Wits graduation ceremony

Graduation ceremony

The ultimate university experience

Graduation ceremonies are a dignified occasion held in the Great Hall. The ceremony begins with the academic procession (Chancellor, President of Convocation, Chairperson of Council, Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellors, guest speaker, honorary graduands, SRC President, and academic staff).

The bearer of the University mace leads the procession to the accompanying songs Alma Mater (‘Nourishing mother’) and Ihele (‘Let us rejoice’).

S.B.P. Mnomiya wrote Ihele, a poetic song that describes the graduation ceremony. Ihele tells the tale of a procession of academics in long robes, who read books of profound knowledge and inspire graduates. The song wishes graduates well and ends with a resounding halala! (‘Well done!’)

During the ceremony, graduands in black academic gowns cross the stage to be capped and hooded. The Chancellor taps his hat on the graduate’s head, thereby conferring the degree, then the President of Convocation places the hood, which represents the qualification awarded, over the graduand’s head.

At graduation the Chancellor of the university formally confers a qualification on a student.

Before the graduation ceremony, graduates traditionally pose for photographs with Kudos Kudu on the Great Hall steps.