Wits vice-chancellor appointed for second term
The Council of Wits University has appointed Professor Zeblon Vilakazi as vice-chancellor and principal for five more years.
His second and final term will run from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2030.
“On behalf of the Council, we would like to congratulate Professor Vilakazi on his appointment, and we are confident that under his leadership, Wits will grow from strength to strength over the next five years,” said Isaac Shongwe, chairperson of the Wits University Council in a statement.
The university said Vilakazi's appointment follows a successful first term, during which he positioned Wits in the national and global higher education landscape through his “moonshot” vision and the imperatives outlined in the Wits 2022 vision and the Wits 2033 Strategic Framework.
"I am honoured and grateful to the university community for the confidence and trust that they have placed in me to continue to lead this great institution, a national treasure, that makes a real difference in society,” said Vilakazi.
"Over the next few years, we will continue to work towards our 2033 goals, to invest in the academic project, to create an environment that fosters innovation, and to ensure the wellbeing of staff, students, and members of the Wits community."
Vilakazi said he would focus on several issues over the next five years, such as financial sustainability, reimagining the Braamfontein Precinct, and ensuring good governance, accountability, and ethical leadership.
His role in fundraising has enabled the university to compete for resources globally and locally in an increasingly constrained environment.
Under his leadership, Wits exceeded its R3 billion centenary campaign target, with major infrastructure projects receiving significant funding for implementation.
"This includes the opening of the Wits Anglo American Digital Dome, breaking ground on the new Brian and Dorothy Zylstra Sports Complex, the launch of the Wits Machine Intelligence and Neural Development Institute, the opening of the Roy McAlpine Burns Unit at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, and a major donation to fund students through the naming of the Margo Steele School of Accountancy,” the council said.
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