UNDERGRADUATE

STUDENT GUIDE
 DID YOU KNOW?
WITS UNIVERSITY HAS
PRODUCED MORE THAN
200 000 GRADUATES SINCE ITS
INCEPTION IN 1922.

Illustrious alumni include:

H.E Dr Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela | Patrice Motsepe
Nadine Gordimer | Thuli Madonsela | Johnny Clegg
Sibongile B Khumalo | Advocate Dali Mpofu
Advocate George Bizos

Prominent young alumni include:

Dr Tiisetso Lephoto | Dr Ridwan Mia
Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi | Thuso Mbedu | Nat Ramabulana
WELCOME
A STUDENT TODAY,
A WITSIE FOR LIFE!

Welcome to Wits, the start of an exhilarating

journey of knowledge and discovery as you work
towards obtaining a qualification that will prepare
you for your future career. This is also the start of a
lifelong relationship with Wits and you will forever
be known as a Witsie! You have earned this title so
be proud of your new identity.

WITS IS YOURS!

Keep this guide handy! It will help you navigate

your way around the University; unlock adventures,
fun experiences, new skills and timely support
throughout the year.

Let the journey begin!

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 1
 OFFICE OF THE VICE-CHANCELLOR

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the University of

the Witwatersrand.
Congratulations on joining one of the world’s most
renowned institutions, where academic excellence
and innovation come together to shape the
leaders of tomorrow. Your acceptance into Wits is a
testament to your talent, dedication, and ambition.
Here, you are not only part of a University; you are
part of a globally recognised brand of excellence
that stands at the forefront of transformative
education.
As a Wits student, you will gain a world-class
education grounded in local realities, preparing you
to excel as a global citizen. From rigorous academic
training to unparalleled opportunities for research,
leadership, and engagement, your journey at Wits
will equip you with the critical thinking, practical
skills, and ethical grounding to make a meaningful impact on the world. Whether
you are contributing to communities locally or leading initiatives on a global
stage, your time at Wits will position you for success in all spheres.
To help you get started, we have prepared this guidebook as a comprehensive
resource for navigating your new life at Wits. From academic support services
to financial advice, this guidebook is designed to help you make the most of
your time here. Whether you need direction on managing coursework or tips for
campus life, this is your go-to resource.
Thank you for choosing Wits as the next step in your academic and professional
development. We look forward to supporting your journey toward success,
impact, and lifelong learning.

Vice-Chancellor and Principal

Professor Zeblon Vilakazi FRS

2 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
 OFFICE OF THE DEAN OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

Congratulations on being admitted to the University

of the Witwatersrand – often called Wits University
– a leading African university. You are now a part
of the Wits community and we wish to ensure that
your journey is a seamless one, filled with growth,
laughter and most importantly, academic success.

This new stage in your life may be a daunting and

exciting one, as you are introduced to a new social,
cultural and academic environment. During this
time of adjustment and transition, the University
is here to ensure that you feel comfortable and
supported throughout your academic journey.
This guide will help you to achieve that. There
are a variety of services available to you that will
ensure your time at Wits is one in which you grow
academically, personally and professionally. The
First Year Experience (FYE) in particular, focuses on
promoting your success as a first year student, with a variety of university-
wide activities and programmes that are aimed at improving your academic
achievement. You are encouraged to participate in this programme.

The Division of Student Affairs, in collaboration with other departments, particularly

provides services that ensure that your wellbeing is cared for, especially in areas
concerning your health, emotional and personal welfare, as well as providing
development and leadership opportunities. Please make use of these services
and participate in the various offerings, to assist you in unlocking your potential
and realising your dreams.

Your time at Wits may be the best years you experience; however you are urged
to do so responsibly.

As future Wits graduates, we know that you will be equipped to be global citizens
that will make a difference in your respective societies.

Ngikufisela okuhle ngezifundo zakho | Ke go lakaletsa mahlohonolo dithutong

tsa hao

All the best with your studies!

Dean of Student Affairs

Mr Jerome September

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 3
 HUMILIATING INITIATION PRACTICES
PROHIBITED AT WITS

First year students will participate in a 2 weeks long Gateway to Success

Programme (Orientation) programme to help ease the transition into university.
The programme includes a range of events to help students adjust to their
academic and social environment. These events and activities are informative
and entertaining and should not impair one’s dignity.

Wits University seeks to build an inclusive environment free of discrimination

based on gender, race, religion and sexual orientation.

Like other South African public higher education institutions, Wits is strongly
opposed to the extreme nature of some initiation practices that go beyond
preparing students to settle into a new environment. We therefore condemn any
form of initiation practice that is humiliating, intimidating or discriminatory.

The University condemns acts of harassment (sexual or otherwise) including the

bullying, belittling, embarrassing, frightening or humiliation of other persons, and
all other forms of demeaning behaviour, including shouting or screaming at new
students. Under no circumstances should students be subjected to potentially
dangerous activities like being forced to consume alcohol or other substances.

The University will take swift action against any individual or groups found not
to be honouring the spirit of respect that should be inherent in all orientation
programmes and activities.

Any student who feels victimised, harassed or abused during and beyond the
orientation period, is urged to report the matter to any member of staff or directly
to me (in confidence if required) via [email protected] or via my
office on the ground floor of Solomon Mahlangu House, Braamfontein Campus
East.

Jerome September
Dean of Student Affairs

#WitsAgainstGBV

4 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
 #WitsAgainstGBV

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 5
 “IT ALWAYS SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE
UNTIL IT’S DONE.”
H.E. Dr Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela

6 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
 WELCOME TO UNIVERSITY LIFE
Now that you are officially a student of the University of the Witwatersrand, you
have now moved into a space that fosters academic growth and development,
and academic excellence.

University life provides a platform for you to grow as an individual. You now have
to learn the art of independence in ensuring you successfully complete this new
journey in the quest to attaining your degree.

Now that you are in your new space, the onus is on you!!! You are responsible
for ensuring that you achieve academic success and all-round wellbeing. The
University has various support services to assist you both academically and
outside of the academic environment, in ensuring that you excel.
You can sign up for various clubs and societies where you can make friends and
meaningful connections that will last a lifetime.

REMEMBER to utilise all support services whenever you need to. The services are
here to assist you and provide you with holistic development opportunities for
you to successfully attain your full University life. So, get ready to experience the
time of your life at Wits! Best of luck!!

SIYAKWAMUKELA KWIMPILO YASE NYUVESI

Njengoba manje ungumfundi weYunivesithi yaseWitwatersrand, manje
usuhambele endaweni ekhuthaza ukukhula kwezemfundo nokuthuthukiswa
kanye nokuzikhandla kwezemfundo.

Impilo yase yunivesithi ikunika amthuba okukhula nokuzi nelisa njengo muntu.
Kulesikhala esisha ozithola kuso, uzokhula ube ngokwakho futhi. Manje kufanele
ufunde ubuciko bokuzimela nokuzethemba ekuqinisekiseni ukuthi ugcwalise
ngempumelelo lolo hambo olusha ekufuneni kokuthola idijithi yakho.

Manje ukuthi usesikhathini sakho esisha, impumelelo isezandleni zakho!!!

Unomthwalo wemfanelo ekuqinisekiseni ukuthi ufeze impumelelo yezemfundo
kanye nokuphila konke. IYunivesithi inezinsizakalo ezihlukahlukene zokusekela
ezithinta ekusizeni kokubili kwezemfundo nangaphandle kwemvelo yezemfundo
ekuqinisekiseni ukuthi ukhululekile kule ndawo.

Ungabhalisela amaqembu ahlukahlukene kanye nemiphakathi ukusiza

ekubandakanyekeni emisebenzini eyengeziwe yezemfundo lapho ungenza
khona ubungani nokuxhumeka okungakugcina impilo yakho.

Khumbula, sebenzisa zonke izinsizakalo zokusekela noma nini lapho udinga

khona. Lezi zikhona ukukusiza futhi zikunikeze amathuba okuthuthukiswa
okuphelele ukuze ushintshe ngempumelelo endaweni yakho entsha.

Ngakho, lungela ukuzwa isikhathi sokuphila kwakho eWits University! Sikufisela

inhlanhla!

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 7
 O AMOLESEHILE BOPHELONG BA UNIVERSITY
Kaha hona joale o seithuti sa Univesithi ea Witwatersrand, joale o se o falletse
sebakeng se tsoelang pele ho hōla ha thuto le ntlafatso le bokhabane ba thuto.
Ka ntle ho sebaka sena se secha se fumanoeng, o tla hōla o be motho ka mong
le ho ba teng. Hona joale o tlameha ho ithuta tsebo ea boipuso le boitšepo ho
tiisa hore o atlehe ho tlatsa leeto lena le lecha ha o batla ho fumana tekanyo
ea hau.

Hona joale kaha o sebakeng sa hau se secha, onus e holim’a hao !!! O na
le boikarabello ba ho etsa hore o fihlele katleho ea thuto le bophelo bohle.
Univesithing e na le litšebeletso tse fapaneng tsa ts’ehetso tse kenyelletsang ho
o thusa ka bobeli thutong le ka ntle ho tikoloho ea thuto ho netefatsa hore o
ipabole sebakeng sena.

O ka ngolisa lihlopha tse fapaneng lihlopha le mekhatlo ho thusa ho o kenya

mesebetsing e mengata eo o ka e etsang metsoalle le likamano tse ka o
phelisang bophelong.

Hopola, sebelisa lits’ebeletso tsohle tsa tšehetso neng kapa neng ha o hloka.
Tsena li le teng ho o thusa le ho o fa menyetla e kholo ea tsoelo-pele ea hore o
atlehe ho kena sebakeng sa hau se secha
Kahoo, ikemisetse ho fumana nako ea bophelo ba hau univesithing ea Wits!
Molemo oa mahlohonolo ‘me o hlōle bohale!

8 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
 GET INVOLVED
You have now crested the first big hill in your university adventure. At your feet,
new trails branch off into uncharted territories and possibilities. In every direction
you step in, a new opportunity to find yourself avails itself.

It is now time to follow your curiosity…

Whatever you are passionate and curious about, Wits offers a multitude of in-
house campus services, programmes, clubs and societies to help you explore
and navigate your way around your new environment.

University life presents a world of opportunities and experiences which you can
dive into – so find your path and get involved!

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 9
 JOBURG WAYZE
NAVIGATING YOUR WAY AROUND JOHANNESBURG
Welcome to Johannesburg, also known as “Jozi”, “Jo’burg”, “EGoli” or
affectionally known as the “City of Gold”. As the largest city in South Africa and
the heart of the commercial hub of the country, Joburg presents a unique and
fast-paced approach in its inhabitants’ everyday life. The City was established in
the late 1890s due to the gold rush which resulted in the influx of migrant workers.

SIGHT-SEEING AND PLACES OF INTEREST

Constitution Hill Rosebank

Gold Reef City

Braamfontein
Theme Park

Maboneng Modderfontein Fourways

Downtown Precinct Farmers Market

Orlando
Vilakazi Street
Cooling Towers

Sandton City Apartheid Museum

AND MANY MORE!

10 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
 PUBLIC TRANSPORT
For those using the public transport service system, there are various transport
options you can use to get around.

These include:

Taxi: The two central taxi ranks in Johannesburg include Bree Street Taxi Rank
and Noord Street Taxi Rank. A taxi hub in Soweto can be found at Bara Taxi Rank,
situated next to the Chris Hani Baragwanith Hospital.

Bus: There are various bus services one can utilise. These include the Rea Vaya
bus service, Metro Bus, PUTCO and Gau Bus services. Long distance buses can
be accessed at Johannesburg Park Station.

Train: One can use the more traditional Metrorail or the Gautrain to get around.

Aeroplane: Flying in and out of Johannesburg can be done at the two main
airports which serve the Johannesburg area. These are OR Tambo International
Airport and Lanseria International Airport.

Taxify and Uber: Simply download the apps on the Google Play Store for Android
users, or download from the iStore for Apple users.

BEWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS

For more information, log on to the following sites:

Buses
Rea Vaya: www.reavaya.org.za
PUTCO: www.putco.co.za
Metrobus: www.mbus.co.za

Trains
Metrorail: www.metrorail.co.za
Gautrain (incl. buses): www.gautrain.co.za

Johannesburg
Johannesburg Sightseeing: www.joburg.co.za
City of Johannesburg: www.joburg.org.za

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 11
 NATIONAL STUDENT FINANCIAL AID
SCHEME (NSFAS)
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) provides financial aid to
eligible students on campus. You qualify to apply for a bursary if:

• You are a South African citizen

• Your combined annual household income does not exceed R350 000 per
annum
• You are a SASSA grant recipient

What does the bursary cover?

Registration fees, tuition fees, prescribed learning materials (to the maximum
set by NSFAS), accommodation allowances (this is capped for Wits Residences
and external accredited accommodation), learning material allowances, Living
allowances, and transport allowances (if not staying in university or external
accredited accommodation).

Do you have to work hard?

Yes, to maintain the NSFAS funding you must meet the academic requirements
as set by the NSFAS policy guidelines.

What documents do I need to apply for NSFAS?

Check the NSFAS website www.nsfas.org.za for detailed and up to date

information.

Can students with disabilities apply for funding?

Yes, students with disabilities are encouraged to apply for financial assistance.
Check the NSFAS website www.nsfas.org.za for detailed and up to date
information.

The NSFAS loan scheme is open to all South African citizens and permanent
residents with a combined household income of more than R350 000-R600 000
per annum before deductions. Visit the NSFAS website www.nsfas.org.za for
detailed criteria on eligibility.

