The University of the Witwatersrand occupies a special place in the hearts and minds of South Africans. It is a leading university renowned for its commitment to academic and research excellence, social justice and advancement of the public good. The history of the university is inextricably linked to the development of Johannesburg, to mining, and to deeply rooted political and social activism.

Wits University at 100: From Excavation to Innovation captures moments of Wits’ story over 100 years through exploring its origins, its place in society, its transformation and its challenges as it prepares for the next century.

This centennial publication presents a narrative of Wits as a living and dynamic institution, celebrating its existence through its people, many of whom, in one way or another, have shifted the world. Driven by the voices of its people, Wits University at 100 tells the story of Wits from its humble beginnings as a mining college in Johannesburg to its current position as a flourishing university stimulating innovation from the global South.

The experiences, achievements and insights of past and present ‘Witsies’ showcased in this full-colour, illustrated book map the university’s current and future vision as it marks its centenary in 2022.