Statement from the Wits Council - 19 March 2021
Statement from the Council of Wits University on the funding of higher education in South Africa.
Update from the Senior Executive Team - 17 March 2021
Update to staff and students.
Update from the Senior Executive Team - 14 March 2021
SET and SRC meets.
Wits' response to the national higher education financial crisis
Professor Zeblon Vilakazi unpacks the issues and details Wits’ support for students.
WATCH: VC’s media conference on higher education financial crisis
Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, Vice-Chancellor and Principal, held a media conference on Thursday, 11 March 2021.
Wits statement on the passing of a civilian in Braamfontein today
Statement from the Senior Executive Team:
Over 25 000 students logged in online on Monday
Message to students from the Senior Executive Team:
Wits academic year begins on Monday, 8 March 2021
35 000 students are registered for the 2021 academic year.
Welcome to 2018, Witsies
Professor Adam Habib explains how free education will be further rolled out in future in his first video message to students and staff for 2018.
Gateways Project construction commencement notice
Construction work to upgrade the entrance at the Oppenheimer Life Sciences steps and to create the new Sutton Close entrance will commence on 7 March 2018.
Fees and funding 2018
Notice to new and current students: Important information pertaining to student fees and funding for 2018.
Protocols for protests
Communique from the Senior Executive Team on protocols for protests.
Update on protests at Yale Road North re: accommodation issues (09:00)
STATEMENT FROM THE SENIOR EXECUTIVE TEAM ABOUT PROTESTS ON YALE ROAD NORTH RE: ACCOMMODATION ISSUES (09:00)
Message from the Senior Executive Team of Wits University
[WATCH] Welcome address to all students and staff by Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Adam Habib.
Statement from Wits University
Former senior manager arrested in the US for alleged money laundering.
Wits fee increase for 2017
Statement from the Senior Executive Team:
Wits completes 2016 academic year, ready for 2017 intake
All examinations were concluded successfully yesterday, without disruption. Supplementary and deferred examinations will now be written in December and January.
Update on the implementation of Wits’ Transformation Plan
The University announced an accelerated plan to advance transformation through a number of key strategies.
Examinations went ahead as planned today
Students who feel traumatised or unprepared to write examinations due to the recent protests are advised to apply for deferred examinations.
Attempted interdict against examinations dismissed
Exams to go ahead as scheduled with the University's normal rules around exams and accommodation in place.
Examinations to continue as scheduled
Update from the Senior Executive Team (10:00):
Warning against scam phone calls
University warns students against anonymous calls, threatening students with expulsion.
Reports of intimidation to sign a petition
Statement from the Senior Executive Team (17:00):
Restrictions lifted
Senior Executive Team (10:00):
Examination procedures for students
Statement from the Senior Executive Team (17:00):
Is the claim that university ‘Fees Must Fall’ at odds with the democratic project?
Wits Chancellor, Justice Dikgang Moseneke, calls for an Education Codesa on FeesMustFall impasse.
Wits Council calls on SA president to address higher education sector crisis
Statement from the Council of the University of the Witwatersrand:
Wits completes lectures for 2016
Message from the Senior Executive Team (09:00):
Free mobile data for students
Telkom, Cell C, Vodacom and MTN have agreed to provide mobile data services for students to access academic material until the end of the year.
Absa bank donates R10 million towards supporting Wits' “missing middle”
The University will allocate the funds towards supporting a minimum of 250 students.
Access cards are for students and staff use only
Update from the Senior Executive Team (10:00):
University is reviewing 2016 Medium Term Budget announcement
Update from the Senior Executive Team (17:00):
Wits bus set alight in Braamfontein
Bus services run with additional security and pick-ups and drop-offs will occur within campus perimeters.
Minor incidents reported as all lectures went ahead today
Protestors urged to keep to designated areas of protest.
Counselling services offered to students after protests
Academic programme going ahead as scheduled.
Calm day on Wits campuses
Peaceful demonstration by students with disabilities and workers the only protest action today.
Nighttime restriction of movement on campus relaxed
No major incidents reported over the weekend.
Classes and exams disrupted but academic programme resumes on Monday
Students who have been identified as having violated the University’s rules are being suspended.
Impact of protests on Wits community
UPDATE FROM THE SENIOR EXECUTIVE TEAM (10:00):
Students injured in protests
95% of all classes went ahead as scheduled across all campuses.