The Loan funding covers the cost of the following:

Transport or Accommodation and Learning Materials

Does NSFAS pay registration costs for first-year and returning students?

Yes. Registration costs are usually the first payment towards your tuition costs, and
if you have been confirmed for funding by NSFAS.

12 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
What happens if you are declined for a NSFAS bursary?

If an applicant is not satisfied with the results of their application, they can appeal
this decision by filling in the appeal form available on the NSFAS website, which
will then be reviewed by the appeals committee.

For general enquiries about NSFAS, please visit the NSFAS office on the Ground
Floor of Solomon Mahlangu Building (at Wits University) or visit the NSFAS
website at www.nsfas.org.za/content

The Financial Aid and Scholarships Office and the Fees Office is using a query
logging system called ISM.

This is to improve on turnaround times and to track queries efficiently.

All students need to log their queries on ISM using the following link:

https://witshelp-ism.saasiteu.com

Please refer to this document on how to log a ticket.

The FEES and FASO offices will no longer respond to student queries via email.

Please log one ticket only and keep your reference number for any follow ups.

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 13
 HOW TO
1
SIGN-IN
to Wits Help Self

LOG A NEW
Service by clicking
on the link below

witshelp-ism.saasi-
teu.com

TICKET
ENTER
Student Number and
password to login

2 3
SELECT WITSHELP
ROLE SELF-
SERVICE
HOME
CLICK ON PAGE
Self service MOBILE
CLICK ON
Log a new ticket

NEW 4 REVIEW
5
TICKET
ON This page you,
Select the Department can Edit your ticket
Add IN A Summary or submit
Add IN A description
The user can add
attachment

CLICK ON
Review & Submit

6 7
NEW VIEW MY
TICKET ITEMS
The new ticket has The student will be
been created with able to view all the
the service request ticket he/she logged
number #25841 to check the status
of the ticket.

14 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
HOW TO LOG A NEW TICKET
STEP 1:

SIGN-IN to Wits Help Self Service by clicking on the link witshelp-

ism.saasi-teu.com

ENTER Student Number and password to login

STEP 2:

SELECT ROLE
CLICK ON Self service MOBILE

STEP 3:

WITSHELP SELF-SERVICE HOME PAGE CLICK ON Log A New Ticket

STEP 4:

NEW TICKET
Select the Department
Add IN A Summary
Add IN A description
The user can add attachment
CLICK ON Review & Submit

STEP 5:

REVIEW
On this page you, can Edit your ticket or submit

STEP 6:

NEW TICKET
The new ticket has been created with the service request number #25841
STEP 7:

VIEW MY ITEMS
The student will be able to view all the ticket he/she logged to check the
status of the ticket .

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 15
 THE DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

The Division of Student Affairs offers various student support services and co-
curricular programmes aimed at enhancing the student life experience for
students within the University. With various departments and organisations under
its belt, its sole mandate is centred on enriching the student life experience,
in providing a multitude of opportunities for holistic growth, support and
development outside of the academic space. Departments which can be
found under the Division of Student Affairs include (with various sub-divisional
programmes):

Centre for Student Development

• The Development and Leadership Unit (DLU)
• Student Governance Office(SGO)
• Student Transitions and Persistence Unit (STPU)
• Wits Citizenship and Community Outreach (WCCO)

Other support unit’s include the following:

• Campus Health and Wellness Clinic (CHWC)
• Counselling and Careers Development Unit (CCDU)
• Wits Sport
• Campus Housing and Residence Life (CHRL)

Student Support Offices which work hand-in-hand with the Division of Student
Affairs are:
• International Students Office
• The Disability Rights Unit (DRU)
• Gender Equity Office (GEO)

REMEMBER, THESE DEPARTMENTS ARE HERE TO ASSIST YOU. SHOULD YOU

REQUIRE ANY HELP, OR YOU ARE NOT SURE ABOUT VARIOUS CO-CURRICULAR
SUPPORT PROGRAMMES ON OFFER, FEEL FREE TO CONTACT THE VARIOUS
DEPARTMENTS OR VISIT THEIR OFFICES FOR MORE INFORMATION.

16 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
 FYE
FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE
FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE
PROGRAMME
The First Year Experience (FYE) Programme is a year-long programme designed
to help first year students in their transition from high school to university. The
Programme converges academic and student life through creating a facilitative

FYE
learning experience. Through partnerships with faculties and student leadership,
first-year students will explore how they want to engage, learn and thrive in their
university community and beyond.
The aim of the FYE Programme is to support the student life and academic journey
of first-year students through facilitative experiential learning opportunities that
include:FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE
• Creating a sense of resourcefulness through introducing first-year students to
the academic culture of the university;
• Building a sense of community through creating a sense of connectedness to
peers and staff at the University, and to build a pipeline of support;
• Engage first-year students in the excitement of co-curricular development
space and socialise them into the university expectations.

The Programme includes the following engagement themes:

• Peer-to-peer Mentorship support

• Adjusting and thriving at university
• Mindful Practices for building resilience
• Embracing Multiculturalism and diversity
• Facilitating dialogue required for transitioning in the university space
• Professional support and referral to relevant support services on campus
• Include activities and services that accommodate disable students in their
transitions

More details on the Programme will be shared soon!

For more information, visit the Student Transitions and Persistence Unit (STPU) on
Wits Education Campus (Parktown), 2nd Floor of the Marang Building (291-299)
or email [email protected]

You can also visit our website for more information on our Programme offerings:
www.wits.ac.za/students/first-year-experience/

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 17
 JUMP START
YOUR YEAR
WITH FYE!
FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE (FYE)
MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME
The First Year Experience Mentorship Programme is a peer-to-peer support journey
designed to develop a sense of community to ensure that first-year students feel
a sense of belonging and connectedness within the University community.

A mentor is a senior student who has extensive institutional knowledge and

experience of student and academic life within the university. Mentors provide
guidance and support to first-year students’ transition from high school to
university.

The objectives of the FYE Mentorship Programme is to take first-year students on

a journey of discovery, which is facilitated through the following:

• Creating safe spaces for first years to build a peer support network;
• Connecting first-year students to key support structures;
• Creating a proactive, shared, goal-orientated and caring relationship to
ensure the success of first-year students;
• Ensuring that the programme partners with first-year students in their learning
journey.

18 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 19
 CENTRE FOR STUDENT DEVELOPMENT (CSD)

CSD
STUDENT TRANSITIONS
AND PERSISTENCE UNIT(STPU)
CENTRE FOR STUDENT
DEVELOPMENT

The Student Transitions and Persistence Unit (STPU) forms part of the Division
of Student Affairs, within the Centre of Student Development (CSD). The Unit
is dedicated to implementing evidence-based theories and best practices in
student transitions within higher education, with a focus on fostering a seamless
and empowering journey for students at Wits University. Our mission is to
facilitate successful transitions for diverse cohorts of students, from entry to exit,
by providing comprehensive support, resources, and initiatives that promote
academic achievement, personal growth, and social integration. Through
strategic partnerships and innovative programmes, we aim to create an inclusive
and empowering environment that equips students with the skills, resilience, and
adaptability needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Activities
• Design and implement First Year Experience and First Year Experience
Mentorship programmes
• Gateway to Success orientation
• Postgraduate student transitions, retention and support strategies,
• Part-time students transitions and support
• Support initiatives for achieving and at-risk students.

The STPU prides itself on listening to the student voice as it offers critical insights
into their needs, challenges, and aspirations, which are essential for creating
supportive environments that foster persistence and success. In conjunction,
student voices are critical for tailoring student support programmes and
initiatives to make it relatable for students. It goes beyond mere structural
feedback mechanisms, and it is about addressing the systemic structures that
silence student voices in HE—it’s about empowering students to participate in
decision-making processes that affect their academic, social, and personal
development.

You can find us at:

Office: 2nd Floor Offices 291-299, Marang Building, Wits Education Campus

Tel: 011 717 8684/65

Email: [email protected]

Visit our webpage on STPU - Wits University - www.wits.ac.za/students/stpu/

20 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
 CSD
CENTRE FOR STUDENT
DEVELOPMENT AND
LEADERSHIP UNIT
DEVELOPMENT

The Development and Leadership Unit (DLU) of the Division of Student Affairs
at the University of the Witwatersrand, provides co-curricular development
opportunities for students across all faculties that have a desire to develop
themselves personal, socially and professionally

WHAT DO WE OFFER?

Customised Programming
This entails designing programmes in partnership with various stakeholders based
on their developmental needs and to centre the individual at the core of the
design process to ensure the desired learning outcomes is achieved. The areas
of customised programming that the DLU provides are as follows:

• Personal Development
These programmes provide an opportunity for students to think about how to
be courageous and “show” up in every space they find themselves. In addition,
provide the opportunity for students to develop personal skills and competencies
such as emotional intelligence, personal leadership, critical thinking, personal
growth, and formation.

• Social Development
These programmes provide an opportunity for student to think about themselves
in relation to others and to challenge their assumptions of gender dynamics,
cultures, race relations, and the way in which they communicate, connect,
and engage across all people. These customised programmes provide an
opportunity for students to develop their people skills and competencies such as,
interpersonal skills, social intelligence, cross-cultural intelligence, and leadership.

• Professional Development
These programmes provide an opportunity for students to think about their
professional development and how they equip themselves to be engaged
industry leaders. These customised programme offerings incorporate work-based
skills through innovation, in terms of how students can be effective decision-
makers and problem solvers, through developing competencies such as project
management and a design-mindset.
community.
Some of our Customised Programming offerings include:
The Student Entrepreneurship Education Development (SEED) Programme
The SEED programme is focused on cultivating the entrepreneurial mind-set of
students as part of student development and developing entrepreneurship

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 21
 enabled communities. Students can look forward to Entrepreneurship Education
and Development, Community Building through the Student Entrepreneur’s
Club, Exposure through ideation platforms, and Entrepreneurship Development
in Higher Education (EDHE) competitions.

Bursary-Wrap-Around Support Programme

In collaboration with select Bursary Providers, the Development and Leadership
Unit offers a holistic wrap-around support programme as we recognise the need
to create an ecosystem of support that underpins students holistically throughout
their period of study. In this way, we can ensure a significant increase in throughput
rates, and drastically reduce students repeating years of academic studies due
to a lack of support. This support is offered through academic and mentoring
assistance, psychosocial support and workplace preparation in addition to
financial support to give students the maximum chance of student success.
Wrap-Around Support is premised on an understanding that it is not enough to
provide financial support, without equipping our students with tools of navigating
a successful transition from High School to University life.

Leadership Capacity Building Programmes

Leadership Training and Development under the Development and Leadership
Unit is largely focused on capacity-building and underpinned by the principles
of leadership. This includes designing and developing programmes which
strengthen the skills, instincts, abilities, processes, and resources that student
leadership organisations and student communities need to survive, adapt, and
thrive in a fast-changing world. An essential component of capacity-building
is transformation that is generated and sustained over time from within; a
transformation which goes beyond performing tasks but creates change-makers
through mindsets and attitudes.

Experiential Learning Offerings

The Development and Leadership Unit (DLU) offers Experiential Learning
Offerings. This is essentially coined as “learning by doing”. According to David
Kolb, an American educational theorist this type of learning can be defined
as “the process whereby knowledge is created through the transformation of
experience”.

You can find us at:

Development and Leadership offices,
1st floor, Student Union Building (Matrix)
Braamfontein Campus East
For more information, visit

www.wits.ac.za/students/development-and-leadership-unit/

“No Longer Extraordinary, but Out of the Ordinary.”

22 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 23
 GOLDEN KEY INTERNATIONAL
HONOUR SOCIETY
Golden Key is an international non-profit organisation which recognises
excellence exemplified in academic achievements, leadership skills and
community involvement. Golden Key International Honour Society is the world’s
largest academic honour society and was founded in Atlanta, Georgia, USA
almost 40 years ago. Golden Key recognises and encourages academic
excellence amongst the top 15% of academic achievers attending tertiary
institutions all around the world.

Through the three pillars which govern the ethos of the Golden Key International
Honour Society namely leadership, service and academics, the Golden Key
boasts a myriad of support programmes aimed at enhancing the student life
experience whilst concurrently ensuring academic excellence for students.

The Golden Key Peer Mentorship Programme is a programme designed to

mentor and equip students with the necessary academic and co-curricular
support in ensuring academic success. Boasting elements of peer-to-peer
counselling, mentor-mentee one-on-one sessions and advisory from relevant
faculties, the Mentorship Programmes ensures students succeed academically.
This programme is open to both Golden Key and non-Golden Key students,
however, mentorship is strictly provided by students who form part of the Golden
Key International Society, Wits Chapter.

For Wits Golden Key Chapter related queries:

The Development and Leadership Unit
2nd Floor, Student Union Building (The Matrix Building)
East Campus, Wits University

Contact the head office for general Golden Key queries at:
Golden Key International Honour Society
Pegasus Building 1 (SPACES)
210 Amarand Avenue, Menlyn Maine, Pretoria

24 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
 STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL

The Student Representative Council (SRC) advocates for the needs and rights
of students. The SRC is mandated by the student body to be the students’ voice
in the highest decision making structures of the University, like Council and
the University Senate. The SRC is an umbrella body which supports all student
structures which are under its jurisdiction.

The SRC is here to voice your concerns, interests (academic, financial, residential,
sporting, etc.) and suggestions. We are in full support of a balance in academics,
extra-curricular activities, and everything that defines a Witsie.

We work tirelessly to ensure that you have a pleasant experience at Wits.

WHAT DO WE DO?

