The magazine for ALUMNI and friends of the University of the Witwatersrand April 2019, Volume 41 - Wits University
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The magazine for ALUMNI and friends of the University of the Witwatersrand
April 2019, Volume 41
LETTERS EDITOR’S NOTE
MAKE THE MOST STRENGTHENING
DEMOCRACY
OF BEING A WITSIE.
E
lection season has started in South Africa with Peter Maher
Director:
STAY CONNECTED!
the sixth democratic election scheduled for
Alumni Relations
8 May 2019.
While holding free and fair elections for a governing
party is the foundation of democracy, it doesn’t environment across racial, class, gender, religious,
guarantee that a democratically elected government linguistic, and national boundaries. Today nearly
or leader will always act in the interests of society. 70% of our graduates are first-generation university
students and just over 50% are women.
History is replete with examples of democratically
elected governments and leaders succumbing to Due to its academic stature, progressive nature and
delinquency and self-interest, as is being vividly location in the economic heartland of the country
www.facebook.com/witsalumni/ exposed in the Judicial Commission of Inquiry and continent, Wits has always robustly engaged with
into Allegations of State Capture and related the tensions and fractures of society, most notably in
commissions of inquiry into the South African opposing apartheid and more recently addressing the
Revenue Service, National Prosecuting Authority and affordability of a university education.
Public Investment Corporation.
www.twitter.com/witsalumni The Wits School of Governance is playing a vital
Elections are thus a time to reflect on institutions, role addressing problems that beset governance at
values and practices that strengthen a democratic local, provincial, national and continental levels and
society, such as media freedom, an independent there are many University entities at the forefront of
www.linkedin.com/in/kudoskudu judiciary, a vibrant civil society, social justice protecting human rights and promoting a more just
and mobility, equality, and unfettered intellectual society. This includes work being done by the Wits
enquiry. By providing a university education, through Law Clinic, the Centre for Applied Legal Studies,
teaching and research, thought leadership and the Wits Justice Project, the Reproductive Health
public engagement, and through the contributions of Institute, and the African Centre for Migration and
www.flickr.com/groups/witsie/ alumni to society and the economy, universities play Society.
an essential role in strengthening democracy.
Whatever challenges the University has faced in
Wits University in particular has played a its long history, it has always remained resilient,
transformational role in our society through its public with an enduring commitment to excellence. Wits
and social engagement. It has enriched humanity still upholds the values and principles propounded
through its contribution to arts and culture, and by its founding Principal, Jan Hofmeyr: cherishing
provided the country with the specialised skills and academic freedom and the discovery of truth; open
cutting-edge research needed to grow a prosperous to all in the community; and preparing its students
economy. For almost a century, Wits has played a not just for a profession but for life in general and
leading role in addressing inequality and advancing for citizenship.
social justice. Wits remains at the forefront of
Alumni House, Wits Club & Barns
building an inclusive society, providing higher If we want our hard-won democracy to work, the
Complex, Alumni Lane, West Campus
education for students from diverse backgrounds, contribution made by Wits and Witsies is a legacy we
See more benefits at Tel +27 11 717 1090
Fax 086 406 4146 allowing them to interact in a cosmopolitan need to invest in and bequeath to future generations.
www.wits.ac.za/alumni Email alumni@wits.ac.za
2 WITS REVIEW APRIL 2019 1
58 Sculpture by
Chris Soal,
page 45
WITSIES Editor
AROUND Peter Maher (peter.maher@wits.ac.za)
Contributors
THE WORLD Wits Review – APRIL 2019
Heather Dugmore (heather@icon.co.za)
Lyrr Thurston (lyrr.thurston@wits.ac.za)
Ufrieda Ho (ufrieda@gmail.com)
Graphic Design
38
Jignasa Diar (jignasa.diar@wits.ac.za)
01 Editor’s note Printing: Remata
04 Letters Circle of Excellence Award
2017 (Council for Advancement and
Profile 08 Upfront Support of Education)
Best External Magazine
SYDNEY 20 Research
2017, 2016, 2015, 2012 & 2010 (MACE)
Best External Magazine
BRENNER 28 The Wits Swimming Pool
2014, 2013, 2012 & 2011
(SA Publication Forum)
68 Feature: Melville Koppies
Published by the Office of Alumni Relations,
University of the Witwatersrand,
73 Feature: Barberton
Johannesburg.
