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Wits symbols and traditions
The Mace
The Wits mace was created by a Scottish silversmith and engraver, William Kirk. The amber stone in the mace is a tribute to former Chancellor Bertrand Bernstein (Bernstein is German for amber stone). The words Universitas Witwatersrandensis Johannesburgi and MCMLXXVI (Roman numerals for 1977) refer to the year of dedication of the mace.
The mace is a symbol of the authority vested in the Chancellor and of the mandate of the University to grant degrees.
The University mace is presented at all graduation ceremonies
Gold and silver plated
Vertical blades symbolise the horns of the springbok
Central vertical spike depicts a mining rock drill, representative of the University’s mining heritage
Amber stone is a tribute to a former Chancellor Bertrand Bernstein
Cogs symbolise the cogwheel in the University coat of arms – a tribute to mining and industry
7kg
1070 mm long | 180 mm broad
Maces were originally ‘swords of state’ and weapons of defence. Over time, a mace has come to be regarded as a symbol of delegated authority vested in a person or an institution.
Coat of arms
The motto “Scientia et Labore” is Latin for “through knowledge and through work”
Above the shield is the head of a Kudu, a powerful southern African antelope
The gold background in the upper part of the shield represents the Witwatersrand gold fields
The open book represents learning/ knowledge, overlaid on a cog to represent industry
The two wavy silver bars in the lower half of the shield symbolise the Vaal and Limpopo Rivers
The crest reflects the University colours of blue and gold
The Wits coat of arms is an adaptation of the South African School of Mines badge. It has evolved over time to reflect various influences on Wits and the academic nature of a university.
The Wits mascot
Affectionately known as “Kudos Kudu” Kudos Kudu is imbued with the characteristics that generally typify successful Witsies. He is a leader and an achiever; intelligent, confident, and with a wild, independent streak. Naturally curious and inquisitive, Kudos is an innovative and progressive thinker and problem-solver who is socially aware, charitable, compassionate, tolerant and civic-minded. His innate stamina and endurance enable him to work his magic relentlessly towards unifying Witsies, lifting their spirits, pride and passion and bringing them good luck.
Kudos is tolerant, gentle and kind, but he’s no push-over. Some of Kudos’s natural irritants include the African Hoopoe, which nests at the University of Johannesburg, and the gnome-like ‘Oom Gert’, who, since being kidnapped by Witsies in the 1950s, seldom emerges from his hideout at the University of Pretoria. Ikey Tiger, who prowls the University of Cape Town, and Pokkel S. Quirrel, a rodent at the University of Stellenbosch, remain on Kudos’s radar.
The mascot of Wits University, Kudos Kudu, is a cool and cosmopolitan Joburger who is proudly Witsie, proudly South African and a global citizen.
Although Kudos is hard-working, he isn’t averse to kicking up his hooves and having fun! He loves meeting Witsies and celebrating their achievements. He is an extremely loyal friend to Witsies and does everything he can to make sure all Witsies are his BFF. Be sure to let him know when you move so he can stay in touch.
Kudos
Where does Kudos Kudu come from?
Kudos has resided quietly on the Wits Coat of Arms since 4 October 1922 and has always been looking after Witsies. However, in 2007 he decided to make his presence more visible on campus to unite students in support of a “Proudly Witsie” campaign, initiated by the Student Representatives’ Council. Kudos made his debut appearance on October 20 at the Bidvest-Wits vs Santos football match. Other Witsies met Kudos the next day, at the University’s 85th anniversary celebrations on the Library Lawns.
Kudos soon found comfortable lodgings for his sister, brother and himself at Alumni House on the West Campus. He entranced the Alumni Relations staff with his magnetic appeal and they gave him a permanent home. The Alumni staff consider it an honour and a privilege to keep Kudos wellgroomed, run his errands, and manage his busy schedule of appointments and appearances.
A Kudu is a beautiful, large and powerful African antelope with magnificent annulated spiral horns, a remarkable sense of hearing, a keen sense of smell and sharp eyesight. Kudus can outrun most animals, jump a 1.5 m fence from a standing start and can kick with a force strong enough to break a jackal’s back.