The SRC deals with various queries and organisations in ensuring adequate
student representation and support. This includes but is not limited to:
• Managing of clubs and societies
• Student representative matters in schools, faculties and Senate
• Queries and representation regarding academic and financial exclusions
• Fundraising initiatives for the Humanitarian Fund and students at large.

For more information, you can find us at:

Contact Number: 011 717 9206

Offices: 2nd Floor, Matrix, Braamfontein Campus East

For more information , you can visit https://www.wits.ac.za/students/src

WE ARE HERE TO SERVE YOU!

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 25
 CSD
CENTRE FOR STUDENT
STUDENT GOVERNANCE
OFFICE (SGO)
DEVELOPMENT

STUDENT CLUBS AND SOCIETIES

Wits has a vibrant culture filled with various student clubs and societies, with
events happening almost every day.

With over 143 active clubs and societies on campus, there are many social
activities to partake in on campus. Clubs and societies offer many opportunities
of engagement and immersing oneself into the Wits culture and way of life.

Clubs and societies are categorised into five clusters, namely:

• Religious
• Cultural
• Social & Entertainment
• Academic & Media
• Business, Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Through participating in these clubs and societies, you are bound to find
activities and associate with people who have common interests as you. There
is something for everyone to partake in. If not, you can always start your own
club!

If you have any questions about starting a new club or society or any other club
concern, come find us at:

Student Governance Office

2nd Floor, Student Union Building (The Matrix)
Braamfontein Campus East

For more information, go to:

www.wits.ac.za/students/clubs-and-societies

or contact:

Student Governance Office

Reception: 011 717 9206
Email: [email protected]

26 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
 CSD
CENTRE FOR STUDENT
WITS CITIZENSHIP AND
COMMUNITY OUTREACH (WCCO)
DEVELOPMENT

The Wits Citizenship and Community Outreach (WCCO) promotes active

citizenship and community service among Witsies as student leadership
development opportunities.

Join the WCCO and make a difference! You can work as a volunteer on campus
in your community, in other communities, with children, youth or the aged. Causes
are diverse, including sustainable development, literacy development, social
justice, child welfare, disability rights and animal welfare. You can also initiate
your own community engagement project to meet a variety of community
needs. Get involved in community campaigns held on campus. These include
an NGO Fair, A Day Without Shoes, Mandela Day, Humanitarian Day, Cupcake
Day and other campaigns, which are great fun.

WCCO has several projects that benefit Wits’ students: These include the Wits
Food Programme, which exists to support students who are food insecure. The
Food Programme comprises: The Wits Food Bank which distributes food parcels;
the Masidleni Daily Meal Project which offers a hot meal a day to students. We
also have food gardens to grow fresh vegetables for students. All these projects
are run by student volunteers.

Leadership development occurs across many contexts and WCCO provides

short co-curricular programmes styled in formats that are convenient and can
be completed in the academic year. WCCO offers:

• The Civic Leadership Programme - a week-long winter school during the July
recess. This programme is designed to help students pursue careers in the civil
society and government sectors, students who are socially and politically
active in their communities, and who are eager to make a positive impact in
South Africa.
• The Climate Justice Education Programme - runs over a 6-week period with a
2-hour session on a Wednesday evening.
• Wits Volunteer Rural Camp - You can even immerse yourself in a one-week
intensive rural volunteer experience.

Why join WCCO?

• Community service will allow you to better understand of diversity including

issues of disability, racism, sexism, poverty and other social issues
• You will also gain crucial leadership skills including self-confidence, critical
thinking skills, conflict resolution, and a sense of social responsibility

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 27
 You can find the WCCO at:
The Sanctuary Building Between the Rugby and Cricket Fields Hostel Drive,
Braamfontein Campus East

Tel: 011 717 9217/ 9377

Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

For more information, scan the QR code:

www.wits.ac.za/students/wits-citizenship-and-community-outreach

28 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
 BOTSWA HA BO JELWE.

LAZINESS DOES NOT PAY.

Sesotho Proverb

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 29
 CAMPUS HOUSING AND
RESIDENCE LIFE (CHRL)

Living and Learning at Wits Residences

Campus Housing and Residence Life (CHRL) is responsible for overseeing all
aspects of the University’s residence programmes, including accommodation
and meals, and the provision of recreational facilities and programmes for the
improved academic performance and the holistic development of students
within a residential environment.

Communal living requires a high degree of broad-mindedness and cooperation,

and consideration for others’ rights. There are rules regarding visiting hours in
residences, as well as permissible noise levels at specific times of the day. The
residence rules are displayed in all residences. Majority of first year students
normally select catered residences, which have dining halls that are located
near each of the undergraduate residences. Students can book meals at any of
the six dining halls to suit their academic, personal, or social schedules.

In each residence, staff members include the Residence Cluster Manager and
Residence Warden, who both reside on campus or on the residence premises. The
Residence Cluster Manager oversees all operational matters across a cluster of
residences. The Residence Warden provides after-hour supervision in a residence,
and they are supported by the House Committee of that residence. First year
undergraduate students are placed as best as possible in their room choice
according to their various fields of study. Moreover, students with disabilities are
appropriately integrated into campus residences.

The residence placement of students is as follows:

Cluster Residence Faculty Accommodation officer

Braamfontein Cluster

Manager: Noswal Hall Ms Elsie Mooke

All Faculties
Mr Bhekizizwe Nkosi Mixed gender [email protected]

[email protected]
011 717 5008

East Campus Cluster

Mens Halls of Commerce,
Manager: Ms Sibongile Khanye
Residence Law and
Mr Bhekizizwe Nkosi [email protected]
Males only Management;
011 717 9610 Humanities
[email protected]
011 717 5008

30 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
 Braam Centre Residence
Manager:

Mr Bhekizizwe Nkosi Ms Dikeledi Segwape

All Faculties Mixed Gender
[email protected]
[email protected]

011 717 5008

East Campus Cluster Manager:

Setsi Sekate

011 717 5081 Commerce, Law and Ms Cheryl Khota

Management [email protected]
Jubilee Hall of residence
Females Only
011 717 9601

Sunnyside Hall Ms Princess Ncapayi

Humanities, Commerce,
Females only
Law and Management [email protected]
011 717 9623

International House Ms Princess Ncapayi

Postgraduates Residence
011 7179623 [email protected]

West Campus Cluster Manager:

Mr. Bhekizizwe Nkosi 011 717 5008
Ms Nobuhle Hlatshwayo
All Faculties
[email protected]
David Webster Hall Females only
011 7179642

Barnato Hall
Mixed Gender
Mr Thoba Mthembu
All Faculties
011 717 9631 [email protected]

West Campus Village Ms Nobuhle Hlatshwayo

Postgraduates Residence
011 7179642 [email protected]

Parktown Cluster Manager: Setsi

Sekate
Science; Engineering and the Built
Environment Ms Mirriam Mamatela
011 717 5081
[email protected]

Knockando Halls of residences Humanities- Education

Males Only

Ernest Oppenheimer Hall Mr Ntokozo Dube

Health Sciences
Males only 011 717 3822 [email protected]

Girton Hall
Females Only Mr Mxolisi Molefe
Health Sciences
[email protected]
011 717 5071

Reith Hall Engineering and the built

Females Only Environment Ms Tembisa Mcitwa
[email protected]
011 717 5076
Science

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 31
 Medhust Hall Science
Females Only Ms Tembisa Mcitwa
[email protected]
011 717 5076 Humanities- Education

Wits Junction Cluster

Manager: Ms. Faith Nkonyane

[email protected]
All Faculties Mr Prince Seroto
[email protected]
011 717 5031

Wits Junction 011 717 5032

General Services
Communal residence facilities include common rooms; indoor game rooms; TV
Rooms; free laundry facilities; study areas; computer centres and Wi-Fi internet
access. A limited number of residences have gyms and outdoor sporting facilities.

There is an inter-campus bus service that travels to all off campus residences
between 06:30 and 23:30, Mondays to Fridays, and on weekends the buses go to
Rosebank Shopping Mall. The Wits inter-campus bus service offers a wheelchair-
accessible bus upon request.

Each residence has a dedicated Accommodation Officer (who oversees all

the residence administrative matters); a Housekeeper and a Handyman. To
support first year residence students in their academic programmes or studies, it
is compulsory for all of them to attend the residence-based tutorials on a weekly
basis. The tutorials are usually offered every Sunday night (from 19:30 to 21:30)
during the academic terms. The venues are as follows:

Venue Faculty
Humanities - Education
Knockando Dining Hall
- Knockando residents Engineering and the Built Environment
only
Science
Girton Dining Hall Health Sciences
Medhurst Dining Hall Science
Humanities - Education
Reith Dining Hall Engineering and the Built Environment
Jubilee Hall Commerce

Regarding medical support, the Campus Health and Wellness Centre provides
residence students with a wide range of services at a nominal fee per consultation.
This may also cover basic medication. All residence staff members are trained to
offer first aid. The Milpark Hospital, Parklane Clinic, Brenthurst Clinic (for students
with medical aid cover) and Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital are
located in close proximity to the University.

32 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
Useful Contact Details (During office hours only, Except Campus Protection
Services):

University Switchboard 011 717 1000

Central Accommodation Office 011 717 9172/9173/9174
Fax 011 339 8213
[email protected]

Female Catering Residences - Office numbers:

Girton Hall 011 717 5071
Jubilee Hall 011 717 9601
Medhurst Hall 011 717 5091
Reith Hall 011 717 5091
Sunnyside 011 717 9623
David Webster 011 717 99642
Male Catering Residences - Office Hours
EOH 011 717 3822
Knockando Halls 011 482 4326/011 726 2924
Men’s Halls 011 717 9628

International Student Residences

International House
Self catering 011 717 9623

Mixed Gender Catering Residences - Office Hours

Barnato Hall 011 717 9631

Mixed Gender Self-catering Residences - Office Hours

Noswal Hall 011 717 5009
The Wits Junction 011 717 5028/5029/5032

Campus Protection Services 011 717 4444/6666 (24 hours service)

Campus Health and Wellness 011 717 9111/9113

Development Unit 011 717 9140

For more information, visit
www.wits.ac.za/accommodation

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 33
 Campus Health and Wellness Centre
The Campus Health & Wellness Centre (CHWC) offers a wide variety of health
services to Wits students and staff members. The services are convenient,
accessible, ethical and cost-effective.

The CHWC is a registered professional medical practice. All its patients’ records
are therefore confidential. Information regarding a patient will only be released
with written permission from the patient if ordered by a court of law, or in the
case of a life-threatening illness, only when it is in the patient’s best interest.

PRIVATE OFF-CAMPUS ACCOMMODATION

The University recognises that the private, off-campus accommodation listed
below is generally suited to the needs of students in terms of location, facilities and
services. This should not, however, be construed as a form of recommendation.
The University accepts no responsibility for the quality of facilities or services.

Note: The companies listed below are not affiliated to the University in any way,
and any accommodation agreement entered into is therefore strictly between
the signatories – ie the student (or a parent/guardian/sponsor) and the property
owner/s.

34 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
 WITS ICT

The Wits Information and Communications Technology (Wits ICT) division is here
to make your university experience smooth and seamless! We are the ones
behind the scenes ensuring all technological resources—from computers to
Wi-Fi, software, and more—work reliably so you can focus on your studies and
student life:

Remember: Your student email address is [email protected]

and your password will be provided to you after successful registration by Wits
ICT.

EMAIL SERVICE
All students receive 80GB of storage on Gmail. This storage size is especially
helpful for research students, making it easier to store and manage important
communication with colleagues, mentors, and collaborators, providing plenty of
space for academic and personal emails.

STUDENT ONEDRIVE
Each student is allocated a 20GB storage size.

PASSWORD RESET
If you need to reset your Wits student password, follow these quick steps:
1. Go to Wits Password Reset (https://witsapps.wits.ac.za/
studentpasswordreset/) and click on the “Reset my password” button.
2. Enter your student number.
3. Choose whether you want to receive a validation code via SMS or email.
4. Enter the validation code you received.
5. Once validated, you can reset your password.

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 35
 WITS ULWAZI:
Ulwazi serves as the University of the Witwatersrand’s Learning Management
System(LMS) utilizing the powerful Canvas platform to facilitate teaching and
learning. Canvas is a widely adopted and advanced LMS used by many
universities, offering seamless access for numerous users simultaneously.

ACCESS ULWAZI:

From a computer: Enter ulwazi.wits.ac.za

From the mobile app:

• Search for ‘Canvas’ in the iOS or App store
• For students, download Canvas Student

After installation, click ‘Find my school’

and type Ulwazi University of the Witwatersrand.

ULWAZI AVAILABLE SERVICES:

• Course materials access

• Announcements
• Discussion forums
• Assignment submission
• Grade tracking
• Communication tools with lecturers and students

WITS MOBILE APP

Wits University has a one stop shop mobile app that gives you access to everything
you need as a student.

For Android:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ac.za.wits.mobile.apps&hl=en_ZA

For iOS:

https://apps.apple.com/eg/app/wits-mobile/id1638185219

36 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
STUDENT LOAN DEVICES
The University supports student success through the Student Loan Device
project, enhancing facilities for hybrid learning.

For applications details contact: [email protected]

ICT SERVICE DESK

Location: Solomon Mahlangu Building

Ground floor, Room: 99
Email address: [email protected]
Contact no.: 011 717 1717

ULWAZI DETAILS

Location: Solomon Mahlangu Building

First floor, Room; 1064
Email address: [email protected]
Contact no.: 011 717 8887
011 717 1000 (Option3)

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 37
 UKUSHIY’ INDUK’ EBANDLA

UKUZALA UMNTWANA OYOSALA

WENA SEWAFA NOMA UKUBEKA
IQHAZA KOKWENZIWAYO

LEAVING A GOOD MARK BEHIND FOR PEOPLE

TO FOLLOW YOUR GOOD EXAMPLE.

