What if the ground beneath our feet whispered stories of mines and dreams? That’s Johannesburg. It’s also home to the University of the Witwatersrand. Known as Wits, it’s not just an educational institution. It is a landmark. It’s a place where the past and the future collide.
The University of the Witwatersrand started as the South African School of Mines in 1896. It was in Kimberley. Mining was booming. Education in mining was essential. In 1904, the school moved to Johannesburg. It became the Transvaal Technical Institute. More changes followed. In 1922, it finally gained full university status. It became the University of the Witwatersrand.
Prince Arthur of Connaught became Wits’ first Chancellor. Professor Jan H. Hofmeyr was its first Principal. Building began at Milner Park. The Johannesburg municipality donated the site. In 1923, the university moved to Milner Park. The first buildings housed Geology, Botany, and Zoology.
Wits grew. It added faculties like Arts, Science, Medicine, and Engineering. By 1939, student numbers reached 2544. After World War II, numbers surged. Space became a problem. The University of the Witwatersrand built temporary huts. These huts were used until 1972.
The University of the Witwatersrand stood firm against apartheid. It maintained a policy of non-discrimination. This commitment faced a severe test in 1959. The government enforced university apartheid. Wits protested. Despite the challenges, Wits remained a beacon of resistance.
Expansion continued. Additional property was acquired. The medical library moved to Hillbrow in 1964. The Graduate School of Business opened in Parktown in 1968. Braamfontein also saw expansion. Lawson’s Corner became University Corner in 1976. Senate House opened in 1977.
Today, the University of the Witwatersrand has five faculties. These are Commerce, Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, and Science. About 41000 students attend Wits. The library system is vast. It holds over 1.5 million books.
There are some interesting traditions at the University of the Witwatersrand. Engineering students celebrate the arrival of spring. They prepare breakfast in their pajamas. Superstition surrounds the Jacaranda flowers. If a purple flower falls on your head before you study, you are doomed to failure.
Wits University has a rich history and heritage. It is linked to mining, academic excellence, and activism. From its start as a school of mines to its current status as a leading university, Wits has always been a symbol of progress.
So, as you stand here at the University of the Witwatersrand, remember its story. It is a story of transformation. It is a story of resilience. It is a story of a university that has shaped a city and a nation. The University of the Witwatersrand remains committed to knowledge and progress.