IN THIS
Address: Private Bag 3, Wits, 2050,
South Africa
76 Books T +27 (0)11 717 1090 E alumni@wits.ac.za
www.wits.ac.za/alumni
84 In Memoriam UPDATE CONTACT DETAILS:
www.wits.ac.za/alumni/updateyourdetails
ISSUE
SUBSCRIPTIONS per copy:
South Africa R25 (incl. VAT & postage)
International R50 (incl. postage)
PAYMENT OPTIONS:
Online payment using a Visa, Mastercard,
50
American Express or Diners Club credit card
at: www.wits.ac.za/alumni/payment or by
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National Bank, Account No. 62077141580,
Branch Code 255-005, Ref.No. 29613
(+ your name) or by cash or credit card
Feature payment at the Alumni Office.
42
AGEING WITSReview is published twice a year. The
views expressed in this publication are not
necessarily those of the editor, the Office of
Alumni Relations or of the University of the
Witwatersrand. ©Copyright of all material
WITSIES
23
in this publication is vested in the authors
thereof. Requests to reproduce any of the
WITH THE material should be directed to the editor.
EDGE Cover: See feature on the Wits
Swimming Pool, pages 28-37
Research Image: Gallo/Getty Images
CLEAN
COAL
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LETTERS
LETTERS RAYMOND DART’S WISDOM
I notice in the latest Wits Review
that Prof Lee Berger has the Phillip
Tobias chair, which leads me to ask:
is there any recognition at Wits of
Prof Raymond Dart, Tobias’s mentor?
He was a great and wonderful man.
Senior faculty staff used to sit in on
his lectures, and, at the end, instead
of a rush for the doors, students used
at Wits. The School of Anatomical
Sciences houses the RA Dart
Collection of modern human skeletons,
archaeological human remains and
facemasks. The Raymond and Marjorie
Dart Medals are presented to students
who have consistently performed well.
GLAD TO SEE CHANGE
Tukkies in Pretoria 5 points to 3 in
1957. Clive was a brilliant flyhalf,
and was one of the main reasons
we won the Intervarsity in 1957.
Also making wonderful contributions
were Wilf Rosenberg [who died in
January 2019] and Joe Kaminer
(both Springboks). We also had
in the side two Transvaal players,
Frikkie Rademan and Hugh Snyder.
of the Terrorism Act to the inevitable
flight out of South Africa to Botswana
after marrying another banned person,
ex-political prisoner Marius Schoon.
Not feeling safe there, they moved on
to Lubango in northern Angola. That
was where Jenny Curtis (BA 1971),
as we knew her, was killed along with
her six-year-old daughter Katryn on 28
The speed with which the Wits Review June 1984, when, in her own kitchen,
to stay on and talk to him. I recall one
has advanced, in content, appearance Clive was not only a brilliant rugby she opened the parcel-bomb sent to
time when, after a lecture, a student Jenny Curtis Schoon
and quality, is impressive. Bravo! player, cricketer and golfer, but an her by Craig Williamson. Her son Fritz
(dental, not medical!), looking at a
excellent piano player, playing by ear. still lives with the traumatic shock of
20 000-year-old ape pelvis, managed
to drop it about 30cm onto the marble
The October 2018 article “A taste
of the Stone Age” has, of course, My father was William Grant
that moment.
HOW MANY
desktop, where, like Caesar’s Gaul,
it broke into three pieces. You have
a Zimbabwean clay oven that is a Mackenzie (BSc Eng 1928). He Would anyone on the Wits campus in OF US COULD
HAVE GUESSED
replica of the Sterkfontein skulls! devoted many hours of his personal the repressed yet turbulent, wild-
never heard such a silence. After
Complete with sideburn... time to various Wits organisations edged atmosphere of the late 1960s
some seconds, a very quiet voice
said: “Yes, my boy. It could happen
I have ties to three universities, with
(President of Convocation 1937-1946;
he led the 1953 University Appeal,
and early 1970s have been able to
predict that Jenny might lead such
AT THE POLIT-
to any one of us.” – Joe Marcus
(MBBCh 1953), Philadelphia, USA
Wits being the first in time and in my which raised a million pounds for a richly engaged life, with such a ICAL RESOLVE
heart. Perhaps I was brainwashed at an
early age? Wits remains my only alma
Wits). His younger sister, Peggy Grant
Mackenzie, was also a Wits graduate
violently abrupt end? And though she
was already an activist on campus,
AND UTTER
Editor’s note: Professor Raymond
Dart was Dean of the Wits Medical
mater. I use Google Earth to look at and one of the founder members of how many of us could have guessed DETERMINA-
School from 1925 to 1943. He
Braamfontein buildings and try to see
50 years back. Such change! For the
the Black Sash movement. My brother,
Malcolm (BSc Eng 1958), remembers
at the political resolve and utter
determination behind her shy smile TION BEHIND
HER SHY
founded the medical library and did
good. – Bill Knott (BA 1968), Portage playing cricket against Clive Ulyate. and quiet words, always caring, rarely
a lot to establish disciplines such as
la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada – Donald Mackenzie (BArch 1958), speaking of herself before inquiring
physiotherapy and occupational therapy
Nyon, Switzerland about others? SMILE AND
Editor’s note: We’d love to have even
more space in the magazine to share The Curtis home in Johannesburg
QUIET WORDS?