Zulu Proverb

38
STUDENT SUPPORT
SERVICES

39
 CAMPUS HEALTH AND
WELLNESS CENTRE

Campus Health & Wellness Centre (CHWC) is a primary health care facility
on campus which serves both staff and students. With a vested commitment
in bringing quality health care within your reach, we strive to ensure that
students have opportunities to succeed in their academic, co-curricular, extra-
curricular, social and moral endeavours.

Our vision is to strive for excellence in the delivery of health care services on
campus, thus contributing to the optimal health and wellbeing of the Wits
community.

“Your health is our concern”

Services on offer:

• Prevention services early screening for diabetes, high blood pressure and HIV
counselling and testing, etc
• Curative services full assessment, diagnosis, and treatment with medication.
Prompt emergency care and referral to a tertiary hospital for further
investigation and management.
• Reproduction health care contraceptives, emergency contraceptives, STI
(sexually transmitted infections) treatment, pap smears, and referral for TOP
(termination of pregnancy).
• Health Promotion Wellness is encouraged by way of promoting a healthy
lifestyle, sensible eating, responsible sexuality, HIV/AIDS awareness, dental
health, early stress management, exercise, and participation in sports by
discouraging the abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other harmful substances.
• An affordable range of rapid tests including HIV, Pregnancy, Blood sugar
tests, etc.
• Mental Health The mental health nurses conduct the mental health
evaluation and provides treatment
• Emergency Service Immediate attention for all medical emergencies on
campus. Paramedic services onsite.

The health care services provided are cost-effective, convenient, accessible

and comprehensive. Our goal is to assist the individual, sick or well, in the
performance of those activities contributing to health, or its recovery, such that
holistic development of the individual is enhanced.

40 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
Payment of Services

• Residence students pay a capitation fee at the time of registration and are
therefore charged only R20 for consultation with a PHC nurse, including
treatment.
• Day students pay a consultation fee of R50 for consultation with a PHC nurse,
including treatment.
• Students are advised to make the payment via the kudu bucks’ terminal or in
the clinic via speed point transaction.

A satellite health care service is available on the Wits Education Campus in

Parktown

It is located in the Highfield House close to the residence dining hall. Operations
are daily from 08:30 to 16:00

The Clinic is closed over weekends and during public holidays.

Appointments
Appointments for consultation are booked on daily basis, from 08:00 – 16:00.

Students are advised to schedule an appointment online, on their student

portal or access the booking system on CHWC webpage.

Or use the link below to access the booking system:

https://witsapps.wits.ac.za/booking/p/campushealthstudents

Emergencies
To report an emergency on campus, please call the following number
011 717 9111/13 during office hours.

After hours emergencies can be reported to Res Wardens to access ER24

Services.

Operating Hours Monday- Friday 08:00 - 16:30

Location
The main health care service is located in the Students Union Building, lower
Ground Floor of the Matrix, Braamfontein Campus East

www.wits.ac.za/campushealth
Watch campus notice boards for health promotion activities throughout the
year.

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 41
 COUNSELLING AND CAREERS
DEVELOPMENT UNIT

IT’S OKAY TO ASK FOR HELP! Psychometric Career Assessments

to help guide your career decision-
As a student, you might face several making process. We also offer the
challenges. The Counselling & Careers Graduate Recruitment Programme
Development Unit (CCDU) offers you and the Journey to Employability
support and development to enable and Economic Participation (JEEP)
your academic success. CCDU offers: programme.
Personal Counselling
You may experience trauma, anxiety, -Career Development Services:
bereavement, alcohol or substance
abuse or any other adjustment are tailored to assist students in
challenges. Come to CCDU for making informed career decisions
confidential, emotional support. through Career Counselling, Career
Depending on your need, this may Coaching, and Psychometric Career
include one-on-one group support Assessments. These services are
and therapy, individual counselling, or complemented by the Graduate
a referral to an appropriate external Recruitment Programme (GRP) and
resource. the Journey to Employability and
To help you succeed at Wits, CCDU Economic Participation (JEEP), which
suggests you: equip students with the skills and
• Know your strengths and weaknesses opportunities needed to thrive in the
• Establish academic goals dynamic workplace.
• Develop a time management system
• Stay on top of your assignments -Graduate Recruitment Programme
• Establish a study routine (GRP):
• Get to know your lecturers
• Find a study partner in each class Connects students with top
• Participate in campus activities employers, creating pathways for
• Balance work and play career growth and professional
development through career fairs,
Mentoring networking events, and employer
Mentoring presentations.
CCDU trains senior students to be
mentors. Should you require a mentor, -Journey to Employability and
speak to your faculty or school, or the Economic Participation (JEEP):
Student Transition and Persistence Unit
(STPU). Prepares students for the workforce
with engaging workshops and
Career Development Services presentations that focus on job
These services include Career search strategies, professional
Counselling, Career Coaching, and etiquette, and navigating workplace
dynamics.

42 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
 For more information and to register for #Let’s Chat
JEEP, visit the Ulwazi site: Throughout the year we host peer
to peer dialogues called the “Let’s
https://ulwazi.wits.ac.za/enroll/JB4HDD Chat” series. we create dialogues
spaces for students hosted by our
peer educators and these are
Just Motivated Peers
usually on themes that students can
This is our energetic peer educator
relate to.
programme. We train students
who are eager to be involve and
wanting to give back to the student Advocacy Services
community. Our peers then engage CCDU promotes the holistic learning
in hosting awareness drives and and development of students
dialogues to contribute to the social through
and learning experiences of students the facilitation of life skills workshops,
on campus. trainings and campaigns. We
encourage you to participate in the
dynamic and vibrant advocacy
JUST MOTIVATED campaigns that focus on Kindness,
Women’s Day, Mandela day,
PEERS! substance abuse, sexual health
and mental health awareness, etc.

NEED HELP? UDINGA USIZO?

CCDU Braamfontein Campus West:

CCDU Building
Tel: 011 717 9140/32
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.wits.ac.za/ccdu/

CCDU Education Campus:

Marang Building, Ground Floor, Room 14
Tel: 011 717 3269
Both offices are open Monday-Friday 08:00-16:30

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 43
 Southern
Africa
Formerly ICAS Southern Africa

NEW LYRA
WELLBEING
MOBILE APP
TO ACCESS THE NEW WITS STUDENT CRISIS/COUNSELLING TEXTING APP:

• Download the LYRA WELLBEINGHUB APP (Formerly ICAS)

• App company code is: WIT001

• Or get in touch online: https://app.icas.health/

Alternatively, scan the QR Code

WHAT YOU GET FROM THE LYRA WELLBEING HUB APP:

• Free 24/7 support @ your fingertips, including weekends and holi-
days, from anywhere in South Africa with network coverage
• Real time crisis counselling and support through live chats and con-
fidential sessions, right from your smartphone
• Extensive library of wellness information
• Wellness assessments
• FAQs about ICAS and every available service
THE TOLL FREE LINE IS AVAILABLE 24/7/365: 0800 111 331
Download the App, save the toll free number and keep both handy. Even if you don’t need
them right now, you, or a friend might need them later - be proactive!

44 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
 DISABILITY RIGHTS UNIT
The Wits Disability Rights Unit (DRU) has been a leader in the provision of services
for students with disabilities since it opened in 1986, and is uniquely positioned to
overcome the education barriers and accessibility requirements facing students
with visual, hearing, physical, learning and psychological disabilities, as well as
chronic illnesses. DRU assists students with disabilities to receive academic support
and reasonable accommodations to participate equally and fully in all aspects
of university life. It endeavours to make the learning environment a rewarding
and enriching one through the exceptional design of innovative learning and
working environments, and continually strives to promote disability awareness
and the abilities of people with disabilities.
Full-time registered students with disabilities are supported through DRU. The
University has a formal Disability Policy, which serves as a written commitment
to admit and to support academically eligible students with disabilities. DRU
currently provides support to over 1300 undergraduate and postgraduate
students with disabilities, many of whom come from neighbouring provinces and
historically disadvantaged backgrounds.

DRU Services:
• Campus orientation
• Mobility training
• Computer Centres with state-of-the-art assistive technology
• An Adaptive Technologist who provides specialist computer training and
technological support
• A Neurodiversity and Mental Health Coordinator who assists students with
mental health and learning difficulties by facilitating mental health, study and
time management support programmes
• Support for Deaf students through South African Sign Language Interpreting or
Real-time captioning services
• Provision of academic materials in an accessible format (e.g. electronic,
braille) and various other academic interventions
• Assistance with extra-time applications for tests and exams
• A separate test and exam venue for students using assistive technology
• Providing sensitisation and awareness training to employees and students
• Academic and Facilities Access Coordinator to assist with physical access
challenges
• Assistance with disability parking or access onto campus for Persons with
mobility issues
The DRU is located at the following campuses:
1st Floor, Solomon Mahlangu House, East Wing, Braamfontein Campus East
1st Floor, Admin Block, Parktown Education Campus

DRU Contact Details:

Tel: 011 717 9154 / 52
www.wits.ac.za/disability-rights-unit

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 45
46 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
 WITS CAMPUS PROTECTION SERVICES

SAFETY
Campus Protection Services is a safety and security division which is aimed at
reporting and alleviating any crime-related incident in-and-around the Wits
University precinct.

They offer a multitude of services that ensures the safety of both students and
staff, and advocate for an incident and crime-free space.

Reporting Crime
Potential criminal actions and police emergencies can be reported to Campus
Protection Services. The Protection Services office can be contacted 24/7.

Protection Services consist of the following units:

• Operations
• Visible Patrols
• Vehicle Patrols Undercover Patrols
• Access Control
• Residence Protection
• Space Management (Foot, Golf, cart and vehicles)
• Investigations
• Crime Prevention and Liaison
• Technical Security Solutions (TSS) Parking
• Lost and Found Property office
• CCTV and Intruder detector system technicians Locksmiths

Off-Campus security and protection

Protection Services has introduced an afterhours bus service for off-campus
students who do not reside on campus residence. the Green Route Project.
This entails a Space Management Security, to patrol the routes between the
residences and campuses, as well as Braamfontein Campus and the Parktown
Campuses. Contact number: 011 717 1828

Routes Patrolled

Primary Routes

1. Parktown, from the Knockando Halls of Residence over to the Victoria Road
Bridge along Victoria Road into the Ernest Oppenheimer Halls of Residence (EOH)

2.Out of the Wits Business School gate, into St AndrewsRoad, into GirtonRoad to
Wellington Road, over Jan Smuts Avenue and enter campus through the Jubilee
turnstile.

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 47
 Secondary Routes

1. Braamfontein: Jorissen Street

2. Between Yale and De Korte

3. To the intersection of Jorissen and Bertha Streets and De Korte Street

4. Station street and Jan Smuts Avenue northwards, to the Jubilee turnstile, and
Yale Road towards Yale Residence.

Should you require any help on reporting or alerting the University on any
criminal activities, please dial the following numbers:

011 717 6666 011 717 4444 011 717 2222

48 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
mySOS
Wits has teamed up with mySOS to help the Wits community to be prepared for
any emergency on campus. Just press the Wits button and a call will be started to
Protection Services.

1. Open mySOS 2. Press the WITS 3. Choose for whom 4. Emergency 5. Call starts
app logo activated

How do you access this service?

1. Download mySOS for free and register yourself as a user.
2. Check that you see the Wits button in mySOS. (if you don’t make sure your
cell phone number is updated on your Wits profile online)
3. If you ever have an emergency on any of the Wits campuses, open the mySOS
app and press the Wits button.
4. A call will be made to Protection Service and they will receive a notification
that you have an emergency and your location.
It’s as easy as that .... But there is more!

mySOS can be used by anyone, anywhere in South Africa - so get your family to
download mySOS too, it could help save a life!
SCAN TO DOWNLOAD

For more information: www.mysos.co.za X (Twitter): @mySOScoza Facebook: mySOS

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 49
 WITS SPORT

QUALITY SPORTING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL

Wits Sport has a growing reputation and its focus is on ensuring that every student
has the opportunity to participate in sport, regardless of ability or interest.

There are various activities which students can partake in, and facilities which
students can use in enhancing growth within various sporting areas that can go
alongside your university careers. These include:

Recreational Sport
With many taking part in activities and classes on offer every week, there are
plenty of opportunities for students to participate in for fun. A new Wits Fitness and
Wellness Centre now complements the High Performance Gym. Both facilities
enable students to improve their core fitness or strength and conditioning for a
particular sport.

Club Sport
There are over 20 student-led sports clubs to choose from. These provide
opportunities to represent Wits in a multitude of competitions (USSA, Provincial/
local leagues, and National and International) and championships.

Facilities
Wits has some of the best sports facilities in South Africa.

Students can enjoy:

• Wits Strength and Conditioning Gym(OMSH)
• 2 Olympic swimming pools
• Running and walking routes
• Multiple indoor sports halls with specialist areas for basketball,
• Netball and volleyball Several studio spaces
• 2 X 4000-seater capacity stadia (football and rugby)

www.wits.ac.za/sport

• Find Wits Sport on Facebook www.facebook.com/Wits Sport/

• Twitter @WitsSport
• Instagram @witssport
• TikTok - @witssport

50 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
 DRAMA FOR LIFE
dfldramaforlife

Applied Drama and Drama Therapy – A postgraduate division of the Wits

School of Arts

Drama for Life, based at the Wits School of Arts, is dedicated to arts for social
transformation and healing.

