous pursuit of excellence and be agents of change of change in society.
“As change makers, always remember to embody the principles upon which you have built this august institution. Remain curious and advance beyond your comfort zone, ask questions of everyone and everything, hold those in power accountable, think critically and independently, value intellectual excellence, be active social citizens, be resilient and adaptable, appreciate collaboration and collegiality.”