Wits’ stories. But you can take a virtual A PERSON I WISH COULD was a place many appreciated for
tour of campus online, available on the BE ALIVE TODAY its warm and easy hospitality. I will
Professor Wits website: www.wits.ac.za. One person I wish could still be take a glass from a table there and
Raymond Dart
alive today would be turning 70 raise it now to Jenny. – Denis Hirson
on 5 May 2019, yet she died at (BA 1972, BA Hons 1973), Paris
BRILLIANT PLAYER the age of 35 under unspeakably
REMEMBERED terrible circumstances. You can
I was greatly saddened to read the follow her path up to that moment FUN TIMES IN THE 1940S
news of Clive Ulyate leaving us on the Internet: from Vice-President Much as I would have liked to go
(WR October 2018). The Ulyate of NUSAS in 1972 to a moving to the Wits reunion in Melbourne
Erratum: In the October
and Mackenzie families spent many force behind the Western Province (September 2018), my partner, who is
2018 issue, we wrote that
happy July holidays together. Clive Workers’ Advice Bureau, founder of now 96, and myself, 92, are somewhat
Dr William Eplett was
and I ended up playing together the Industrial Aid Society and archivist too old to attend functions any more. predeceased by his wife.
for the Wits First Rugby team, the at the Institute for Race Relations, In fact, Adele Eplett was
highlight of which was Wits beating from arrest in 1976 under Section 6 These Rag photos (next page), dug out his mother.
4 WITS REVIEW APRIL 2019 5
LETTERS
of a very old photo album, will probably remember Professors MacCrone and The freshers’ concert and Rag were
not be of any use, but I am sending Bozzoli. They were heady days.
SO MUCH FOR UNRULY the events which kickstarted our
them just as an archive of what
ELEMENTS academic experience. Phineas Court
We were the victims of Prof
happened with us just after the end of I took extra maths tuition privately across Jan Smuts Avenue was out
Hyslop’s decision [in 1957] to rid
WWII in 1946 and 1947. at the home of a lady in Parktown of bounds, but some students still
College and Dalrymple of unruly
North. It didn’t register with me at managed to visit there. At Phineas
elements. Summarily kicked out ...
I am now reaching the age when there the time, but I think she was under Cafe we could supplement the res
find your own accommodation.
are not too many of my generation left house arrest and could not lecture in menu with toasted sandwiches.
any more, but my Wits heritage goes the Wits Maths department. Sadly I 1
Apart from guarding Phineas [the
back to my father (Advocate Morris have forgotten her name. I did pass my A huge disruption in our lives every
mascot] it was also our duty to prevent
de Saxe, LLB 1924), my aunt and two exams, in no small measure due to her year were “raids”. These came and
the Tukkies from kidnapping the Rag
uncles – all Kupers – who were all Wits help. She is one of my heroes. went between Wits and Tukkies
Queen, the lovely, serene Robbie
graduates from the 1920s and 1930s residences. The hostels literally came
Above and Brueckner (Dr Roberta Welch,
and in my case 1951. Other lecturers in Maths at the time under attack for several hours. As
below: MBBCh 1955). – Mike Morris (MBBCh
Mannie included Dr Carter, Dr Lewin, Dr House Committee we were up all night
1960)
De Saxe One of the photos is of Pat Stone Knopfmacher [father of Prof Arnold fending off the attackers!
and me. The signs on the floats are Knopfmacher] and Professor Young. 2
Editor’s note: Despite their unruly
politically very incorrect today. The I can still to this day, thanks to Dr One of the “perks” of being a resident
beginnings, the students in Mike
other shows two of us roller-skating on Knopfmacher, prove that minus zero student was ushering at Great Hall
Morris’s photos (right) include men
the big day. is equal to plus zero. No, that is not events.
who went on to great things. Our
axiomatic, though it can be proved.