Drama for Life is internationally recognised as the University’s unique postgraduate

academic, research and community engagement department that brings
together the disciplines of Applied Drama/Theatre, Performance Ethnography,
Performance as Research, Arts Education, Drama Therapy and Expressive Arts
Therapies within the context of a critical reflexive praxis.

Our ethos is driven by three key questions:

• What does it mean to be human in the 21st century?
• How can we learn to be resilient, without compromising our humanity, as we
engage with the enormous challenges of change in the 21st century?
• How can we effectively use the arts, without compromising its aesthetic
power, to bring about meaningful, sustainable social transformation and
healing?

Our unique programme of education create interventions, performances, rituals

and processes that skilfully and appropriately address social transformation and
healing in a wide range of education, health and social contexts.

Drama for Life FYE O-Week Play:

What would you say are the best and worst things about starting at university?
Choosing the right courses? Attending the right events and presentations? Not
being lost for every single class in the first week?!

Whatever comes to mind, there is always something new and exciting to

discover at university, and Wits offers the best of such opportunities! The secret to
success though is getting the balance of all these choices just right. This comic
orientation week play will be sure to give you all the tips, tools and tricks to make
your first year a success!

About Drama for Life Theatre Company

The Drama for Life Theatre Company is a professional performance intervention
company, based and trained at Drama for Life, at Wits. The company is
committed to creating Applied Drama and Theatre programmes, encompassing

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 51
 stylised performances and workshops. In particular they aim to assist youth to
find their voice, process social challenges, and find their vision for a new way
forward.

As part of the broader Wits University student support drive, Drama for Life
has created and presented countless interventions, activations, discussions
and performances among the Wits community. From the comic Gateway to
Success (GTS) Orientation Week (O-Week) play, to the racy Sex Sports! on the
Library Lawns, and even late-night Lover+Another poetry and UNZIPPED theatre
performances in Residences, Drama for Life’s work, led by the Theatre Company
and students opens critical dialogue through fun and engaging mediums. Most
importantly, the Drama for Life programme has also offered key training and
support to multiple Wits student groups (CCDU peer-educators, STPU, CLM Pre-
University Programme and Res Life teams) to assist in strengthening their service
to and support of fellow students.

For more information, visit

www.wits.ac.za/wsoa/drama-for-life

OR

General Enquiries: [email protected] or call +2711 717 4734

www.dramaforlife.co.za

52 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
53
54 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
 INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS OFFICE
(ISO)

The International Students Office (ISO) is a small but energetic team and seeks
to complement services provided by Faculties and academic departments to
international students.

ISO is the hub of information for international students from over sixty countries,
many of which are from the African continent. This provides the office with a
unique position to promote internationalisation both at home and abroad.

The ISO offers support to international students which includes:

• Compliance with the Immigration Regulations of South Africa when registering,
• Guidance for the application of study visas and the renewal,
• Providing information and facilitating Matriculation Exemption applications for
international students with a foreign matric,
• Promoting and contributing to events hosted by the International Student Sub-
Council (ISSC),

The office also welcomes study abroad students. This is a great opportunity
for students from partner universities to immerse themselves in the vibrant and
innovative activities on campus, in the city and South Africa.
The International Students Office also promotes study abroad opportunities to
students registered at Wits University to spend one or two semesters at partner
universities for non-degree purposes.

General Enquiries and Letter of Undertaking for study visas:

Email: [email protected]

International Clearance to register:

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: +27 11 717 1054

Physical Address:
Ground floor, Solomon Mahlangu House, West Wing, Braamfontein Campus
East, Braamfontein, Johannesburg, Gauteng Province, Republic of South
Africa

Postal Address: International Students Office, Private Bag X3

University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2050, Republic of South Africa

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 55
 The South African MeerKAT radio telescope – a precursor to the Square Kilometre Array

Africans should be the contributors, shapers and owners of coming

advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning.

- Professor Zeblon Vilakazi

56 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
 Discover the
Wits Anglo American
Digital Dome
Step into the future with Joburg's new
Wits Anglo American Digital Dome.

Get ready for a jaw-dropping 360°

immersive experience where science, art,
technology, and innovation collide.
From cosmic journeys to wild migrations,
every show will captivate and inspire.

A landmark for learning, exploration, and

wonder — don’t miss out!

Visit digitaldome.wits.ac.za
for more details.

www.wits.ac.za

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 57
 GENDER EQUITY OFFICE

The Gender Equity Office (GEO) is committed to providing a safe institutional

environment where all members of the Wits community can learn, work,
and engage in university duties and activities, free from all forms of gender
inequities and gender-based harm including sexual harassment, sexual
violence, and sexism.

What is sexual and gender-related misconduct?

Any conduct of a sexual or gender-related nature that constitutes an
impairment of the dignity and/or bodily integrity of a member of the University
community. This includes, though not exclusively, acts of violence (such as
sexual assault, domestic and intimate relationship violence and rape), bullying,
discrimination, harassment and victimisation. Gender-related misconduct
should be understood within the University’s misconduct frameworks for staff
and students

Functions of the GEO:

• Receive and respond to complaints of sexual and gender-based harm (GBH).
• Provide dedicated support including psychosocial support to complainants.
• Compile, monitor, and analyse GBH complaints from within the University.
• Discuss options for support and redress including, where relevant, disciplinary
processes where the respondent is a Wits staff member or student.
• Manage independent hearing panels for disciplinary processes under a
complainant-sensitive procedure for sexual and gender-related misconduct.
• Develop appropriate policies and procedures for dealing with GBH and
gender inequities at the University.
• Undertake sustained and informed proactive advocacy interventions across
campus to raise awareness about GBH and to advance gender equity.

The advocacy unit is responsible for:

• Developing informed proactive advocacy interventions across campus to
raise awareness about GBH and to advance gender equity.
• Facilitating workshops, webinars, colloquiums, pop-ups on gender equity,
sexual and gender related themes.
• Facilitating first responder training for staff and students on GBH related
matters.
• Conducting empowering engagements at residences on GBH.
• Facilitating training on the University’s gender equity related policies and
procedures for management, staff and students.
• Coordinating and training of student volunteers.
• Collaborating and partnering with internal and external stakeholders.
• Coordinating and organizing voluntary student involvement in advocacy

58 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
 The legal unit is responsible for the following intervening measures:
• Receiving and investigating complaints of sexual and gender-related
misconduct.
• Coordinating disciplinary hearings.
• Issuing of cease-and-desist letters.
• Where appropriate, arrange for the suspension or special leave of staff or the
suspension from residence or leave of absence of students.
• Removal of the respondent from the same residence as the complainant.
• Engaging with line managers together with Human Resources to inform a
respondent about an anonymous complaint and for appropriate
• interventions to be taken.
• Referral to internal and external support services.
• Provide legal advice on sexual and gender-related misconduct.

The psycho-social unit renders:

• Individual counselling for current gender-based harm related matters.
• Group debriefing for gender-related matters i.e. for a residence that has
experienced a gender-related matters.
• Support to staff and students who have experienced rape/sexual assault and
need to undergo Medico legal assessments and treatment.
• Facilitation of the Declaration of Relationships for staff members in romantic/
sexual relationships with other staff or postgraduate students.
• Gender sensitisation training for staff and students at risk of perpetrating
gender-based harm and those sanctioned by a hearing panel to undergo
the training.

Scan the QR code below to access the key policies related to the work done
by the GEO

Tel: 011 717 9790

Email: [email protected]
Website: www.wits.ac.za/student/geo

You can also reach out to us on social media:

Twitter: @WitsGEO Facebook: witsgeo

Instagram: witsgeo

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 59
 THE TRANSFORMATION AND
EMPLOYMENT EQUITY OFFICE (TEEO)

The mandate of Transformation Employment Equity Office (TEEO) is to drive

the University Transformation agenda. The office formulates institutional policy
related to transformation, amends and re-aligns existing policies, develops
and communicates university-wide interventions and develops the capacity
of staff and students. The TEEO also provides direct and indirect support to
Transformation Committees as well as to Deans and Heads of Schools, Senior
Directors and Directors and engages key stakeholders in the implementation of
transformation. Key policies relevant to the work of this office are: The Policy for
the prevention and eradication of Bullying; The Anti-Discrimination policy and
procedure; and the Employment Equity policy. Ultimately the aim of the office
is to ensure that the Wits experience is characterised by a recognition of human
rights and inclusivity.

Key programmes:
• Transformation
• Employment Equity and Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment
• Diversity, Ethics and Social Justice
• Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression and Sex Characteristics
(SOGIESC)
• Investigations and Mediation

Services offered:
•Mediation
•Avenues to report Bullying, Discrimination and concerns around
•Social Justice and diversity workshops, discussions and trainings
•Diversifying the academy grants
•Policy review, development and implementation
•Institutional Transformation strategy
•Overview and review of the Universities Transformation pillars

Investigations and Mediation

•Policy development Managing facilitated dialogues
•Mediation and mediation supervision Investigations
•Disciplinary process Stakeholder engagement

Employment Equity and BBBEE

The University is committed to the goals of the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998,
which was enacted inter alia to achieve equity by promoting equal opportunity
and fair treatment in employment through the elimination of unfair discrimination.
Implementing affirmative action measures to redress disadvantages in
employment as a result of past discrimination through apartheid. The University

60 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
Implementing affirmative action measures to redress disadvantages in
employment as a result of past discrimination through apartheid. The University
believes that the achievement of employment equity and diversity both
nationally and at an institutional level will contribute to the achievement of its
mission, vision and strategic objectives

Diversity, Ethics and Social Justice

• Coordinates and facilitates diversity, ethics and social justice projects of the
University together with other stakeholders Coordinates and facilitates diversity
awareness campaigns and advocacy.
• Provides advice and support to staff and students on issues of diversity, ethics
and social justice
• Facilitates the review, amendment and development of social justice
policies Partners and collaborates with Faculty/School/Support Department
Transformation Committees

SOGIESC

The SOGIESC Advocacy Coordinator of the TEEO facilitates the creation of safer
spaces for people at Wits who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender,
Intersex, Asexual,or any other sexual orientation and/or gender identity through:

Safe Zones@Wits: a training and advocacy programme offering anyone at Wits

the opportunity to participate in training to be a Safe Zone Ally. Allies serve as a
support and referral point for people of any sexual orientation or gender identity
seeking support. Allies are identifiable by their sticker and keyring, which carry
the Safe Zones logo. This programme also includes public lectures and other
interventions. In addition, it partners with student organisations and gender
activists to promote the welfare of LGBTIAQ+ identifying students and staff.

Investigations and Mediation

• Policy development Managing facilitated dialogues
• Mediation and mediation supervision Investigations
• Disciplinary process Stakeholder engagement

Please scan for more information about Transformation Office

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 61
 WITS ALUMNI OFFICE

Once you register as a student at Wits, you automatically become an alumnus

of the University and the University is known as your alma mater. As an alumnus,
you will be part of a global fraternity of Witsies.

Wits has produced over 200 000 graduates since its inception in 1922. These
alumni play an extremely important role in the University. They are the products
of the University and their success in their chosen careers is a reflection of the
education they received at Wits. Alumni are also the only stakeholder group that
have a lifelong interest in the success and reputation of the University as they rely
on the value and prestige of a Wits qualification to enhance their future career
prospects.

The Office of Alumni Relations is tasked with developing a mutually beneficial

relationship with alumni, creating opportunities for alumni to continue playing an
active role in the life of the University and for providing opportunities for alumni to
meet and socialise with each other.

The alumni organisation is structured into profession-based alumni associations,

a young alumni association for alumni aged 35 or younger, a founders group for
alumni who graduated 40 years ago or longer, sports clubs, and national and
international alumni chapters.

The Office of Alumni Relations is based in the Wits Club Complex at the Empire
Road end of West Campus (Next to Olives and Plates).

62 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
WITS. FOR GOOD

63
 RETAIL SERVICES
& TRANSPORT

64
 DINING HALL CATERING SERVICES

Dining Hall Catering unit renders catering services to students staying in Catered
and Non-Catered Residences. Main Dining Hall in East Campus and Highfield
Dining Hall in Parktown Education Campus are now open to all students and staff
for meals paid via card services. A wide range of menus, social activities, and
informal seating arrangements are some of the creative ways being introduced
to promote social engagements amongst students. Dining Hall Catering is
responsible for promoting the University’s “Eat Safe” objective.

Braamfontein Campus East

Jubilee Dining Hall
Main Dining Hall

Braamfontein Campus West

Convocation Dining Hall

Parktown Campus
Knockando Dining Hall
EOH Dining Hall

Education Campus
Highfield Dining Hall

Contact Details
Tel: 011 717 1795

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 65
 RETAIL OPERATIONS

Retail Operations is responsible for providing an assortment of retail options for

the University community. The Retail Operations Team liaises with the retail outlets
and various stakeholders to engage on matters affecting service delivery within
the Retail Section. Furthermore, Retail Operations ensures that the outlets are
well maintained with regards to grounds and facilities management.
To ensure an equal and fair opportunity to trade on campuses, a protocol is in
place for any prospective persons or supplier or business wishing to trade on
campus.

