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Jane Goodall
‘Small acts have a big impact’
Wits was honoured to host renowned conservationist Dame Jane Goodall DBE for a fireside chat in the last week of February at the Wits Origins Centre. The event, organised by the Oppenheimer Generations Research and Conservation in conjunction with the Future Ecosystem for Africa programme at Wits, was titled “Protect, Manage, Restore”. It featured a conversation between Goodall and a panel of local researchers, including Professor Sally Archibald (BSc 1997, PhD 2010), the head of Future Ecosystems for Africa programme in the Wits School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences. Goodall gave a short talk reminding the audience that small acts make a global impact and there are many reasons to remain hopeful about the future.
She said: “Every single one of us has some impact on the planet every single day, and, certainly, we have the choice as to what kind of impact we’re going to make. If we start thinking of what we buy, what we eat, or what we wear, or if we ask ourselves whether a product was made by harming the environment, or through being cruel to animals, or whether it is cheap because of [people being paid] unfair wages, then we have a choice, and consumer pressure is beginning to change the way some businesses work.”
See video and images from the event.
WITS THEATRE
A special place for four decades
In the first week of February 2024, the Wits Theatre welcomed distinguished guests, performers, and numerous alumni back to celebrate its 40th anniversary.
This venue has played a key role in the lives of drama students, alumni and Johannesburg since 1983. Formally part of the School of Dramatic Art and Music, now the Wits School of Arts, it still offers a space for students to learn, practise and experiment. The Theatre Complex includes the restored Chris Seabrooke Music Hall, the Great Hall, the Nunnery, the Old Convent Hall and the Downstairs Theatre.
“Looking through the archives of the Wits Theatre, it is important to note that this space has held a special place in people’s hearts,” said head of the School of Arts, Dr Rene Smith.
Among the numerous distinguished guests were: Malcolm Purkey (BA 1975, BA Hons 1976), who was involved with the theatre for over 20 years, Shannon Esra (BA DA 2004), Jerry Mofokeng (BA DA 1987), Mmabatho Mogomotsi (BA DA 1995), Sharon Spiegel-Wagner (BA DA 2006) and Fiona Ramsay (MA DA 2014).
As part of the celebrations, the theatre hosted the Pitso Ya Kalaneng (Call to the Theatre) Festival, which showcased 12 productions of mainly students’ work.
Fireside chat with Dr Eve:
‘People long for connection’
Dr Marlene Wasserman (BA Social Work 1979) shared her expertise as a skilled clinical social worker, and family, couple and sex therapist to explore the topic of “intimate relationships” during an engaging webinar on 28 February. Popularly known as Dr Eve, she told the 260 guests that relationships should be viewed in the context of the environment they’re found in because of the “huge impact it has on how we relate to each other”. An increased awareness of extreme mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression emerged from COVID-19, as well as the concept of loneliness. “Whether you are in a relationship with somebody or single, there is an incredible experience of loneliness to the extent that loneliness is now seen as a form of mental illness,” she said.
“People long for connection, safety and intimacy. People cannot survive without the connection, but it must be a connection where one feels safe.”
Dr Eve also provided insight into a range of questions, from romantic disengagement, infidelity, and childhood trauma to parenting. Some of the alumni comments included: “Thank you for such a wonderful and necessary conversation. Time wasn’t enough”; “A concise and informative session. The one hour was not enough”; and “As an alumnus overseas, I really appreciate the online event.”
Mechanical Engineering Class of 1968
Mechanical Engineering Class of 1968 celebrated the 55th Anniversary Reunion of their graduation on 27 October 2023. Every five years this group has gathered for festive encounters to share personal updates and recollections. Five classmates Diego Sella, Peter Bennett, John Shaw, Francesco Sperotto and Oliver Martin met at a restaurant in Johannesburg to connect with friends further away via Zoom.
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Valentine's Day Dinner
On a glorious summer’s evening, Wits Alumni Relations hosted a Valentine’s Day Dinner for around 70 guests under the stars at the awardwinning Olives & Plates restaurant. Guests were treated to a delicious menu, a violinist, bespoke gifts as well as a photobooth, making it a truly memorable event.
Beginning the 'best years'
Exactly 6 300 new first-year students and their proud families were welcomed on campus on 28 January 2024. “You are entering a lively, challenging, diverse, warm and exciting community," said Dr Isaac Shongwe, chairman of the Wits Council. Students were introduced to the University’s senior executive team and student leaders. They were assured that they would be both challenged and nurtured. “The next few years should be the best years of your lives. You will meet new people, explore new horizons and learn to think critically and laterally...It is a privilege for those of us who get the opportunity to study. It changes your life. It changed mine,” he said.
Alumna and chief executive officer of Discovery Corporate and Employee Benefits Nonkululeko Pitje (BCom 2000), encouraged the students to make the most of all the experiences available: "Understand the concept of opportunity using the art of play in this new playground called Wits. It's a playground where you should not stand on the sidelines; it will challenge you from various perspectives in education, sports, and social life, providing abundant opportunities for you to embrace who you are becoming.”
WITS SPIRIT GAME 2024
To officially mark the start of their lifelong journey as Witsies, first years enjoyed the 2024 Spirit Game hosted by Wits Student Affairs, Wits Sport and Alumni Relations on Friday 9 February 2024 at the Wits Rugby Stadium. Before enjoying an entertaining soccer match between Wits and Orlando Pirates, students were “revealed” as new Witsies. See images and YouTube
2024 VARSITY CUP
Wits and UCT players face off in a scrum during the epic 2024 FNB Varsity Cup clash on 18 March 2024. The visitors led 28-10 at half time, but Witsies flew out in the second half, scoring two tries in the first five minutes – one courtesy of fullback Setshaba Mokoena who ripped through the UCT defence. The scoreboard was 26-33 to the Ikeys with 10 minutes left on the clock, setting the stage for a nervy finale. The Wits crowd remained at full volume, and their spirit was rewarded when Wits prop Ronan Dutton, scrambled over the goal line in the final minute of the game. After a successful conversion, the game ended in a 33-33 draw.
Source: Wits Vuvuzela
DENTAL SCIENCE CLASS OF 1984
Forty-five years ago to the day, on 15 February, a group of 60 young students started their academic journey at Wits Dental School. Of the original class, 45 went on to graduate as dentists in 1984.
Fast forward to the present day, a group of around 20 former students, along with former lecturers and lab technicians gathered for a reunion breakfast to remember the past and celebrate the present.
“I was so green; I was a boy from Bloemfontein and did not know anything about the big city. I will never forget that first day in class, when the PA to the head of school, Louise Gerber, walked in with her bright red hair and piercing blue eyes. She knew all our names and she looked right at me, and said ‘Cahi, spit out your chewing gum, I never want to see you chewing gum again in this dental hospital’,” said Dr Norman Cahi.
Cahi, went on to be class president, president of the Students’ Dental Council and served on the Students’ Representative Council. Today, he, his brother Emile (BDS 1989, MSc Dent 1994) and his daughter Chelsea run a leading dental and prosthodontics practice in Parktown North. He stayed in touch with many of his former classmates, but he said that some people slipped off the radar as they moved out of the profession or emigrated.
The breakfast reunion included a virtual gathering of former classmates living abroad. It was for reconnection and reminiscing but there was a special nod to the professors, lecturers and technicians who were part of their journey to becoming the successful professionals that they are today.
Dr Linda Greenwall, who was Cahi’s classmate, went on to become a specialist in dental whitening. “Forty years was about the right time to let whatever bygones be bygones and to come together to celebrate our achievements and to pay tribute to our teachers. They formed us, shaped us and challenged us,” she said.
Greenwall, who is a third-generation dentist, says that her education at Wits was “second to none”.
For Dr Sam Nudelman (MBBCh 1981, BDS 1984), who went on to qualify as a dentist and a medical doctor, he remembers having to come to class in a tie and pressed white shirt with a white lab jacket.
Former lecturer Professor Bill Evans (BDS 1962) also spoke at the gathering. He laughed remembering the stragglers and latecomers to his class but said the reunion was a moment of deep pride. He says: “It is wonderful to come together today but for a teacher the greatest of privileges is to see when a student has superseded you, gone far ahead. I am so proud today.”
Source: Ufrieda HoFlickr
