Homecoming weekend to

Wits University welcomed students, staff, alumni and friends back to campus for a homecoming weekend in September to celebrate its 100th birthday.

● Wits University welcomed students, staff, alumni and friends back to campus for a homecoming weekend in September to celebrate its 100th birthday.

The centennial celebrations kicked off with a mass parade through the streets of Braamfontein, where approximately 9,000 staff members and students gathered in colourful fashion to open the weekend.

by artist Marcus Neustetter.

The centennial celebrations kicked off with a mass parade through the streets of Braamfontein, where approximately 9,000 staff members and students gathered in colourful fashion to open the weekend .

“For 100 years the institution and its staff, students, and alumni have played an integral role in the development of the university, the City of Johannesburg, and our country, and have made a global impact ‘for good’,” said Vilakazi at the opening of the parade.

Witsies painted Braamfontein blue and gold, before settling on the Wits Library lawns for a picnic and a multimedia light show that painted the iconic Great Hall in a dramatic and innovative collaboration of a light show, dancing and improvised movement, produced and directed by artist Marcus Neustetter.

Witsies painted Braamfontein blue and gold, before settling on the Wits Library lawns for a picnic and a multimedia light show that painted the iconic Great Hall in a dramatic and innovative collaboration of a light show, dancing and improvised movement, produced and directed

“For 100 years the institution and its staff, students, and alumni have played an integral role in the development of the university, the City of Johannesburg, and our country, and have made a global impact ‘for good’,” said Vilakazi at the opening of the parade.

All the Wits facilities, including the Origins Museum, Planetarium and Wits Art Museum were open to the public, hosting an assortment of exhibitions, film screenings and theatre performances such as the annual Yebo Gogga festival and the last-ever shows of the old Zeiss Star Projector in the Planetarium.

Giving voice to Wits’ commitment to freedom of speech and social activism, the weekend’s festivities climaxed with the multigenerational star-studded Free People’s concert, with a special tribute performance to alumnus Johnny Clegg, by his son, Jesse Clegg, as well as other former Witsies, such as Claire Johnston from Mango Groove and a special guest appearance by Vusi MahlaselaThe younger generation of Witsies, meanwhile, got a chance to dance the night away with performances by hip-hop great, Big Zulu, and Samthing Soweto.

All the Wits facilities, including the Origins Museum, Planetarium and Wits Art Museum were open to the public, hosting an assortment of exhibitions, film screenings and theatre performances such as the annual Yebo Gogga festival and the last-ever shows of the old Zeiss Star Projector in the Planetarium.

Giving voice to Wits’ commitment to freedom of speech and social activism, the weekend’s festivities climaxed with the

The weekend was not just about festivities, however, as Witsies of generations past and present were honoured by the unveiling of multigenerational star-studded Free People’s concert, with special tribute performance alumnus Johnny Clegg, by Jesse Clegg, as well as other Witsies, such as Claire Johnston from Mango Groove and guest appearance by Vusi Mahlasela. immersive, multisensory, multidimensional resource. Like an theatre experience just Many researchers across fields feel as if we are drowning in data. the same time, data sets are becoming more complex and more multidimensional. A resource like new Digital Dome is a way of more intuitive understanding of big data,” says Deane.

Professor Roger Deane Director of the Wits Centre for Astrophysics

The technology will be a boon to trans-disciplinary research and applications is critical to give the new Digital Dome continued relevance, access for those from disadvantaged communities in particular, and for it to justify the big spend,” says Deane.

The Wits council has already committed the seed funds and a corporate donor is also onboard. Construction of the new Digital Dome has already started.