Contact Details
Tel: 011 717 1713
[email protected]

RETAIL OUTLETS ON CAMPUS

BRAAMFONTEIN CAMPUS EAST
• Vida E on Amic Deck
• FoodArt @ Origins Centre
• Post Graduate Club
• Planet Savvy in Solomon Mahlangu House
• Tubatsi @ OLS steps
• Vida E @ Wits Art Museum
MATRIX : BRAAMFONTEIN CAMPUS EAST
• ABSA ATM
• FNB ATM
• Nedbank ATM

66 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
• Standard Bank ATM
• Kara Nichhas (vegetarian food)
• Jimmy’s Express (Halaal food)
• Delhi Delicious (Halaal food)
• Student Corner (Halaal food and grocery store)
• Sausage Saloon (food)
• Chinese Lantern (food)
• Sausage Saloon (food)
• Love & Light (food)
• The Sweet Park
• Jetline
• Wits Stationers
• Takealot
• The Sweet Park
• IH Pentz Bookstore
• 1st Floor: Van Schaik Book Store
• PPS
• Takealot
• Zaza Clothing Thrift Store
• Dipontsho – Tailor & Dry Cleaning
• ZA Cellular
• Drivio Driving School
• Pink-me-up Nail Salon
• Matrix Optometrist
• Fresher Breath Dentist
• Fade Barbershop
• Dining Hall (open for walk-ins).

BRAAMFONTEIN CAMPUS WEST

• Wits Club Restaurant and Conference Centre
• Jimmy’s Express (Halaal food)
• Maphelo (Tower of Light)
• Zesti Lemonz
• Gourmet Food Services at Sturrock Park conference centre

PARKTOWN EDUCATION CAMPUS

• 27degrees @ Linder Auditorium
• 27degrees @ Parktown Health Sciences Campus
• Olives & Plates (Halaal options)

PARKTOWN MANAGEMENT CAMPUS

• Olives & Plates Restaurant

PARKTOWN HEALTH SCIENCES CAMPUS

• Olives & Plates Restaurant
• Jimmy’s (Halaal food)
THERE ARE VENDING MACHINES ON ALL CAMPUSES

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 67
 TRANSPORT AND FLEET MANAGEMENT

Intercampus Bus Services Fleet Management Commercial

Transport and Fleet Management Section is an operational and administrative

portfolio within Services Department offering fleet management, student
transport, ad hoc and commercial transport services to the University
Community.

The services that the section provides to the broader university community are
as follows:

Bus Service: responsible for provision of student transport across the University
campuses and residences in Braamfontein and Parktown. The Sub-unit also
provides hospital bus service for the Faculty of Health Sciences students who
travel to selected clinical training sites within Gauteng Province.

Fieldtrips/Ad hoc/Commercial Transport: hires out passenger vehicles, golf

carts to the University departments/schools. The Sub-unit also runs the carwash,
Gautrain Park station and Rosebank Shuttle for staff and students

Fleet Management: Offers comprehensive fleet management services to the

University departments/schools that use the University vehicles.

Contact Details
Tel: 011 717 1794/1754/6769

Services department contact information:

Tel: 011 717 1705

Email: [email protected]
Address: Facilities & Services Building, Ground Floor,
Braamfontein Campus West
X (Twitter): @WitsServices

68 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
A STUDENT TODAY, A WITSIE FOR LIFE!

69
 FACULTIES

70
 FACULTIES

The five faculties represented by the University are:

• The Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management

• The Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment

• The Faculty of Health Sciences

• The Faculty of Humanities

• The Faculty of Science

All faculties offer immense academic support and other co-curricular

development programmes catered to providing you with holistic support in
aiding academic success in your new found environment.

Be sure to familiarise yourself with all support structures available in your specific
faculties outside of the various support programmes the University generally
provides you with.

REMEMBER, MOST FACULTIES PROVIDE BOTH SIMILAR PROGRAMMES AND

CROSS-FACULTY PROGRAMMES AIMED AT EQUIPPING YOU WITH THE NECESSARY
INFORMATION AND SKILL-SET NEEDED IN SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING YOUR FIRST
YEAR. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO READ ACROSS ALL FACULTIES FOR
YOUR OWN BENEFIT.

WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO READ ACROSS ALL FACULTIES FOR YOUR OWN BENEFIT!!

Let’s go…

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 71
 FACULTY OF COMMERCE, LAW
AND MANAGEMENT
The Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management prides itself in providing
various academic, co-curricular and support programmes in ensuring success
within your new found environment.

Learning Materials

Students are reminded that textbooks are only one source of material and that
they should not only rely on these to study from. Students may be examined
on material not found in textbooks. Notes provided by instructors should not be
regarded as exhaustive or as a substitute for lecture attendance. Students are
encouraged to make their own notes in class as what is said during lectures also
form part of the examinable content of the course.

Contact Details

Undergraduate Enquiries

Faculty Registrar Ms Marike Bosman [email protected]

Deputy Faculty Registrar Ms Estelle Nobin [email protected]
Senior Faculty Officer

BCom (General) Ms Imelda Jacobs [email protected]

BCom (Accounting)
Faculty Officer
[email protected]
Bachelor of Accounting Ms Sarafina Mohlokoane
Science, Bachelor of
Economic Science
Faculty Officer (LLB) Ms Thandi Musetha [email protected]
Faculty Administrative [email protected]
Mr Tshepo Mohlokoane
Officer (LLB)
Faculty Administrative
Assistant BCom
(Information Systems) [email protected]
BCom (PPE) Ms Matshidiso Gumede

BCom (Law)
Faculty Administrative [email protected]
Assistant (Occasional Ms Ruth Senamela
Studies)
Reception Ms Susie Maluleke [email protected]
Road to Success [email protected]
Ms Tshepiso Maleswena
Programme [email protected]

72 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
Location of Schools within the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management

School Location, Building Web Address

FNB Building
Accountancy www.wits.ac.za/accountancy
(West Campus)
NCB Building
Economic and
www.wits.ac.za/sebs
Business Sciences
(West Campus)

Oliver Schreiner
Law www.wits.ac.za/law
Building (West Campus)

The Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management boasts many support

programmes which facilitate holistic academic and extra-curricular support.
Apart from the academic programme, these are the following support
programmes on offer:
STUDENTS AT RISK
Students at risk represent two groups:

• Students who have been readmitted through the Wits Readmission

Committee (WRC).

• Students who (as indicated through their results in tests and other assessment
tasks) are performing poorly and are therefore at risk of being excluded at
year-end (see clause four for more information in this regard).
For students at risk, the CLM Faculty provides the Road To Success
Programme. The various programmes cater for students who are struggling
academically to help ensure they successfully pass the academic year.

REMEMBER, THE ONUS IS ON YOU TO SEEK HELP!!! DON’T WAIT TILL IT’S TOO
LATE BEFORE SEEKING HELP AND SUPPORT ACADEMICALLY!!!

For enquiries, contact the following persons:

Tshepiso Maleswana: [email protected]
Danie De Klerk: [email protected]

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 73
 FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND
THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
The Faculty of Engineering & the Built-Environment (EBE) spans across East and
West campuses, consisting of seven Schools with the Deanery and the Faculty
Registry located on Braamfontein Campus West, at the WITS Africa Rainbow
Minerals (ARM).

School Locations
• Schools of Mining Engineering and Electrical & Information Engineering are
housed at the WITS Africa Rainbow Minerals (ARM)building
• Schools of Architecture & Planning located at the old John Moffat Building
• Construction Economics & Management at the new John Moffat Building
• Civil & Environmental Engineering at Hillman Building
• Chemical & Metallurgical Engineering at the Richard Ward Building
• School of Mechanical, Industrial & Aeronautical Engineering at the South
West Engineering Building

The Academic Development Unit

The Academic Development Unit (ADU) is a student support unit aimed at
identifying and preventing students from being at risk of academic failure.
It can be found on the 3rd floor of the Africa Rainbow Minerals (ARM), while
the Student Support Centre is located on the Upper Ground Floor. The ADU
is a close-knit group of individuals who, through combining their various gifts
and talents, are passionate about assisting students in the Faculty to realise
their full potential. Given that our students begin their academic journeys from
various starting points, one of its main roles is creating an integrated academic
environment that is accessible to all, where all students, despite their various
ethnic, religious, socio- economic, psycho-social and academic backgrounds,
can thrive and achieve their personal and academic goals and aspirations.

Students are supported with the aim of achieving their full academic potential
in several ways, some of which include:
• Free support tutorials that run throughout the year for discipline-specific
subjects that have historically proven challenging for students
• Free language development sessions to improve student reading and writing
• Advice and guidance on financial support for school fees and
accommodation as well as putting students in touch with people that can
help them
• Loaning out of textbooks and other academic resources
• First Year Tuesday Support Sessions
• Wellness and Counselling Services
• Engineering & the Built Environment Inclusive, Leadership in Advocacy and
Development (EBEILAD)
• Academic advice on personal matters or anything that might be interfering
with your studies in terms of coping mechanisms i.e. time management,
effective study skills, exam etiquette, industry prep- how to create balance

74 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
between studies and social life on campus

REMEMBER! KHUMBULA! HOPOLA! ONTHOU!

A student can contact the ADU in any of the following ways:

• Visit our offices at the 3rd Floor of the Chamber of Mines Building,
• Visit the Student Support Centre on the Upper Ground Floor in the Chamber
of Mines,
• ADU Email: [email protected]
• Main Office Lines: 011 717 7062 or 011 717 7174

You are not alone on this journey!

Call on the ADU Awunedwa kulolu hambo!
Shayela ku-ADU Ha u mong leetong lena!

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 75
 FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES

The Faculty of Health Sciences provides a myriad of support programmes which

cater to students of all health-related disciplines in ensuring academic success
throughout the duration of your degree.

There are a few important things you have to note. Make sure to read and
understand what is expected of you as a Health Sciences student.

Important requirements that must be met by all first-year students:

Students are advised to take note that first year lecturing for the Faculty
of Health Sciences occurs across more than one campus for a number of
disciplines

Parktown (Education / Medical School) and Braamfontein campuses. It

is important for students to review their first-year timetables, first lecture
information and course coordinator details as posted on the Health Sciences
website. (https://www.wits.ac.za/health/faculty-services/staff-and-student-
downloads/)

First Aid and Computer Literacy

(Rule M4 – Faculty of Health Sciences Rules and Syllabuses book)

All first-year students are expected to complete a First Aid course and undergo
a Computer Literacy assessment. Further details are available on the Health
Sciences website https://www.wits.ac.za/health/faculty-services/staff-and-
student-downloads/)NB. These requirements should be adhered to in the first
year of study. Non- compliance will result in the withholding of results.

Vaccination

All students must be vaccinated against Hepatitis B and Mumps, Measles &
Rubella. Students will be provided with

Communication Channels

First year coordinators are there to help you. Should you be experiencing
difficulties in any areas of your student/academic life, do not hesitate to
contact them for guidance and assistance.
www.wits.ac.za/health

76 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
 Degree First Year Coordinator Degree First Year Coordinator

Ms Tumi Msimang Ms Rubina Shaikh

BCMP BPharm
[email protected] [email protected]

Ms Faye Sinnett
[email protected]
Ms Nabeelah Bemath
BHSc BSc OT
[email protected] Itumeleng Tsatsi-Mosala
Itumeleng.Tsatsi-mosala@wits.
ac.za
BHSc
Ms Nabeelah Bemath Ms Faye Sinnett
Biomed Biokenetics
[email protected] [email protected]
Sciences

BSc Ms Sandy Lord Nelisa Makubalo

BDS
Physio [email protected] [email protected]

BHSc Malebo Mothupi

Health Ms Nabeelah Bemath [email protected]
BOHSc
Systems [email protected] Lorraine Molopyane
Science [email protected])

Mr. Edgar Phukubje

MBBCh
[email protected]

Faculty Registrar’s Office: Your Administrative Hub

The Faculty Registrar’s Office plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth
functioning of your academic journey. As a first-year student, this office will
be one of your key points of contact for a wide range of administrative and
academic processes. Below are the main services and support they provide:

Key Functions of the Faculty Registrar’s Office

1. Registration and Enrollment:

a. Assists students with the registration process each year.

b. Ensures your enrollment is processed correctly, granting you access to your

courses and learning platforms.

2. Academic Records and Documentation:

a. Maintains your academic records, including transcripts and registration

status.

b. Provides certified documentation, such as proof of registration and

academic transcripts, when required.

3. Course Changes and Academic Queries:

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 77
 a. Processes changes to your course selections or degree program (within
stipulated deadlines).

b. Answers questions about curriculum requirements, academic rules, and

faculty policies.

4. Examinations and Results:

a. Coordinates the administration of assessments, including scheduling and

room allocations.

b. Publishes final results and handles queries about academic standings or

progress.

5. Leave of Absence and Withdrawals:

a. Guides students through applications for leave of absence or withdrawal

from courses or the program.

6. Graduation Support:

a. Assists final-year students with the graduation process, ensuring all

academic and administrative requirements are met.

How to Access the Faculty Registrar’s Office

• Location: 2nd Floor Phillip V Tobias Health Sciences Building, Parktown North

• Operating Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

• Contact Information:

Faculty Registrar: Sandra Munesar – [email protected]

Deputy Faculty Registrar: Henda Van Der Walt – [email protected]

Phone: 011 717 2006

Website: www.wits.ac.za/health/

Please find below the website link where important documents are posted by
the Faculty of Health Sciences.

www.wits.ac.za/health/faculty-services/staff-and-student-downloads

Medical Emergency

Call Protection Services immediately.

Tel: 011 717 4444/6666

Campus Health and Wellness Centre:

Tel: 011 717 9111/9113

78 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
Office of Student Support (OSS)

The Office of Student Success advocates for the mental health, holistic
development, and support of Health Science students towards their academic
success. Services offered by the OSS:

Academic Advising
Advisors tailor instructional strategies, provide targeted interventions and foster
personalized learning experiences

Learning Support Cluster Sessions

These sessions play a pivotal role in motivating and guiding students who are
remediating and completing failed courses. These sessions are designed to
provide targeted assistance and personalized guidance to help students
overcome academic challenges, build confidence, and achieve success in
their coursework.