Ms Kudos
You can also find him on Facebook where you can “friend” him and join the Wits Fan Page.
Where did Kudos get his name?
Alumna and Wits librarian Diane Hillman (BA 1974, BA Hons 1990) submitted the name ‘Kudos’ in response to a competition the Alumni Office ran in 2007 to name the Kudu. ‘Kudos’ is derived from a Greek noun meaning ‘honour, glory and praise for exceptional achievement’ – all attributes that typify successful Witsies.
Kudly Kudos
Where you can find him
Kudos can be found wherever Witsie spirit, pride and passion is needed. Family is important to him and he enjoys spending time with his sister, Witsie Ms Kudos, and their younger brother and future Witsie, Kudly Kudos.
Some of Kudos’s regular haunts include graduation ceremonies, where he congratulates graduands and welcomes them to the Alumni and Convocation fold; major campus sports and social events; O-Week; and surprise walkabouts around campus to meet and greet Witsies.
Phineas
Mascot history
Some traditions endure, others don’t, and such was the fate of (furry) Mr Wu, who now resides in the University Archives in Senate House.
Phineas III now keeps silent sentinel in the Wits Alumni Lounge & Pub, West Campus.
Phineas
The original Phineas was the Highlander mascot of University College, London. His namesake, Phineas II, was a seven-foot wooden replica used to promote a barber shop in Jules Street, Johannesburg.
Phineas II was loaned to the newly established Wits University to serve as its mascot in 1923. However, that same year, Ikeys (UCT) abducted Phineas II. There are differing accounts on what subsequently happened to Phineas II. One theory is that he was reclaimed by his original owner.
Phineas III emerged under mysterious circumstances around 1930. He proved to be as slippery as his predecessors and fell into the hands of Tukkies (University of Pretoria) in 1931. This marked the beginning of a series of raids between students of the two universities. Phineas III retired from active service in 1971 with the cessation of the Intervarsity tournament. He emerged briefly in 1987 as the Wits Rugby mascot and was insured for R10 000.
Zorbo: RAG mascot, 1960s and 70s
Zorro
Zorro, the Men’s Res cat, was more of a residence fixture than a mascot. Zorro distinguished himself in the noisy act of lovemaking. According to legend, on one such particularly amorous occasion, Sunnyside Res second-years were unable to endure his amorous noises any longer. The result was an infamous assault to which Zorro succumbed. He was buried with a bottle of Claret (to keep his memory sweet). Zorro’s tombstone (erected with ‘borrowed’ bricks) is at the back door garden of Old College House.
Mr Wu
In an anonymous letter to the University, a man from Port Elizabeth wrote:
This Mr Wu made occasional public appearances (as did another mascot, “Mompara”, who materialised briefly in the 1930s) but remained very much in the shadow of Phineas II.
In the 1980s, Mr Wu emerged as a cuddly, furry mascot based on the American sit-com TV character, Alf – a far cry from the historic, imposing figure of the 1920s.
Ducks and Pigeons
Ducks loom large in the student psyche, particularly since Wits campuses are home to many wild creatures that look like ducks, but are actually Egyptian geese. The most famous “duck” is Penelope, the Knockando Res mascot and co-custodian of the Duck & Bull Pub.
Pillow fight
Traditions
Witsies believe that if one of the purple Jacaranda flowers falls on your head, and you haven’t started studying for your year-end exams, then it’s probably too late and you’re doomed to failure.
Engineering Spring Breakfast
Engineering students gather early in the morning on the first day of September each year and prepare breakfast to celebrate the arrival of spring. While they are meant to wear pyjamas, many students nowadays just dress outrageously.
Knock Streak
Not condoned by the University, this risqué tradition of Knockando Residence students running naked through Parktown to visit the women’s residences after imbibing ‘Courage Juice’ has endured for decades.
Superstition of the Jacarandas
Spring in Jozi brings with it the blossoming of the beautiful Jacaranda flowers. Witsies believe that if one of the purple flowers falls on your head, and you haven’t started studying for your year-end exams, then it’s probably too late and you’re doomed to failure.
