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Wits University

University of the Witwatersrand
Johannesburg
Seal of the University of the Witwatersrand
Former names
South African School of Mines (1896–1904), Transvaal Technical Institute (1904–1906), Transvaal University College (1906–1910), South African School of Mines and Technology (1910–1920), University College, Johannesburg (1920–1922)
Motto Scientia et Labore (Latin)
Motto in English
Knowledge and work
Type Public university
Established 1922
Affiliation AAU, ACU, FOTIM, HESA, IAU
Chancellor Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke
Vice-Chancellor Professor Adam Habib
Chairman of Council Dr. Randall Carolissen
Academic staff
4,712
Administrative staff
6,585
Students 33,711
Undergraduates 21,890
Postgraduates 11,821
1,808
Location Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
26°11′27″S 28°1′49″E / 26.19083°S 28.03028°E / -26.19083; 28.03028Coordinates: 26°11′27″S 28°1′49″E / 26.19083°S 28.03028°E / -26.19083; 28.03028
Campus 2 urban and 3 suburban campuses
Colours Blue and gold          
Nickname Wits
Mascot Kudos Kudu
Website www.wits.ac.za

The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, is a multi-campus South African public research university situated in the northern areas of central Johannesburg. It is more commonly known as Wits University. The university has its roots in the mining industry, as do Johannesburg and the Witwatersrand in general. Founded in 1896 as the South African School of Mines in Kimberley, it is the third oldest South African university in continuous operation, after the University of Cape Town (founded in 1829), and Stellenbosch University (founded in 1866).

In 1959, the Extension of University Education Act forced restricted registrations of black students for most of the apartheid era; despite this, several notable black leaders graduated from the university. It was desegregated once again prior to the abolition of apartheid in 1990. Several of apartheid's most provocative critics, of either European or African descent, were one-time students and graduates of the university.

The university has an enrolment of 33,711 students as of 2015, of which approximately 18 percent live on campus in the university's 22 residences. 65 percent of the university's total enrolment is for undergraduate study, with the remaining 35 percent being postgraduate.

The university was founded in Kimberley in 1896 as the South African School of Mines. Eight years later, in 1904, the school was moved to Johannesburg and renamed the Transvaal Technical Institute. The school's name changed yet again in 1906 to Transvaal University College. In 1908, a new campus of the Transvaal University College was established in Pretoria. The Johannesburg and Pretoria campuses separated on 17 May 1910, each becoming a separate institution. The Johannesburg campus was reincorporated as the South African School of Mines and Technology, while the Pretoria campus remained the Transvaal University College until 1930 when it became the University of Pretoria. In 1920, the school was renamed the University College, Johannesburg.


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