Mentoring
FYE Peer Mentoring is a university-wide programme that aims to support first
year students to transition from high school to university life. It provides relevant
resources to navigate academic studies and the campus environment.

Brotherhood MENtoring connects male students with positive male role models
in the faculty who can inspire and motivate them to reach their full potential.
It inspires and supports senior male students by fostering personal growth, self-
awareness, resilience and emotional intelligence. It provides guidance , builds
character and cultivates qualities that instill integrity, accountability and ethical
behavior, thus emphasizing the importance of respect in professional and
personal relationships and the broader society

Life Skills Development

Empowers the individual student with practical life skills necessary for personal
growth, resilience, and academic success. These sessions help students to
navigate daily study challenges effectively, make informed decisions, and deal
with procrastination, heavy workloads, and poor planning, amongst others.

Learning Skills Development

These skills, namely: Study strategies, clinical reasoning skills, as well as
academic reading and writing skills, foster academic excellence and
professional competence.

Guidance for Tests & Exams

These skills, namely: Study strategies, clinical reasoning skills, as well as
academic reading and writing skills, foster academic excellence and
professional competence.

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 79
 Guidance for Tests & Exams
These skills, namely: Study strategies, clinical reasoning skills, as well as
academic reading and writing skills, foster academic excellence and
professional competence.

Gaming Transition
Using the Wits Success Prints Crash Course Board gameplay to enhance
learning skills and navigational skills and raise awareness of campus resources
and support services.

Health Science Student Success Zone (HSSSZ)

An OSS platform on Ulwazi that offers first year Health Science students’
additional asynchronous sessions, orientation and learning support resources.

Psychosocial Support
OSS offers Health Science students free, safe, and CONFIDENTIAL counselling.
This support ensures that students are psychologically and emotionally well
and able to meet their daily academic demands as well as cope with their
interpersonal and intrapersonal challenges.
Mental Health practitioners therefore provide:

Individual Counselling
A caring space where students can talk about their concerns and challenges.

Crisis Management
A containment session for students who may require urgent psychological
assistance,hospitalization, and referral, due to suicide ideation.

Debriefing
Regular or adhoc debriefing sessions are provided for students who experience
a traumatic event, or extreme stressful situation, such as a robbery or loss of a
loved one, peer and/or friend.

Support Groups
A safe space where a small group of students who share similar challenges
meet regularly to discuss their experiences and gain coping strategies.

Mental Health Advocacy

These interventions promote the psychosocial learning, mental health, and life
skills development of students.

Psycho-Educational Workshops
The OSS implements several presentations and workshops for students on a
range of psychoeducational topics. Workshops are interactive and experiential
and focus on identified themes to instill awareness, and psychological
development, as well as encourage discussion and reflection.

80 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
 Wellness Campaigns
Many innovative activities, dialogues and video recordings are shared
with students to alleviate stress and anxiety and create awareness on the
importance of self-care and holistic wellness.

OSS Ukuthula App

This app creates awareness on the importance of mental health and offers
students various coping skills for academic and emotional wellbeing.

Umsebenzi
This project assists HS students transition into the workplace by equipping them
with job search skills, and enhances their professionalism through the facilitation
of skills workshops. OSS collaborates with various companies to increase
the employability of HS graduates through career exhibitions and a career
directory.

#MakeaDifference
This project caters for students who are impacted by their financial and
socioeconomic circumstances, which result in their basic needs not being
met, among these, the need for food security, hygiene, and personal care.
Recipients are students who have no bursary or financial support from sponsors
such as NSFAS. The OSS provides care kits (a toiletry and food pack) and
facilitates quarterly empowerment workshops and activities for this student
cohort. To donate to this worthy cause, email makeadifference.health@wits.
ac.za

Where to find us
Office of Student Success
PVT Building 1st Floor
29 Princess of Wales Street
Parktown
Tel: 0117172565
Email: [email protected]
OSS Instagram: @office_of_student_success
OSS Facebook: @FHSOSS

www.wits.ac.za/health/faculty-services/office-of-student-success

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 81
 Useful information as a 1st Year Health Sciences Student.

Please find below the website link where important documents are posted by
the Faculty of Health Sciences.

www.wits.ac.za/health/faculty-services/staff-and-student-downloads

Medical Emergency

Call Protection Services immediately.

Tel: 011 717 4444/6666

Campus Health and Wellness Centre:

Tel: 011 717 9111/9113

82 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
 FACULTY OF HUMANITIES
The Faculty of Humanities regards academic advising as a continuous
teaching and learning process aimed at improving student success by actively
addressing multifaceted barriers to academic achievement. It is considered a
high-impact practice that guides students in navigating the higher education
system, supporting them in defining their personal, academic, and career
aspirations, and identifying the appropriate pathways to achieve these goals.
The primary focus of academic advising is graduation, with the responsibility for
this journey shared collectively between the student, lecturers, and academic
advisors.

The Faculty of Humanities Teaching & Learning Unit provides academic

advising services for all undergraduate students including:

• Curriculum planning;

• Developing academic literacies (learning skills) for university success;

• Psychosocial support focusing on mental health and socio-economic factors;

and

• Career counselling.

Important Information for all 1st year students

The Language Policy: A BA General student is required to complete two

semester courses in one of the following languages: isiZulu or Sesotho or South
African Sign Language (SASL).

Curriculum Planning: Before registering for a degree in the faculty, students are
required to plan their degree curriculum. In the first year of registration students
will be assisted by curriculum advisors before they register. In subsequent years
of registration, if students deviate from their original curriculum plan, they should
seek help of a curriculum advisor before registration.

Student support enquiries for the Faculty of Humanities should be directed to the
Teaching and Learning Unit:
Staff Names Position Email Address

Dr Lindiwe Tshuma Academic Advising [email protected]

Anele Siswana Psychosocial Support [email protected]

Student Support Online Support [email protected]

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 83
 Undergraduate enquiries for the Faculty of Humanities should be directed to the
following:
Staff Names Position Email Address

Ms Bonisiwe Mokhabuki BA General [email protected]

Mr Maropeng Maake BA (with Law Major) [email protected]

Bachelor of Social
Work, Bachelor of
Audiology and Bachelor
of Speech-Language
Pathology, Bachelor of
Ms Genevieve Kamfer Digital Arts, Bachelor [email protected]
of Film and Television,
Bachelor of Fine Arts,
Bachelor of Music and
Bachelor of Theatre and
Performance

Part-Time: BA General
Mr Thomas Tshikovha [email protected]
and BA (with Law Major)

Ms Faith Herbert Bachelor of Education [email protected]

Ms Ayanda Zwane Bachelor of Education [email protected]

Postgraduate Certificate
Ms Janet Ditlopo [email protected]
in Education (PGCE)

Faculty of Humanities offices and working hours:

Braamfontein East Campus, South-West Engineering Building, Ground Floor

Wits Education Campus, Administrative Building

Working Hours: 08h00 to 16h30 Monday to Friday.

SHAPING MINDS! CULTIVATING CHANGE!

84 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
 FACULTY OF SCIENCE
Promoting Excellence in Science Teaching & Learning

The Science Teaching and Learning Unit (STLU) is dedicated to fostering

an environment that promotes academic excellence and holistic student
development. The mission of the unit is to provide students with the tools and
resources they need to succeed academically while also supporting their personal
growth. This is achieved through a range of targeted programs, workshops, and
individual support sessions designed to enhance student learning experiences.

The STLU is invested in student success by offering skills workshops that address
key areas such as academic writing, critical thinking, study techniques, time
management, and stress management. These workshops are aimed at equipping
students with practical skills that can help them navigate their academic
journey more effectively, particularly as they approach exams or challenging
assessments.

Students are encouraged to engage with the STLU staff members throughout their
academic careers. The unit provides a space where they can seek guidance on
specific academic challenges, participate in peer-assisted learning programs,
or attend one-on-one consultations for personalized advice. The overall goal is
to empower students, particularly those who may be at risk, to reach their full
potential through tailored academic support and skill development programs.

Contact with the STLU Team

Dr Ashwin Javdah - Academic Advisor

Mrs Nompumelelo Bhengu-Schmitz - Academic Advisor

Find us at the TW Kambule Mathematics Building Ground Floor

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 85
 For any Administrative Enquires, please connect with the Faculty Office
Staff Names Position Email Address

Valerie John Faculty Registrar [email protected]

Senior Faculty Officer

Leeshia Roopnarain [email protected]
(PG)

Senior Faculty Officer

Mpumi Mnqapu [email protected]
(PG)

Senior Faculty Officer

Botlhale Thupudi [email protected]
(PG)

Senior Faculty Officer

Nadia Smith [email protected]
(UG)

Senior Faculty Officer

Nokwazi Maseko [email protected]
(UG)

Senior Faculty Officer

Melanie van Wyk [email protected]
(UG)

Bridget Marvis Administrative Secretary [email protected]

Office Administrator
Neliswa Sithole [email protected]
(Reception)

For more information on what the Faculty of Science offers in terms of the
academic programme, choices and support programmes, please visit

www.wits.ac.za/science

YOUR SUCCESS IS OUR GOAL!

86 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
 WITS WRITING AND READING PROGRAMME

Welcome to the Wits Writing and Reading Programme.

Need help with your writing?

Want to think through your thoughts with someone, join a writing group, browse
the John Bell writing library, or simply read and write in a comfortable space?

We begin from the premise that writing is thinking, and so we are open to
anyone in the university who wants to immerse themselves in their writing and
write more effectively. We work across disciplines, with undergraduates,
postgraduates and staff. And because we think that if you enjoy reading your
writing will improve, we also offer a lending library of novels and poetry.

Feel free to visit the Wits Writing and Reading Programme on the ground floor
of Wartenweiler Library to learn more, or contact us via email:
[email protected]

Also find writing resources on Ulwazi, please use this link to self-enrol:
https://ulwazi.wits.ac.za/enroll/RY64HX

Further, find information about upcoming events on the Wits Writing Centre FB
group page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/386585518711

The centre atWartenweiler Library is the physical resource of the programme,

available for consultations, group work, writing and reading, and literary and
scholarly events.

The programme also includes over 40 Writing Intensive courses across

the university which use writing as the vehicle of learning within a discipline.

These courses are supported by over 400 Writing Fellow tutors who work with
the WI lecturer to enable all students to practice and improve their writing,
reading and thinking within a course.

Come write, and see what we are up to.

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 87
 REFERENCING: WHAT TO KNOW
Referencing
An important tool to utilise at university is the “acknowledgement of authors” and
“writers”, by citing the information you provide in your school assignments. There
are two main ways of referencing and citation styles, mainly in-text referencing
(which is used when directly quoting or paraphrasing a source) and reference
list/citation list, which is a list of all references and citations used in your academic
document often placed in an alphabetic styled list at the end of your document.

There are many different referencing styles which you have to know, which
include but are not limited to:

• APA (American Psychological Association) Styled Referencing

• MLA (Modern Language Association) Styled Referencing
• Oxford Styled Referencing
• Harvard Styled Referencing
• Chicago Styled Referencing

How to Reference
The Wits Library website provides a detailed and thorough explanation of
referencing styles and how to properly reference and acknowledge a source.

FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW AND AID YOURSELF IN BETTERING YOUR REFERENCING
SKILLS:

https://libguides.wits.ac.za/plagiarism_citation_and_referencing/
ReferencingStyles

Acquaint yourself with the format as per your school’s academic requirements.

REMEMBER, NOT ACKNOWLEDGING OR PROPER REFERENCING A SOURCE OF

INFORMATION IS ACADEMIC FRAUD!!!

Take note of any faculty/school programmes which will guide you and help you
master your referencing skills!!!

Plagiarism

Plagiarism can be defined in four ways, namely:

• To steal and pass off another individual/sources idea as one’s own without
acknowledgement of the source
• To use another’s production without crediting the source where it was retrieved
from
• To commit literary fraud and theft
• To present one’s ideas and thoughts as new and original even though they
have been taken from an existing source or person.

88 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
There are four types of plagiarism, mainly:

• Direct Plagiarism is the word-for-word transcription of a section of someone

else’s work, without attribution; quotation marks or general citation and
acknowledgement
• Self-Plagiarism is the use of one’s own previous work in another context without
citing that it was used previously
• Mosaic Plagiarism occurs when an individual borrows phrases from a source
without using quotation marks, or finds synonyms for the author’s language
while keeping to the same general language structure and meaning as found
in the original
• Accidental Plagiarism occurs when an individual neglects to cite their sources,
or misquotes their sources, or unintentionally paraphrases a source by using
similar words, groups of words, and/or sentence structure without attribution

The University makes use of anti-plagiarism detection software called Turnitin.

This software tool checks submitted documents against its database and the
content of other websites with the aim of identifying plagiarism.

ALL ASSIGNMENTS AND WRITTEN WORK ARE SUBMITTED THROUGH TURNITIN BY THE
UNIVERSITY TO DETECT PLAGIARISM.

Check with your school and faculty what the acceptable plagiarism percentage
is before formally submitting your assignments. Failure to do so can result in
disciplinary hearings, suspension and expulsion from the University!

