Celebrating our 2026 retirees
- Wits University
A joyous occasion celebrating years of dedication, lasting friendships and contributions that have become part of the Wits story.
Wits hosted a special ceremony to honour 75 members of the University community who will retire in December 2026, recognising years of service and contributions to the University's position as a top institution in Africa.
Held at Savernake, a historic heritage property nestled along the leafy Parktown Ridge and renowned for its beautiful gardens and architecture, the occasion was a fitting send-off. The venue, which has welcomed many distinguished Wits guests over the years, provided a picturesque setting for the celebration.
Wits Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, congratulated the retirees on reaching this milestone and praised them for their commitment to serving a higher purpose.
“I’m grateful to you for supporting an institution that is important to the country, the continent and its prospects. You have all laid a brick in a wall of knowledge,” said Vilakazi, addressing a diverse group of retirees comprising academics and professional and administrative staff.
He encouraged them to embrace their next chapter with pride, knowing that they had invested meaningfully in Wits and that the University would always be their home.
41 years of service
Among those retiring is Mr Aaron Maduna, a long-serving staff member who joined Wits in 1985 as a Traffic Controller.
Over the past four decades, he has witnessed significant changes at Wits, particularly on the Health Sciences campus, where he spent much of his career.
His journey reflects a commitment to personal growth, adaptability and a willingness to embrace new opportunities. With the support and encouragement of his supervisors, he progressed from Traffic Controller to Supervisor of Traffic Officers before transitioning into a technical role.
His experience in stock control and working with air-conditioning equipment in previous jobs proved valuable when he moved into a technician position in 1989.
He retires as a technician in the Clinical Skills Unit, under the Unit for Undergraduate Medical Education (UUME). In recognition of his outstanding contribution, he received the Faculty of Health Sciences' Exceptional Service Medal in 2023.
Maduna leaves Wits with a deep sense of satisfaction, knowing that he gave his best in every role he occupied.
“As a traffic controller I built good relations with both staff and students and did my best to accommodate parking demands in a small campus. In printing, I innovated and reduced the size of booklets used by anaesthesiologist so that it could fit into their breast pocket making it easy to use in clinical settings. I’ve had great joy in working with students at UUME helping them with tutorials in the lab and teaching them about the proper handling of equipment that costs millions.”
Beyond his professional achievements, Maduna takes particular pride in the life he has been able to build through his years of employment at Wits.
“I married and was able to pay for my wife’s tuition at this University where she trained as an occupational therapist. We built a comfortable life for our two children and nothing gives me greater satisfaction than that.”
Reflecting on more than four decades of service, he sums up his relationship with the University in a few heartfelt words:
“Wits gave and I also gave my all.”