DO YOU BELIEVE IN YOUR FUTURE SELF? It’s an interesting exercise to imagine what our past selves would think about where we are today and what we have achieved. During the Covid Lockdown, the Wits Medical Class of 1960 started to think about their journeys, which you can read about below. And speaking of both the past and the future, the Professor Barry Dwolatzky Memorial Lecture – which the Fund is happy to support – will be about AI in Africa. Hope you’ll join us.

“From Wits to the World” – Class of 1960 Publish Tribute to Wits Med School

“From Wits to the World” an eBook: this remarkable book tells the story of the Wits Medical Graduates of 1960, their schools, life at medical school, the hospitals in which they trained and those who trained them.

It follows their careers in South Africa and across the world, innovating and motivating, carrying with them the knowledge and work ethic that they gained from their memorable teachers at Wits. It also illustrates their interests and activities beyond medicine.

Read the book here, and watch the book launch recording here.

Wits PhDs Graduation: Pinnacle of Academic Journey

n a wonderful mix of faculties and schools, 127 people were awarded their PhDs at a special graduation ceremony on July 14th.

Congratulating them, the Chancellor of Wits, Dr Judith Dlamini, commended them on their dedication, their hard work, and on attaining the pinnacle of their academic journeys. She reminded them that much of their success was due to their families, their academic supervisors, and faculty.

Watch the full graduation ceremony (above), and click on the pictures (below) to hear from some of the graduates themselves.

AI IN AFRICA: SIR JOHN LAZAR TO GIVE PROF. BARRY MEMORIAL LECTURE

AI in Africa: Innovation under Constraints Presented by Sir John Lazar

John Lazar is a technology leader, investor, and philanthropist with a deep commitment to innovation in Africa and globally.
He is Co-founder and General Partner at Enza Capital, a Nairobi-based firm backing tech-driven solutions across the continent, with investments in over 35 African companies. Since 2020, John has chaired the Raspberry Pi Foundation, which aims to empower young people through computing and AI.

In 2024 he became President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, following years of leadership within the Academy and his long-standing support for African engineering innovators through the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation.

A Rhodes Scholar, he holds degrees from Oxford University (M.Sc in Computation and D.Phil in History) and Wits University (BSc Hons in Computer Science). He was awarded a CBE in 2016 and a Knighthood in 2025 for services to engineering and technology.

There will be a live stream of the lecture HERE on August 11^th at 11am ET/ 8am PT.

As we feel gratitude for the blessings in our lives, one way to pay it forward is through making an impact in a person’s life that will uplift them, and their familes, for generations to come.
DONATE HERE

WITS STUDENT PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Congratulations to the overall winners of Wits Photography Competition:
The photos beautifully captured the essence, emotion, and everyday brilliance of life at Wits.
1st Prize Overall: Ndumo Ntuli – “I am Asanga, all the way from the Xhosa Kingdom”
2nd Prize Overall: Matthew Webb – “Reflections in the rain”
3rd Prize Overall: Raksha Pai – “Time may strip my leaves but not my strength”

WATCH | Affordable power brick innovation energises underserved communities

A pioneering solar power solution co-developed with Wits University is transforming access to energy in underserved communities, one “Power Brick” at a time. Peco Power, launched through a collaboration between Wits and impact investment partner Mbono, offers a modular, affordable energy system designed to grow with a household’s needs. The innovation was developed with support from Wits Enterprise, which helped shape the commercialization strategy that led to Peco Power’s spin-out as an independent company. Wits remains a foundational stakeholder in the venture.

Wits Virtual Tour

See Wits University in Action! Want a closer look at life on campus? For a Virtual Tour of Your Old Haunts, Click here.