Alumni newsmakers in June 2020
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Be inspired by articles, interviews and insights from fellow Witsies.
COMMERCE, LAW AND MANAGEMENT
David Francis, deputy director at the Southern Centre for Inequality Studies, co-authors this article with Professor Imraan Valodia, that South Africa urgently needs to reshape its labour market.
Christopher Malikane (BSc 2000, MCom 2002), Associate Professor in the School of Economics and Finance at Wits, says the South African Reserve Bank’s understanding of the costs of quantitative easing is flawed.
Professor Mills Soko, from International Business and Strategy at Wits Business School writes SA must prepare for loosening trade ties with the US.
Bridget van Kralingen (BCom 1985) senior vice president of IBM, opened the Think Digital Summit. She shared her vision for the future of enterprise technology. She discussed the new platforms that provide business with the flexibility, speed and innovation.
Dr Desné Masie (BA 2002), from the Wits School of Governance, writes that daily injustices need to be addressed, this can’t be achieved through ‘woke’ social media posts.
- Boris Johnson’s announcement of a merger between two offices is provocative.
- Hosted Emma Wade-Smith, UK’s trade commissioner for Africa, discussing the UK’s trade priorities post-Brexit.
Mzukisi Qobo, Head of Wits School of Governance, and Mjumo Mzyece, Associate Professor of Technology and Operations Management, write that South Africa should capitalize on US-China tensions.
ENGINEERING AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT
Rea Nkhumise (BSc Eng 2013) was inspired to create a machine that makes pap, without stirring.
Dr Vukosi Marivate (BSc Eng 2007, MSc Eng 2009), research group leader for data science at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, and his team are developing social media analytics, mapping geolocation tools to aid public safety through social media.
Martin Masitise (BSc Eng 2008, MSc 2011), co-founder and chief executive at Mohlalefi Engineering took a leap of faith and started his own company which employs 36 people. He is profiled in this radio interview and shares how he draws inspiration from nature.
MEDICINE
David Bayever, from the Faculty of Pharmacy, explains the effect of alcohol on the brain.
Professor Ebrahim Variava (MBBCh 1990, DTM&H 1993) was suspended without warning from his post of Head of Internal Medicine at Tshepong Hospital where he has worked tirelessly for 20 years. The decision sparked outrage from respected medical professionals.
HUMANITIES
Dr Julian Brown, associate professor in Political Studies at Wits, joined Sputnik for a radio interview on events of 16 June 1976 when a peaceful march and was met by violence.
Popular actress Mampho Brescia (BA 2005), profiled on her career journey.
Candice Chirwa (BA 2017, BA Hon 2018 MA 2019), menstruation activist and brand ambassador at Lil-Lets South Africa talks about World Menstruation Hygiene day.
Author and scholar Jacob Dlamini (BA Hon 2003) talks about his latest book The Terrorist Album.
Marianne Fassler (BA Hon 1974), fashion designer, profiled in this City Press article.
Marianne Thamm reviews The Undeniable: Memoir of a Covert War, latest book from Philippa Garson (BA Hons 1989).
Ferial Haffajee (BA 1989) associate editor at Daily Maverick, explores the disbandment of Lindiwe Sisulu’s rapid response team.
- Tracks local Instagram posts about racism experienced at top private schools in South Africa as a spin-off impact of Black Lives Matter protests.
- Asks what’s behind Julius Malema’s foul language directed at the president.
- Asks if Tito Mboweni’s budget can cut through lobbyists and service the public good.
- Offered a critique to the debate around UCT Professor Nicoli Nattrass’s research.
Judge Dennis Davis interviews Adam Habib, Vice-Chancellor of Wits, about politics and education.
- Expresses concern about financial impact of pandemic on finances of students.
- On how to manage “Verwoed’s political stepchildren”
- Habib’s Rebels and Rage (Jonathan Ball) was shortlisted for the Recht Malan Prize for non-fiction.
- Argues that angry activism needs to be balanced with measured public deliberation.
- Writes with Alexandra Leisegang about how to deal with contentious and controversial statues.
- Expresses concern about financial impact of pandemic on finances of students.
Isabel Hofmeyr, Professor of African Literature and Charne Lavery explore the Indian Ocean as a rich archive of history.
Aspasia Karras (BA 1994, PDM 1995, MM 1999) writes about art and flowers.
William Kentridge (BA 1977, DLitt honoris causa 2004) says Johannesburg feels at the edge of social chaos and "improvising all the time".
- His short film Mayakovsky: A Tragedy, with the Centre for Less Good Idea, is being shown online in support of London’s Coronet Theatre.
- Held a virtual book launch.
Fred Khumalo (MA 2015) writes that chauvinism comes in many shades.
Malose Langa, Associate Professor of Psychology at Wits writes why society needs to stop stereotyping black men.
Kathy Munro (BA 1967, Honorary Associate Professor) writes one of the earliest and most important items of South African Railway History goes on sale.
John Matisonn (BA 1996) acclaimed author writes America are set to turn on Trump. Obstruction of justice is way of life for Trump.
Professor Achille Mbembe, research professor at Wits Institute for Economic Research, writes about the universal right to breathe.
- From the archives, Le Monde diplomatique republishes this article from June 1992 on the cultural sources of black radicalism.
- German politicians and the hornet’s nest accusing the renowned academic of antisemitism.
Jonny Steinberg (BA 1992, BA Hon 1993, MA 1995) awarded Recht Malan Prize for his non-fiction book One Day in Bethlehem.
- Chats to SA Jewish Review about his latest book One Day in Bethlehem.
- Argues giving money to the poor is only way to prevent mass starvation.
- Writes the US still has vigorous institutions.
Honorary professor from International Relations, Professor John Stemlau in this radio interview about Trump’s leadership and police violence.
Raymond Suttner (PhD 2006) writes about the 65th anniversary of the adoption of the Freedom Charter.
Professor Claudine Storbeck, director at Centre for Deaf Studies, participated in Wits Impacts for Good podcast series. She champions the cause of the deaf community by ensuring that all babies and children are given equal access to education and opportunities in order to develop to their full potential.
Dr Jo Vearey (PhD 2010), Associate Professor in the African Centre for Migration and Society, fighting for the inclusion of African migrants in South Africa's 网易体育 response.
SCIENCE
Lee Berger, Chair of Palaeo-anthropology at the Evolution Studies Institute, tells how to turn scientific research into a visual story.
Professor Musa Manzi (BSc 2008, BSc Hon 2009, PhD 2013), was profiled in the Wits Impacts For Good podcast series.
Neil Rusch, research assistant in the School of Geography, Archeology and Environmental studies, wonders about the origins of alcohol.
Dr Melanie Samson (MA 2004) Senior lecturer in Human Geography, is involved in a pilot project to help reclaimers integrate into the Johannesburg waste collection.
Professor Zeblon Vilakazi writes that education is more important than just supplying content. He was also profiled in this piece.