Alumni in the news November 2018
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Round-up of newsmakers and ideas
Wits University installed its ninth Chancellor, Dr Judy Dlamini, on 1 December 2018. Dr Dlamini is a Wits alumna, with an MBA among her qualifications. Read more and listen to the audio: http://www.wits.ac.za/news/latest-news/general-news/2018/2018-12/new-chancellor-praises-lionesses-of-africa-and-calls-for-greater-recognition-of-female-leadership.html
The previous Chancellor, Justice Dikgang Moseneke, spoke at his farewell ceremony about “being radical and still being thoughtful”. Read more and hear his speech: http://www.wits.ac.za/news/latest-news/general-news/2018/2018-11/protect-and-safeguard-wits.html
Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan spoke at the annual Founders’ Tea: https://soundcloud.com/wits-university-official/pravin-gordhan-wits-founders-tea
Nobel laureate (chemistry, 1982) and Wits alumnus Sir Aaron Klug passed away on 20 November 2018. Read more: https://www2.mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk/aaron-klug-1926-2018/
Not even Wits palaeontologist Professor Lee Berger has been into the Dinaledi chamber of the Rising Star cave system where Homo naledi was found. The entrance is just too tiny. But a new virtual reality app means anyone can have the experience. This video explains it: https://youtu.be/ni8DcvvlDEw. The app is available in English, Spanish, Sesotho, Setswana and isiZulu.
The 50th anniversary edition of The Wits Business School Journal has been launched. The special edition reflects on both the past and the future, spotlighting some trailblazing WBS alumni. Hard copies are available from jane.balnaves@wits.ac.za or alison.gaylard@wits.ac.za.
Dr Shakira Choonara (BHSc 2010, BA Hons 2012, MA 2013, PhD 2017) is one of eight young leaders from across the African continent who will be on the inaugural African Union Youth Advisory Council. Dr Choonara is a youth activist with experience on the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation Youth Leadership Programme, One Young World, Emerging Voices for Global Health and the Obama Foundation Leaders: Africa programme. She has also been listed as one of Destiny magazine’s most powerful women under the age of 40 and one of News 24’s 100 Young Mandelas of the Future.
Specialist physician and nephrologist Dr Nolubabalo Unathi Nqebelele (MMed 2014) is the first black woman to earn a PhD in internal medicine at Wits. Read more: /news/latest-news/our-people/2018/2018-11/a-nephrologist-with-a-vision-for-justice-in-health-care.html
Roberto Leonardi (BCom 1986) is the Regional Officer for Asia of Italian insurance firm Generali HK. He talks about innovation in this interview with The CEO Magazine: https://www.theceomagazine.com/executive-interviews/finance-banking/roberto-leonardi/
Wits Emeritus Professor in Music Jeanne Zaidel-Rudolph won a United Nations Women in Music competition for her Human Rights Oratorio, a composition celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. See the performance here: https://youtu.be/XkYdrXFxL50
Wits Emeritus Professor Beric Skews (BSc Eng 1958, MSc Eng 1961, PhD 1967, DSc Eng honoris causa 2016) is still a highly productive A-rated researcher. Read more: http://www.wits.ac.za/news/latest-news/research-news/2018/2018-11/fifth-a-rating-for-82-year-old-engineer-.html
Geosciences graduate Tim Marais (BSc 2010, BSc Hons 2011) was travelling in Madagascar when he heard about a meteorite that had recently fallen nearby. Read more: http://www.wits.ac.za/news/latest-news/research-news/2018/2018-11/detective-mission-to-characterise-and-trace-the-history-of-a-new-african-meteorite.html
Dr Mavhungu Tracy Nelwamondo (MBBCh 2011) sells heritage and indigenous food at the Bryanston Organic Market. Read more: https://winemag.co.za/review-modern-traditions-at-the-bryanston-organic-market/
Retired Springbok rugby player Ashwin Willemse graduated from Wits this year with the degree of Master of Management in Entrepreneurship – cum laude. Audio: https://iono.fm/e/624019
Nicola Hayward (BSc 1985, BSc Hons 1986) won the Best of the Best Award at the SA Independent Publishers Awards for her novel Master Jack.
The old Rembrandt Gallery on West Campus is now the Commerce, Law and Management Postgraduate Centre. The Heritage Portal explains the refurbishment project: http://www.theheritageportal.co.za/article/conversation-jan-van-wijk-refurbishment-rembrandt-gallery-wits-university
A new group of student leaders has joined the Management Committee of the South African Student Solidarity Foundation for Education (SASSFE).
Revisit an interview with Professor Phillip Tobias, on the Heritage Portal website: http://www.theheritageportal.co.za/article/phillip-tobias-mensch
The Heritage Portal also has a review by Witsie Kathy Munro of the book Johannesburg, Then and Now by Marc Latilla.
The First World War ended 100 years ago. Read on The Conversation about how alumni William Kentridge and Martin Plaut reflected on this milestone.