Njabulo Maphumulo on ‘culture’ at Wits residences
- Wits University
Maphumulo shares how Wits residences shape belonging, learning and student success.
Maphumulo joined Wits in 2025 as the Deputy Director of Campus Housing and Res Life bringing more than a decade in student development. Wits has 15 residences, and these spaces play an important role in shaping the student experience and the values that they carry as Wits graduates. In this Q&A, we learn about Maphumulo and the added value that comes with living at a Wits residence.
You have described student development as a calling rather than simply a job. What drew you to this field, and what continues to motivate you?
I joined the Student Affairs field while I was still serving as a student leader at the University the Western Cape; little did I know that it would develop into a real calling and passion. As a student, I experienced several challenges ranging from food insecurity to struggling academically, which led to mental health issues without realising it, and I was privileged to be assisted by those who were in the right positions at that time. Ever since, I have also wanted to do the same for students who may be coming from poor backgrounds, struggling and needing help to realise their dreams. As a result, I found it necessary to do studies that would help me to have an impact in the space. Throughout my career spanning about 15 years, I participated in numerous platforms and presented on issues affecting students within the sector outside of the classroom, including serving on the Board of the Association of Colleges and Universities Housing Officers International for 9 years. Furthermore, co-founded and convened the Green Campuses Conference that turned 13 years old in 2026, aimed at promoting environmental education and campus sustainability within the residences.
I am finalising a PhD in Public Administration focusing on Public Policy, Higher Education, Student Development, Student Success, Teaching and Learning at the University of the Western Cape. Other qualifications include a Master of Public Administration (cum laude) focusing on the NSFAS centralised system and its impact on student success, an Honours degree in Public Administration, an Advanced Diploma in Public Administration, and a Higher Certificate in Economic Development (cum laude), all from my alma mater. Finally, I hold various certificates amongst is the course by HELM/USAF through UFS Business School called Student Affairs and Student Success. I'm a lifelong learner and believe in knowledge enhances the services we give to our students.
Many only see residences as places where students live, what is the broader role of the Campus Housing and Residence Life in a university?
Wits Residences have evolved from being spaces where students only sleep, eat, and study into living and learning communities where students can thrive and excel in their academic journeys. The broader role of Campus Housing and Residence Life is to support the institution's academic mission and contribute to holistic student success. The department's role goes beyond just offering a place to sleep to create a conducive and enabling environment for students to excel.
A great deal of university learning happens outside the lecture hall. What are some of the most important things students learn through residence life and why are these important?
Learning continues outside of the classroom into residential spaces. Learning outside the classroom includes activities that are planned and hosted by the residences and are authentic, hands-on, interactive and build on classroom learning. These various opportunities continue beyond the classroom include, but are not limited to, leadership development, recreational, arts and culture activities, mentoring and coaching. Environmental and sustainability advocacy. Learning outside of the classroom assists and prepares students with real-life experience as they get an opportunity to live and learn with diverse individuals and work on building micro communities.
What does a vibrant residence culture look like to you, and why does it matter to the overall student experience?
Wits Residence culture is remarkable and multifaceted, and like any other university, Wits University also experiences diverse and often many institutional cultures which usually translate into the practices in our spaces. Thus, it was important that the type of interventions and initiatives that are created take into consideration the rich values, culture and diversity of our residence communities. Furthermore, our department is committed to co-developing and co-owning initiatives that are aimed at community building, creating vibrancy and social cohesion. These initiatives include, but are not limited to, Witsies Got Talent – a platform for showcasing pure talent and skills; Empower Her Initiative – a young women empowerment initiative that connects with professional mentors and coaches; and Witsies Choir Games –a unique artistic idea in comparison to traditional meritorious choir competitions that only invite elite choirs to take part; instead, these games are open to all non-professional choirs. Choirs from residences, including the private student accommodation. The initiative seeks to create vibrancy and unified residence communities.
This September we are looking forward to the Witsies Choirs Games Grand Finale, which will also integrate a Heritage Day Festival.
What have students taught you over the years?
Working for residences in a higher education setting is both exciting and challenging, given that, as a staff member, you go beyond just a call of duty and assist students in adjusting. Often, the residences are like home away from home, meaning we often deal with everything that students may face outside of the classroom. Working with students for over 15 years has taught me that resilience is everything while at university, because over the course of your qualification you may face many challenges, but it is about how you overcome them and still graduate. Secondly, working with students has taught me that every person’s journey is different and it must be treated as such. Some students come from the most difficult upbringings, engulfed by so many hindrances, and university residence spaces are often where they thrive and discover themselves. If students are given resources, they can go beyond their difficulties.
Universities have traditions that contribute to identity and belonging, but some traditions may no longer serve today's students. How do you preserve the positive aspects of residence culture while allowing it to evolve?
The ‘institutional-residence culture’ remains the key target for the transformation quest in all its respects and dimensions. Advocating for acceptable practices challenges us to develop a joined-up set of responses pursued in the community concertedly via diverse, integrated and coordinated processes in and across, hence, multi-faceted programmes and activities.
Institutional - residence culture is elusive and complex, and like any other university, Wits University also experiences complex and often many institutional cultures which usually translate to the practices in our spaces. Thus, to ensure that we preserve and establish positive aspects of residence culture requires our reform approach to be fully attentive, ally-building, norms-generating, ethics and virtues sharing, co-developing, and co-owning. We must build intersubjective residence communities and shared conversations.
Students arrive at university from very different social, cultural and economic backgrounds. How do residences create a genuine sense of belonging while celebrating those differences?
Students who arrive at the University often view the residence as their first home away from home, a community and one of the most influential environments in their higher education journeys. Thus, creating a genuine sense of belonging becomes critical for Campus Housing and Residence Life. Thus, creating different opportunities for students to thrive is central to the department; these opportunities include Living & Learning Communities, Holistic Student Health & Wellness Programmes, Res Culture & Social Cohesion Activities, Leadership Development Opportunities, and Community, Civil and Environmental Engagement.
Finally, what is something about Njabulo outside of work that Witsies might be surprised to learn?
I am a fanatic of the creative arts and culture. I enjoy intensive outdoor and adrenaline-rush activities. I am a self-published author of the book called Grandmother’s Heart, published in 2021 with another one to be published in January 2027.