Fire in the Wartenweiler Library
About 100 books were damaged and a high-level investigation is underway by Wits Security and the police.
University committed to peaceful negotiations to find solutions
Wits stays committed to solving issues, which can only be resolved at national level.
Update: Student in court and concerned black staff protest
Academic programme goes ahead with no reports of disruptions.
Class attendance growing amidst protests
Update on incidents on campus and list of study venues open at night.
University activities continue through day without disruptions
Study venues and computer labs on campus that stay open after 10pm announced.
Update on incidents and restrictions on campus
Senior Executive Team update on incidents on Wits campus.
Eight students suspended, 11 arrested
Update from the Senior Executive Team (10:00):
All University activities go ahead today
Update from the Senior Executive Team (06:30):
Academic programme continues on Friday
Update from the Senior Management Team (18:00):
Mediators say student leaders won't attend meeting
Update from the Senior Executive Team (17:00):
Management reiterates its complete commitment to negotiations
Update from Senior Executive Team (14:00):
Agreement to open dialogue
Update from the Senior Executive Team (10:00):
Academic calendar and graduations
Update from the Senior Executive Team (16:30):
Classes continue today
Update from the Senior Executive Team (10:30):
Lectures continued today
Update from the Senior Executive Team (13:30):
Classes on track at Wits
Update from the Senior Executive Team (10:00):
Wits remains open on Tuesday
Update from Senior Executive Team (18:00):
Statement on disruptions and classes today
Update from the Senior Executive Team (13:00):
Students urged to return to class to save academic year
Update from the Senior Executive Team (10:00):
Wits classes to resume on Monday, 10 October 2016
Statement from the Senior Executive Team (22:00)
Update from the Senior Executive Team (15:30)
Statement from SET to clarify the chain of events as they occurred today:
Draft pledge on access to higher education
[READ] Draft pledge that Wits University would have made at the General Assembly (postponed) today.
General Assembly postponed
Urgent announcement from the Statement from the Senior Executive Team (08:30):
Agreement reached on these three conditions
Update from the Senior Executive Team (11:00) on agreement reached, academic programme and General Assembly:
Agreement reached - Academic Programme to resume on Monday, 10 October 2016
Update from Senior Executive Team - 04.10.16 (22:00)
Classes resume at Wits tomorrow
Talks to reach a negotiated settlement with protesting students ongoing.
Management trying to engage protesting students
Update from Senior Executive Team (13:00):
Lectures are underway
Update from Senior Executive Team on University opening (09:00):
Work with me to try to save the 2016 academic year - Habib
Letter from Professor Adam Habib, Vice-Chancellor and Principal:
Wits staff to return on Monday, academic programme to resume on Tuesday
Phased opening of the University follows several engagements with a range of stakeholders, including students.
Preliminary staff poll results
Wits SET announcement on preliminary staff poll results.
SET position on quality, free higher education
Wits SET clarifies its position on quality, free higher education.
#WitsPoll: Majority of students support going back to class on Monday
The University is still waiting for auditors to verify the staff poll and will make results available as they come through.
#WitsPoll to take place on Thursday
Students and staff are strongly encouraged to participate in a poll regarding the resumption of the academic programme.
Details of electronic poll for staff and students
Update from the Senior Executive Team (17:00) on Thursday's poll:
Condolences from Wits University
It was with great sadness that the University learnt about the passing of Mr Celumusa Ntuli.
Wits extends sympathies to worker's next of kin
The University has received a report that an employee of one of our service providers who worked in a residence passed away last week.
Wits to poll staff and students
Update on academic activities from the Senior Executive Team (15:00):
Response to letters and calls from concerned Wits community
Here follows the response from the Senior Executive Team to messages from concerned students, parents and staff:
Letters from concerned students, staff and parents
Following the suspension of University activities, Wits has received hundreds of emails and calls:
Message from the Senior Executive Team - 20:00
Petrol bombs found on campus
Update from the Senior Executive Team - 17:00
"The University will resume normal activities once we can guarantee the safety and security of staff, students and property."
Wits extends suspension of University activities
Notice from the Senior Executive Team (13:30):
Update from the Senior Executive Team (10:00)
The University remains calm this morning without incident.
Statement on violence in Braamfontein
Wits condemns the acts of violence that led to arrests and injuries.
