Wits Traditions
The Wits Parade
Wits Spirit Game
2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015
Engineering Spring Breakfast
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2010 | 2009
Pillow Fight
2017 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2009
Founders' Tea
2024 | 2023 I 2022 I 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2009 | 2008
Kudu Road Race
Wits Night Run
Wits Men's Res Traditions
Superstition of the Jacarandas
Spring in Jozi brings with it the blossoming of the beautiful jacaranda flowers.
Witsies believe that if the purple Jacaranda blossoms fall on your head, and you haven't started studying for your year-end exams, then it's probably too late and you're doomed to failure.
What is fascinating, is that climate change has seen the date of bloom has advanced from October to early weeks of September. This is referred to as a phenological shift and is being observed across a range of species. The strongest driver is the increased maximum daily temperatures during the month of June - the dormant period of the trees. As temperatures continue to increase, the risk of heat stress on the trees is heightened.
Rather than doom, take the bloom as a reminder to start studying!