Celebrating a Legacy: New Books for Wits Libraries
- Wits University
The Santu Mofokeng Foundation donates books to Wits libraries - strengthening reading culture and Inspiring the next generation.
The Wits School of Arts (WSOA), together with Wits Libraries, celebrated a significant moment on 17 October as the Santu Mofokeng Foundation donated a rich collection of books to the University. The event marked both the donation and the Foundation’s 10-year journey of preserving and sharing the legacy of renowned South African photographer Santu Mofokeng.
Held at the Wirtenweiler Library Open Learning Area (OLA), the event welcomed second-year Fine Arts students, academics, organised by the Department of Fine Arts, who gathered to honour the Foundation’s continued contribution to Wits’ learning and creative environment. For many students, the donation offered a rare opportunity to engage firsthand with publications that reference and reflect Mofokeng’s extraordinary body of work.
Founded in 2015 by Lunetta Bartz, Santu Mofokeng, and Sabine Vogel the Foundation has long championed the power of visual storytelling and the importance of accessible knowledge. The first donation to Wits Libraries came in 2016 the year after their establishment, and this enduring partnership continues to deepen the University’s ties to South Africa’s artistic heritage.
Speaking at the event, Foundation Director Lunetta Bartz reflected on the importance of revitalising the culture of reading and discovery on campus. She encouraged students to reconnect with the physical experience of books — to “pick them up, feel them, smell them, open them” — simple yet powerful actions that spark curiosity and deepen learning in an increasingly digital world.
Throughout the event, the donated books — many of them photography titles — drew enthusiastic interest from students and staff alike. Once catalogued, the collection will be made available across several Wits Libraries, strengthening resources in photography, art history, and visual culture. Each publication includes references to Mofokeng’s work, making the donation not only a tribute to his legacy but also a vibrant learning tool for emerging artists and researchers.
Wits Libraries and the Wits School of Arts extend heartfelt thanks to the Santu Mofokeng Foundation, the WSOA second-year cohort, and all those who attended. The donation stands as a meaningful contribution to nurturing a thriving reading culture on campus and inspiring the next generation of visual storytellers.