University suspends all activities
Statement from the Senior Executive Team:
Statement from Wits University - 16:00
Update from the Senior Executive Team on the situation on campus on Tuesday:
Update from Senior Executive Team
Update from the Senior Executive Team on the situation on campus during student protests.
Wits academic programme continues
Business as usual at Wits after the announcement by Minister of Higer Education, Dr Blade Nzimande, regarding fee increases.
Statement from Wits University in response to Minister's announcement on 2017 fee increment
The University of the Witwatersrand notes the announcement made by Dr Blade Nzimande, Minister of Higher Education and Training today.
Disruptions at dining hall and Matrix
Senior Executive Team statement: Security has been reinforced on campus and police are on standby.
Court order now final
The South Gauteng High has made court interdict final on 25 April 2016.
Response from the Senior Executive Team to education students
Wits management commits to working with student representatives to resolve funding issues.
Disruptions on education campus
The situation is contained and protesters have dispersed.
Update: New security systems in place
Statement from the Senior Executive Team on measures to curb unlawful activities.
Naming committee recommends Senate House be renamed Solomon Mahlangu House
Notice from Professor Tawana Kupe, Chairperson of the Naming Committee:
University management update [11:30]
Statement from the Senior Executive Team on actions taken following disruptions on Monday:
Wits condemns disruptive and illegal behaviour [19:30]
Tuesday classes continue as normal after politically orchestrated protests disrupted campus activities.
Update: No student is deregistered for not paying fees [15:30]
Statement from Senior Executive Team: Police asked to intervene and arrest individual for criminal acts.
Update: Protest and criminal acts [14:30]
Statement from the Senior Executive Team: University activities continue.
What to do if disruption occurs
Guidelines for how to respond when faced with disruptions, violence or threats:
Update: Disruption of University activities - 10:00
Senior Executive Team statement on protest violating court order.
Statement from the Senior Executive Team on 2016 fees
Clarification on the payment of fees due by end of March 2016.
Safety and Security at Wits
The University will take action against anyone involved in acts of violence on our campuses, in line with our rules, policies and procedures.
14 individuals arrested on campus today
About 14 individuals were arrested and taken to the Hillbrow Police Station on Friday for violating a court order obtained by the University earlier this year.
University continues to operate as usual
The Wits Senior Executive Team assures staff and students that University continues to operate as usual.
Attempted occupation of Senate House
An update on yesterday's attempt by students to unlawfully occupy the Concourse of Senate House.
Senior executive statement on food and accommodation.
The Office of the Dean of Students, together with internal stakeholders, is proactively addressing students' food and accommodation needs.
Wits is fast-tracking the NSFAS appeals process
Senior Executive Team statement on appeals process.
Clarity on “top up allowance” that applies to workers of service providers
Senior Executive Team statement on Insourcing Task Team (ITT).
Offensive graffiti on campus
Senior Executive Team statement at 14:30:
Interim court order extended
The interim court order, issued 15 January 2016, will remain in effect until 25 April 2016 when the matter will be heard on the opposed roll.
Insourcing Task Team feedback
Update from the Senior Executive Team regarding insourcing:
Education Minister, VCs meet to discuss way forward
Statement by the Ministry of Higher Education and Training following a meeting with 26 vice-chancellors and rectors:
Management and SRC agreement
Wits University Management and the Wits Students’ Representative Council have reached agreement on a range of issues that are summarised here:
University management, SRC reach agreement
Message from the Senior Executive Team at 08:00:
Gauteng VCs call on leaders to help stabilise higher education
Media briefing: Statement by the vice-chancellors and rectors of the public universities in Gauteng at 15:00:
Response to critique of campus safety and security arrangements
Open letter by Professor Adam Habib on behalf of the Senior Executive Team:
Wits brings in additional security, obtains court order
Senior Executive Team statement at 16:00:
Notification of Interim Court Order
The University obtained an Interim Court Order in the South Gauteng High Court on 15 January 2016.
Wits denies allegations that students were assaulted
Senior Executive Team statement:
Update on student protest and registration
Senior Executive Team statement at 09:00:
Registration update for students/guardians
Senior Executive Team statement at 13:30:
First fee payment and historical debt
Senior Executive Team statement at 13:00:
Management engaging with student groups
Senior Executive Team statement at 09:00: