braamfontein
where people rise to greatness
Article
University of Witwatersrand
Spread over more than 100 hectares, Wits University is an urban, comprehensive university which has a distinctive capacity to contribute to the reconstruction and development of South Africa through research and the production of skilled, critical and adaptable graduates. With its more than 100 000 graduates in its 82-year history, Wits has made and its mark nationally and internationally. Expansion of the varsity into Braamfontein took place when, in 1976 Lawson’s Corner, renamed University Corner, was acquired. Senate House, the University’s main administrative building, was occupied in 1977.
The origins of Wits lie in the South African School of Mines, which was established in Kimberley in 1896 and transferred to Johannesburg as the Transvaal Technical Institute in 1904, becoming the Transvaal University College in 1906 and renamed the South African School of Mines and Technology four years later. Full university status was granted in 1922, incorporating the College as the University of the Witwatersrand, with effect from 1st March. Seven months later the inauguration of the University was duly celebrated. Professor Jan Hofmeyr became its first principal. Construction began at Milner Park on a site donated to the University by the Johannesburg Municipality. The University had, at that stage, six faculties (Arts, Science, Medicine, Engineering, Law and Commerce), 37 departments, 73 members of academic staff and little more than 1000 students. The period between 1947 and the 1980s was marked by considerable growth — student numbers increased rapidly to 6275 in 1963, 10600 in 1975 and 16400 by 1985. The Faculty of Medicine and the Graduate School of Business are also part of Wits.