The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), located in Johannesburg, South Africa, is one of the country’s top research universities, renowned for its academic excellence and influence in shaping South Africa's history. Established in 1922, Wits originated from the South African School of Mines, founded in 1896 in Kimberley. The institution relocated to Johannesburg in 1904, eventually evolving into the University of the Witwatersrand. It is named after the Witwatersrand, the ridge where Johannesburg was built, and is historically linked to the city’s mining industry.
Wits played a crucial role in South Africa’s fight against apartheid, with many of its students and staff participating in the anti-apartheid movement. Today, it is known for its academic rigor, cutting-edge research, and contribution to various fields, including health sciences, law, engineering, social sciences, and the arts. The university has five campuses and offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across numerous faculties.
5 Interesting facts about the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in Johannesburg:
1. Mining Origins: Wits was founded in 1922, but its roots trace back to the South African School of Mines in Kimberley in 1896. It later relocated to Johannesburg, a key mining hub, which influenced its initial focus on mining and engineering.
2. Pioneering Medical Research: Wits is renowned for its contributions to medical science. In 1967, Wits alumnus Dr. Christiaan Barnard performed the world's first human heart transplant. The university continues to be a leader in medical and health sciences research.
3. Anti-Apartheid Activism: Wits was a hotbed of political activism during the apartheid era. It was one of the few universities that openly defied the apartheid government’s segregation policies, and its students and staff played significant roles in the anti-apartheid struggle.
Fossil Finds: Wits is world-renowned for its contributions to paleontology. The university’s Evolutionary Studies Institute has been involved in groundbreaking discoveries of ancient hominids, including the famous Australopithecus sediba and Homo naledi fossils, found at the Cradle of Humankind.
5. 4. Global Influence: Wits is consistently ranked among the top universities in Africa and the world, attracting a diverse student population and producing influential alumni, including political leaders like Nelson Mandela, who studied law at Wits.
Contact details for University of the Witwatersrand (Wits):
Phone Number: +27 (0)11 717 1000
Email: see website
Website: https://www.wits.ac.za
Address: 1 Jan Smuts Avenue, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2000, South Africa
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