Convocation
It begins with the students
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n August 2023 Kgomotso Mufamadi (BA 2006, LLB 2009, LLM 2011) became the new President of Convocation for a four-year term. Kgomotso is an attorney of the High Court of South Africa, a qualified commissioner of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration and a lecturer at the University of Johannesburg. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political studies and law, a Bachelor of Laws degree as well as a master’s in intellectual property and media law. She is a fellow of both Brightest Young Minds and the Aspen Institute’s African Leadership Initiative, a recipient of the Inyathelo Youth in Philanthropy Award and was among the Mail & Guardian's Top 200 Young South Africans in 2015. She serves on several boards and is currently reading towards a doctorate in labour law. She told WITSReview “My vision for my term is focused on improved student engagement as I am of the view that alumni engagement begins in our formative
Image: Brett Eloff
years at the university. I am committed to improving the public profile of Convocation. I look forward to continuously crafting and reshaping my vision as my journey progresses.” Convocation is a statutory body and the name given to the University’s largest constituency – its alumni. Over 200 000 graduates, Wits academic staff, and retired academics with 10 consecutive years’ service to the University make up Convocation. Convocation is guided by legislation, Wits Statute and the Wits Rules. The role of Convocation is “to discuss and state its opinion upon any matter relating to the University”. The President of Convocation leads the executive team of Convocation and is a member of Council (the governing body of the University) and plays a formal role at graduation ceremonies. The President works in collaboration with the Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor, the Alumni Relations Office and the Development and Fundraising Office. 7
