What Does University of the Witwatersrand Do?

Total employees9769
HeadquartersJohannesburg
Founded1922

The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (commonly known as Wits University or Wits) is a multi-campus South African public research university situated in the northern areas of central Johannesburg. It is one of the leading institutions of higher learning in Africa, renowned for its research output, academic excellence, and commitment to social justice. Wits offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across five faculties: Commerce, Law and Management; Engineering and the Built Environment; Health Sciences; Humanities; and Science. The university is a hub for critical thinking and has produced numerous leaders in various fields globally.

Where Is University of the Witwatersrand's Headquarters?

University of the Witwatersrand officeUniversity of the Witwatersrand officeUniversity of the Witwatersrand officeUniversity of the Witwatersrand office
*Images sourced via web search. Rights belong to original owners

HQ Function

Serves as the primary administrative, academic, and research hub for the university. It houses the central administration, main libraries, majority of faculties, student residences, and sports facilities.

Notable Features:

Iconic Great Hall, Solomon Mahlangu House (formerly Senate House), William Cullen Library, Origins Centre Museum, Wits Art Museum, state-of-the-art research facilities, and beautiful landscaped gardens.

Work Culture:

A dynamic and intellectually stimulating academic environment that fosters research, critical inquiry, debate, and innovation. It's characterized by a diverse community of students and staff from various backgrounds, encouraging collaboration and a robust exchange of ideas.

HQ Significance:

As one of Africa's top-ranked universities, the Wits main campus is a significant landmark for higher education and research on the continent. It has played a crucial role in South Africa's political and social history, including the anti-apartheid struggle.

Values Reflected in HQ: The campus architecture and layout reflect a commitment to academic freedom, excellence, diversity, and public engagement. Green spaces and public art installations contribute to a welcoming and inspiring environment for learning and discovery.

Location:

While primarily based in Johannesburg, Wits University has a significant global presence through extensive international research collaborations, academic partnerships with universities worldwide, student and staff exchange programs, and a vast network of alumni across the globe. The university actively recruits international students and faculty, fostering a diverse and cosmopolitan academic environment. Its research often addresses global challenges, contributing to knowledge creation and solutions that transcend national borders.

Street Address:

1 Jan Smuts Avenue, Braamfontein

City:

Johannesburg

State/Province:

Gauteng

Country:

South Africa

Where Else Does University of the Witwatersrand Operate Around the World?

Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa

Address: 7 York Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa

Serves as a primary center for training healthcare professionals and conducting cutting-edge medical research for South Africa and the Southern African region.

Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa

Address: 2 St David's Place, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa

Focuses on developing business leaders and entrepreneurs, contributing to economic growth and management expertise in South Africa and the broader African continent.

Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa

Address: 27 St Andrews Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193, South Africa

Plays a key role in shaping education policy and practice in South Africa, training educators and conducting research to improve learning outcomes.

Near Hoedspruit, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Address: Wits Rural Facility, Acornhoek, Bushbuckridge, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Provides a platform for understanding and addressing rural challenges, promoting community development, and offering students unique experiential learning opportunities in a rural context.

Buying Intent Signals for University of the Witwatersrand

Highperformr Signals uncover buying intent and give you clear insights to target the right accounts at the right time — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams close more deals, faster.

Notable news
Hiring actively
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
*Example signal, not calculated in real time

Who's Leading University of the Witwatersrand? Meet the Executive Team

As of April 2025, University of the Witwatersrand' leadership includes:

Professor Zeblon Vilakazi - Vice-Chancellor and Principal
Professor Ruksana Osman - Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic
Professor Lynn Morris - Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation
Ms. Maureen Manyama - Chief Financial Officer
Dr. David Hornsby - Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: People Development and Culture
Professor Ian Jandrell - Dean: Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment
Professor Imraan Valodia - Dean: Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management
Professor Shabir Madhi - Dean: Faculty of Health Sciences
Professor Garth Stevens - Dean: Faculty of Humanities
Professor Nithaya Chetty - Dean: Faculty of Science

Who's Investing in University of the Witwatersrand?

University of the Witwatersrand has been backed by several prominent investors over the years, including:

South African Government (Department of Higher Education and Training)
National Research Foundation (NRF)
Medical Research Council (MRC) of South Africa
Wits Foundation
Corporate Donors and Partnerships
Alumni Contributions
International Foundations and Research Granting Agencies (e.g., Wellcome Trust, NIH, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation)
Endowments and Bequests

What Leadership Changes Has University of the Witwatersrand Seen Recently?

Hire1
Exits0

Wits University maintains a relatively stable senior executive team. Significant appointments, such as Deans or Deputy Vice-Chancellors, are major events. In the past year, notable Dean re-appointments and some acting DVC roles have occurred. Major changes at the VC/Principal level are infrequent.

New Appointments:

Professor Imraan Valodia, Professor Imraan Valodia was re-appointed as Dean of the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management for a second five-year term, effective January 2024, continuing his leadership in this key faculty.

What Technology (Tech Stack) Is Used byUniversity of the Witwatersrand?

Discover the tools University of the Witwatersrand uses. Highperformr reveals the technologies powering your target accounts — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams prioritize smarter and close faster.

University of the Witwatersrand Email Formats and Examples

The University of the Witwatersrand primarily uses the format firstname.lastname@wits.ac.za for its staff and faculty members. Student email addresses typically follow the pattern studentnumber@students.wits.ac.za. Variations may exist for specific departments or roles.

firstname.lastname@wits.ac.za

Format

john.doe@wits.ac.za

Example

90%

Success rate

What's the Latest News About University of the Witwatersrand?

Wits University News2024-05-21

Wits astrocyte research breaks new ground in understanding Alzheimer’s disease

Wits University researchers have published groundbreaking findings on the role of astrocytes, a type of brain cell, in Alzheimer's disease. Their study, published in 'Nature Communications', suggests that targeting these cells could offer new therapeutic strategies for the condition....more

Wits University News2024-05-07

Safeguarding Democracy: The Vital Role of Electoral Justice in Africa

Wits University's School of Law hosted a significant dialogue on electoral justice in Africa, emphasizing its importance in upholding democratic processes, ensuring free and fair elections, and maintaining political stability across the continent. The event brought together legal experts, academics, and civil society representatives....more

Wits University News2024-04-29

World’s oldest human burial site unearthed in Amaqwathikeni Cave by Wits-led team

A Wits University-led team of international researchers announced the discovery of the world's oldest human burial site at Amaqwathikeni Cave in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The findings push back the date for deliberate human burials by tens of thousands of years, offering new insights into early human cognitive and social behaviour....more

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