Meet the new Wits Registrar
- Wits University
Tasneem Wadvalla brings 18 years of institutional, legal and governance expertise to one of the University’s important statutory roles.
Tasneem Wadvalla has been appointed as the Registrar of Wits University as from 1 September 2026. She joins the University’s Senior Executive Team and serves as Secretary to the Wits Council, the University’s highest decision-making body.
Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, welcomed Wadvalla to her new role, describing her knowledge of the institution and its governance environment as an important asset.
“Tasneem has an exceptional understanding of Wits, its strategic imperatives, governance structures and academic and administrative systems. Her agility, diplomacy and collaborative and principled approach to leadership will elevate an already strong Registrar’s Division as it continues to serve the University and its community,” says Vilakazi.
Substantial experience
Wadvalla brings a rare combination of institutional knowledge, legal expertise and strategic leadership to the position. Prior to her appointment, she simultaneously served as Chief of Staff in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor and Principal and as Head of Legal Services, roles that required her to engage with students, academics, professional and administrative staff, University leadership and external stakeholders. The Legal Office will continue to report to her.
She previously served as Chief of Staff to former Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Adam Habib and spent 10 years as a Senior Legal Advisor at Wits prior to that.
Over the years, Wadvalla has served on several University committees and has attended meetings of Council, Senate and the University Forum. She has worked closely with successive Senior Executive Teams and members of Council, supporting the University in navigating complex strategic, governance, legal and operational matters. She has also helped steward several flagship University projects.
Wadvalla serves as the University’s shareholder representative on the boards of four Wits subsidiary companies: the Wits Health Consortium (Pty) Ltd, Wits Plus Short Course Company (Pty) Ltd, Wits Incubator (Pty) Ltd (Tshimologong), and Wits Junction (Pty) Ltd. She also serves on several other University committees.
Serving beyond Wits
Her experience extends beyond Wits. She has served on task teams established by Universities South Africa to consider legal and governance matters affecting the higher education sector.
In 2025, her contribution to Wits and higher education was recognised when she received the HERS-SA Women in Leadership in Support Services Award.
Education
She holds BCom and LLB degrees from the former Rand Afrikaans University, now the University of Johannesburg, and is an admitted attorney.
A new chapter
Her appointment marks a new chapter for the Registrar’s Division, while providing continuity through a leader with a deep understanding of Wits, its people and the complex governance environment in which a modern research-intensive university operates.