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 89
 WITS STUDENT CRISIS LINE
0800 111 331
24/7 TOLL FREE

NEED HELP?
ON CAMPUS SUPPORT
Counselling & Careers (011) 717 9140
Development Unit (CCDU) Available 08h00-16h30 Mon-Fri
Braamfontein Campus West and Marang Block, M14 Ground Floor, Wits
Education Campus

Campus Health & Wellness Centre (CHWC)

(011) 717 9111
The Matrix
Available 08h00-16h30 Mon-Fri
Braamfontein Campus East

Office of Student Success (011) 717 2565

Phillip Tobias Building 1st Floor, Parktown Available 08h00-16h30 Mon-Fri

Disability Rights Unit

First Floor, Solomon Mahlangu House, Braamfontein Campus East and (011) 717 9152 / 9154
First Floor, Administration Block, Available 08h00-16h30 Mon-Fri
Wits Education Campus, Parktown

Gender Equity Office (GEO) (011) 717 9790

20th Floor, Es’kia Mphahlele
Available 08h00-16h30 Mon-Fri
Building, Braamfontein Campus East

Emthonjeni Centre (011) 717 4513

Braamfontein Campus East Available 08h00-16h30 Mon-Fri

(011) 717 4444 / 6666

Braamfontein Campus

Wits Protection Services (011) 717 2222 / 2232

Health Sciences & Ed Campuses

(011) 717 3589

Wits Business School

90 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
 AN EXCELLENT UNIVERSITY

The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits University)

is a leading African university ranked in the top
1.5% of universities in the world.

WITS. FOR GOOD

Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 9191
 VENUES AND BUILDINGS
Got a lecture venue but don’t know where the building is? Then use this table
below:

TEACHING SLOT/DIAGONAL
PERIOD 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
8:00 - 9:00 - 10:15 - 11:15 - 12:30 - 14:15 - 15:15 - 16:15 -
TIME
8:45 9:45 11:00 12:00 13:15 15:00 16:00 17:00

MON A A E E D C C C

LUNCH
BREAK

BREAK
TUE B B A A E D D D

WED C C B B A E E E

THU D D C C B A A A

FRI E E D D C B B B

Venue Venue
Building Building
Name Name
A1 John Moffat CB129 Robert Sobukwe, 1st floor
A2 John Moffat CB142 Robert Sobukwe, 1st floor
A3 John Moffat CB149 Robert Sobukwe, 1st floor
B111 Biology CB15 Robert Sobukwe Ground floor
B121 Biology CB215 Robert Sobukwe, 2nd floor
B14 Biology CB216A Robert Sobukwe, 2nd floor
BP003 Bernard Price CB223 Robert Sobukwe, 2nd floor
BP016 Bernard Price CB226 Robert Sobukwe, 2nd floor
C312 Humphrey Raikes CB227 Robert Sobukwe, 2nd floor
C6 Humphrey Raikes CB228 Robert Sobukwe, 2nd floor
C9 Humphrey Raikes CB230 Robert Sobukwe, 2nd floor
CB117 Robert Sobukwe, 1st floor
CB231 Robert Sobukwe, 2nd floor
CB127 Robert Sobukwe, 1st floor CLM38 CLM
CB128 Robert Sobukwe, 1st floor
CB241 Robert Sobukwe, 2nd floor

92 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
 Venue Venue
Building Building
Name Name
CB246 Robert Sobukwe, 2nd floor FNB123 First National Bank Building
CB253 Robert Sobukwe, 2nd floor FNB125 First National Bank Building
CB256 Robert Sobukwe, 2nd floor FNB131 First National Bank Building
CB38 Robert Sobukwe, Ground FNB132 First National Bank Building
floor FNB148 First National Bank Building
CB41 Robert Sobukwe, Ground FNB149 First National Bank Building
floor
FNB150 First National Bank Building
CB47 Robert Sobukwe, Ground
FNB151 First National Bank Building
floor
CBEH Robert Sobukwe, 2nd floor FNB153 First National Bank Building
CLM102 CLM FNB157 First National Bank Building
CLM24 CLM FNB159 First National Bank Building
CLM25 CLM FNB161 First National Bank Building
CLM26 CLM FNB33 First National Bank Building
CLM38 CLM FNB35 First National Bank Building
CM1 CoM (WITS ARM Building) FNB36 First National Bank Building
(WAB1)
FNB37 First National Bank Building
CM2 CoM (WITS ARM Building)
(WAB2) FNB40 First National Bank Building
CM4 CoM (WITS ARM Building)
FNB45 First National Bank Building
(WAB4)
CM5 CoM (WITS ARM Building) FNB47 First National Bank Building
(WAB5) FNB5 First National Bank Building
DJ DJ Du Plessie
FNBBA First National Bank Building
EXAM
HALL FNBGA First National Bank Building
FLOWER Flower Hall G101 Geo Sciences Building
HALL
G201 Geo Sciences Building
FNB101 First National Bank

FNB102 First National Bank G202 Geo Sciences Building

GH301 Gate House Building
FNB103 First National Bank
GH403 Gate House Building
FNB113 First National Bank
GH600 Gate House Building
FNB115 First National Bank

FNB119 First National Bank GHLG2 Gate House Building

GLT Geo Sciences Building
FNB121 First National Bank Building

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 93
 Venue Venue
Building Building
Name Name
H208 Hillman Building OLS4 Oppenheimer Life Sciences
LB143 Law Building OLS5 Oppenheimer Life Sciences
LB144 Law Building OLS6 Oppenheimer Life Sciences
LB145 Law Building OLS7 Oppenheimer Life Sciences
LB146 Law Building OLS8 Oppenheimer Life Sciences
LB54 Law Building OLS9 Oppenheimer Life Sciences
LB55 Law Building P114 Physics Building
MPB1 DJ Du Plessie Building P115 Physics Building

MPB2 DJ Du Plessie Building P216 Physics Building

MPB4 DJ Du Plessie Building RW4 Richard Ward

MPT DJ Du Plessie Building RW5 Richard Ward

NCB New Commerce Building SH1125 Solomon Mahlangu House

FOYER PG 1st floor
NCB1 New Commerce Building SH1126 Solomon Mahlangu House
PG 1st floor Purple Room
NCB143 New Commerce Building
SH1127 Solomon Mahlangu House
NCB144 New Commerce Building PG 1st floor
NCB148 New Commerce Building Solomon Mahlangu House
SH2114
2nd floor
NCB149 New Commerce Building
Solomon Mahlangu House
SH2115
NCB150 New Commerce Building 2nd floor

NCB151 New Commerce Building Solomon Mahlangu House

SH2116
2nd Floor
NCB2 New Commerce Building Solomon Mahlangu House
SH2143
2nd floor
NCB3 New Commerce Building
Solomon Mahlangu House
SH3103
NCB4 New Commerce Building 3rd floor

OGS1 Old Grand Stand Building Solomon Mahlangu House

SH3104
3rd floor
OGS2 Old Grand Stand Building Solomon Mahlangu House
SH3105
3rd floor
OGS3 Old Grand Stand Building
Solomon Mahlangu House
OGS4 Old Grand Stand Building SH3113
3rd floor
OLS1 Oppenheimer Life Sciences Solomon Mahlangu House
SH3118
3rd floor
OLS2 Oppenheimer Life Sciences
Solomon Mahlangu House
SH3120A
3rd floor
OLS3 Oppenheimer Life Sciences
Solomon Mahlangu House
SH3120C
3rd floor

94 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
 Venue Venue
Building Building
Name Name
Solomon Mahlangu House WEC - A308 WEC Administration Block
SH3120D
3rd floor
WEC - A404 WEC Administration Block
SH3123 Solomon Mahlangu House
WEC - B10 WEC Bohlaleng Block
PG 3rd floor
WEC - B108 WEC Bohlaleng Block
Solomon Mahlangu House
SH3124 WEC - B110 WEC Bohlaleng Block
3rd floor
Solomon Mahlangu House WEC - B112 WEC Bohlaleng Block
SH6
Ground floor WEC - B12 WEC Bohlaleng Block
SHB1 Solomon Mahlangu House B1 WEC - B150 WEC Bohlaleng Block
SHB2 Solomon Mahlangu House B1 WEC - B151 WEC Bohlaleng Block
SHB3 Solomon Mahlangu House B1
WEC - B203 WEC Bohlaleng Block
SHB4 Solomon Mahlangu House B1
WEC - B208 WEC Bohlaleng Block
SHB5 Solomon Mahlangu House B1
WEC - B210 WEC Bohlaleng Block
SHBA Solomon Mahlangu House B1
WEC - B213 WEC Bohlaleng Block
SHBB Solomon Mahlangu House B1
WEC - B244 WEC Bohlaleng Block
SHBC Solomon Mahlangu House B1
WEC - B246 WEC Bohlaleng Block
SHWWDH Solomon Mahlangu House B1
WEC - B249 WEC Bohlaleng Block
U1 Umthombo
WEC - B250 WEC Bohlaleng Block
U10 Umthombo
WEC - B251 WEC Bohlaleng Block
U11 Umthombo
WEC - B45 WEC Bohlaleng Block
U2 Umthombo
WEC - B46 WEC Bohlaleng Block
U3 Umthombo
WEC - B47 WEC Bohlaleng Block
U4 Umthombo
WEC - B48 WEC Bohlaleng Block
U5 Umthombo
WEC - B7 WEC Bohlaleng Block
U6 Umthombo
WEC - BU229 WEC Bohlaleng Block
U7 Umthombo
WEC - BU240 WEC Bohlaleng Block
U8 Umthombo
WEC - CC101 WEC Campus Centre
U9 Umthombo
WEC - CC102 WEC Campus Centre
Wartenweiler Library
WB2
Basement WEC - CC103 WEC Campus Centre
WEC -
WEC Administration Block WEC - CC104 WEC Campus Centre
A305
WEC - WEC - CE02 WEC Khanya Block
WEC Administration Block
A307

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 95
 Venue Venue Name Building
Building
Name WEC - L63 WEC Leseding Block
WEC - CE08 WEC Khanya Block WEC - L64 WEC Leseding Block
WEC - CE50 WEC Khanya Block WEC - LINDER WEC LINDER
WEC - EXAM AUD AUDITORIUM
WEC EXAM HALL
HALL WEC - LL33 WEC Leseding Block
WEC - L001 WEC Leseding Block WEC - LL46 WEC Leseding Block
WEC - L002 WEC Leseding Block WEC - LU229 WEC Leseding Block
WEC - L101 WEC Leseding Block WEC - LU240 WEC Leseding Block
WEC - L114 WEC Leseding Block WEC - M15 WEC Marang Block
WEC - L116 WEC Leseding Block
WEC - M151 WEC Marang Block
WEC - L118 WEC Leseding Block
WEC - M255 WEC Marang Block
WEC - L119 WEC Leseding Block
WEC - M4 WEC Marang Block
WEC - L146 WEC Leseding Block
WEC - M61 WEC Marang Block
WEC - L147 WEC Leseding Block
WEC - M78 WEC Marang Block
WEC - L148 WEC Leseding Block
WEC - M79 WEC Marang Block
WEC - L150 WEC Leseding Block
WEC - M80 WEC Marang Block
WEC - L151 WEC Leseding Block
WEC - M81 WEC Marang Block
WEC - L154 WEC Leseding Block
WEC - M9 WEC Marang Block
WEC - L16 WEC Leseding Block
WEC - Marang
WEC Marang Block
WEC - L19 WEC Leseding Block Glass Lab
WEC - ML34 WEC Marang Block
WEC - L20 WEC Leseding Block
WEC - MU230 WEC Marang Block
WEC - L214 WEC Leseding Block
WEC - MU271 WEC Marang Block
WEC - L247 WEC Leseding Block
WEC - SPACE WEC SPACE FRAME
WEC - L249 WEC Leseding Block FRAME THEATRE
WEC - L250 WEC Leseding Block WEC - SPACE WEC SPACE FRAME
FRAME FOYER FOYER
WEC - L251 WEC Leseding Block
WEC - W140 WEC Wozani Block
WEC - L253 WEC Leseding Block
WEC - W66 WEC Wozani Block
WEC - L53 WEC Leseding Block

WEC - L56 WEC Leseding Block

WEC - L57 WEC Leseding Block

WEC - L58 WEC Leseding Block

96 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
 Venue
Building
Name
WSS1 Wits Science Stadium
Wits Science Stadium
WSS101
(Bateman Room)
WSS102 Wits Science Stadium
WSS103 Wits Science Stadium
Wits Science Stadium
WSS104
(Esorfranki Room)
WSS105 Wits Science Stadium
WSS106 Wits Science Stadium
WSS107 Wits Science Stadium
WSS112 Wits Science Stadium

WSS113 Wits Science Stadium

WSS114 Wits Science Stadium

WSS121 Wits Science Stadium

WSS122 Wits Science Stadium

WSS123 Wits Science Stadium

WSS2 Wits Science Stadium

WSS201 Wits Science Stadium

WSS202 Wits Science Stadium

WSS203 Wits Science Stadium

WSS204 Wits Science Stadium

WSS205 Wits Science Stadium

WSS206 Wits Science Stadium

WSS207 Wits Science Stadium

WSS3 Wits Science Stadium

WSS4 Wits Science Stadium

WSS5 Wits Science Stadium

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 97
 NOTES

98 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
 NOTES

WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI Wits Undergraduate Student Guide 99
 TIMETABLE
Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
8:00: 8:45

9:00-9:45

9:45-10:15 BREAK
10:15-11:00

11:15-12:00

12:00-12:30 BREAK
12:30-13:15

13:15-14:15 LUNCH
14:15:15:00

15:15-16:00

16:15-17:00

100 Wits Undergraduate Student Guide WITS IS MINE | WITS KE YAKA | WITS EYAMI
101
 www.wits.ac.za

WITS. FOR GOOD