Skiffyskofbaas Day (Miners’ Day)
Mining Engineering students don their underground mining gear for Skiffyskofbaas Day in July/August each year and traipse around campus in a miningrelated rendition of ‘trick or treat’. ‘Skiffy’ translates loosely to menial worker (‘skivvy’), while ‘skofbaas’ refers to a shift boss. After the festivities the students down a pint at Ore House on West Campus. Nowadays Skiffyskofbaas Day is known as the more politically correct ‘Miners’ Day’.
Pillow Fight
In what originated as a fundraiser to beat a Guinness World Record for the number of participants in a pillow fight, Witsies now gather on the Library Lawns every September, armed with pillows to pummel each other in a riotous explosion of feathers, fabric and foam.
History of traditions
RAG
RAG
RAG magazine
Wits students held an annual Rag (Remember and Give) Parade after an intensive six-week charity fundraising campaign.
Forty years ago the University had strict rules about acceptable dress on its grounds.
Student dress-code
The standard ‘uniform’ for students at Wits University today is jeans, but just 40 years ago the University had strict rules about acceptable dress on its grounds.
It’s hard to believe that Wits, a bastion of free-thinking, would dictate what students wore, but up to the 1960s women were only allowed to wear formal dresses and men were required to wear trousers and shirts with a collar and tie, as decreed in the 1922 dress rules.
In the mid-1960s students rebelled, wearing more casual clothing. As a result, the rules were relaxed. In 1967, women were allowed to wear trousers, and men were permitted to wear open-necked shirts without ties or jackets. Shorts were allowed – provided they were worn with ‘long stockings’. Women were permitted to wear skirts, blouses and trouser suits, but only in the libraries; trousers could not be worn in lecture halls.
Mr and Miss Wits
The Mr and Miss Wits beauty pageant used to take place annually in the Great Hall with a panel of celebrity judges. During their reign, Mr and Miss Wits were required to do charity work and to encourage students to do the same.
Wits Rag
For many decades, Wits students held an annual Rag (Remember and Give) Parade after an intensive six-week charity fundraising campaign. After many festive nights spent decorating their floats, students would take to the streets of Johannesburg in their finest fancy dress, parading through town and showing off their fabulous floats in an attempt to win the award for best float. In the run-up to the parade, students would hit the streets selling copies of Wits Wits Rag magazine, in a campaign commonly known as the “Wits blitz”.
Each year, a Rag Queen was elected and, after the parade, a Rag Ball was held in the Examinations Hall. The ball was always a most elegant affair where only evening gowns and dinner suits were considered appropriate attire.
Graduation Ball
Graduation Ball was a festive and formal annual event organised by students. The Ball, usually held at the Wanderers Hall, saw a host of high-profile guests mingle with recent graduates dressed in their finest attire, in the hope of being mentioned in the local newspaper. The Hall was decorated in Wits blue and gold, and dinner, drinks and dancing to a live band were the order of the day. The SRC election results were traditionally announced at the Ball.
Inter-Varsity
Today Wits University sport is most famous for its Premier League football team, Bidvest Wits FC or the “Clever Boys”. However, back in the day, rugby was the most popular game on campus and the Inter- Varsity tournament against the University of Pretoria (“Tukkies”) was the highlight of the sporting calendar. For weeks prior to the match, students would gear up for the game with sing-songs to boost morale and student support. New students would learn the varsity song, led by cheerleaders.
Back in the day, rugby was the most popular game on campus and the Inter- Varsity tournament against the University of Pretoria (“Tukkies”) was the highlight of the sporting calendar.
There were also clandestine raids between the two universities, mainly involving students living in residence. The raids were a fun way to rile the opposition ahead of an important match. In 1956, a Wits University raid resulted in Tukkies’ administration buildings being painted red. The controversy generated by such events resulted in the raids being banned in the 1950s. Though students continued the raids illicitly, they eventually stopped in the 1960s when a student was killed in a car-chase.
