Homecoming weekend to celebrate 100 years
Wits University welcomed students, staff, alumni and friends back to campus for a homecoming weekend in September to celebrate its 100th birthday.
The centennial celebrations kicked off with a mass parade through the streets of Braamfontein, where approximately 9,000 staff members and students gathered in colourful fashion to open the weekend.
Witsies painted Braamfontein blue and gold, before settling on the Wits Library lawns for a picnic and a multimedia light show that painted the iconic Great Hall in a dramatic and innovative collaboration of a light show, dancing and improvised movement, produced and directed by artist Marcus Neustetter.
“For 100 years the institution and its staff, students, and alumni have played an integral role in the development of the university, the City of Johannesburg, and our country, and have made a global impact ‘for good’,” said Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, vice-chancellor and principal of Wits University, at the opening of the parade.
All the Wits facilities, including the Origins Museum, Planetarium and Wits Art Museum were open to the public, hosting an assortment of exhibitions, film screenings and theatre performances such as the annual Yebo Gogga festival and the last-ever shows of the old Zeiss Star Projector in the Planetarium.
Giving voice to Wits’ commitment to freedom of speech and social activism, the weekend’s festivities climaxed with the multigenerational star-studded Free People’s concert, with a special tribute performance to alumnus Johnny Clegg, by his son, Jesse Clegg, as well as other former Witsies, such as Claire Johnston from Mango Groove and a special guest appearance by Vusi Mahlasela.
The younger generation of Witsies, meanwhile, got a chance to dance the night away with performances by hip-hop great, Big Zulu, and Samthing Soweto.
The weekend was not just about festivities, however, as Witsies of generations past and present were honoured by the unveiling of Wits’ Scholarship boards, and alumni and SRC reunions.
Former Wits chancellor and deputy chief justice Dikgang Moseneke hosted alumni at the Wits Founders’ tea, an annual highlight on the calendar.
“I would like to congratulate all who has had something to do with Wits’ longevity and its continued social and economic vibrancy. This is a special place. It is hallowed in many ways,” said Moseneke.
“We hope for another centenary celebration for this university.”
He called for Wits to produce many more much needed special leaders.
“This university has produced them in the past, and should be able to produce them in the future,” he concluded.