information is that Malcolm C Pike
Another event soon after the end of the The first-year Architecture students
(BSc 1955) became an epidemiologist
war was I think the first NUSAS tour, When there was a scarcity of lecturers, were located in some of the army huts,
at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering
on a Union Castle ship. We travelled Wits asked Professor Young to come which were in pretty poor shape by
Cancer Center; David Epstein (BSc
to Cape Town by train and by ship to back out of retirement. My recollection 1954, not enhanced by my classmates
1955) a Professorial Research Fellow
Durban, and then home from Durban was that he was very old, though that kicking holes in the wall in moments
at Warwick University’s Mathematics 3
by train. We stopped at Port Elizabeth was the perspective of a 20-year-old. of stress. On one occasion I recall, a
Institute; Norman Lewis (BSc 1955,
and East London in between and it was He taught real and complex variables. sudden influx of empty cans, cigarette
BSc Hons 1957) an expert in business
a fantastic trip. I remember him well because he didn’t packets and miscellaneous garbage
IT systems and adjunct professor at 1. Rag, 1954
use any notes whatsoever. He just came through the windows from
Wayne State University’s Business 2. Intervarsity, 1954,
I have so many memories because I came in and lectured, writing long the garden outside. The librarian, guarding Phineas
School; the late Aubrey Sheiham
spent more years doing a mechanical proofs on the blackboard, either from Joan Biddles, had had enough of my 3. College House, 1954
(BDS 1957) a dental epidemiologist 4. Below: Building monument
engineering degree than I was memory or because he was brilliant classmates tossing the stuff onto her
and emeritus professor of Dental to Zorro mascot, College
supposed to – 1944 to 1949. I then enough to work them out on the spot. lovingly nurtured garden. House
Public Health at University College
worked in Newcastle on Tyne for two What an amazing grasp he had. Images: Mike Morris
London (and generous donor to Wits).
years before being awarded my degree Thank you Wits and Witsies. Now
in absentia. – Mannie De Saxe (BSc I struggled at times with maths. One it is fun to attend Founders’ Tea! –
Eng 1951), Melbourne, Australia time I went to see Professor Young out Anneliese (Konig) Stewart, (BArch
of class to ask for clarification on some
WARM MEMORIES OF 1959) Johannesburg
topic. His reply was: “My boy, if you
SUNNYSIDE
Your October 2018 issue is a delight
MATHS TEACHING HEROES can’t understand that, you don’t have a
and brought back so many happy Editor’s note: Sunnyside residence
I came across a Wits Review from April hope of passing my exam.” But he was
memories! I was at Sunnyside between celebrates its 90th anniversary in
2012. It brought back many memories, not dismissive; he explained yet again
1954 and 1960, eventually being 2019. Contact warden Refilwe Mabula
particularly the article by Heather to me and perhaps his words were the
elected Senior Student in my final for information about how to get
Dugmore [on the origins of student extra ounce of push I needed. I did in
year. During my time Erica Biesheuwel involved: refilwe.mabula@wits.ac.za.
protest at Wits]. I started at Wits in fact pass. – Prof Bill Galloway (BSc
Rag, 1946 was Dean, and Jean Forbes and 4
1965, aged 17, studying maths. I 1969), Vancouver, Canada
Helen Bax Assistant Deans.
6 WITS REVIEW APRIL 2019 7
UPFRONT
UPFRONT
Chancellor's farewell
WITS IS THE
Chancellor's installation
KNOW YOUR
Freshers soccer match
THAT'S THE
SPIRIT
REWARD HISTORY The annual tradition of the
Wits Spirit Game for first
When former Deputy Chief At her installation
year students was held in
Justice Dikgang Moseneke’s ceremony as Wits’ new
the Bidvest Wits Stadium
second and final term as Chancellor, Dr Nobuhle
on 30 January 2019. (Wits
Wits Chancellor ended, the Judy Dlamini called for
All Stars 4 - Bidvest Wits
University held a farewell greater recognition of
0.) At the game, students
event for him on 4 December women’s contributions in
were "revealed" as new
2018 celebrating his 12 various spheres. She said
Witsies with the Proudly
years as Chancellor. In his that ignoring women’s
Witsie T-shirt activation.
farewell remarks, Moseneke talents, paying them less
called for the University to and denying them the
More photos: www.flickr.com/
be preserved and protected. leadership positions they photos/witsalumni/albums
He said young people should deserve amounted to Images: Snippet video & Peter Maher
want to change the world, abuse. She acknowledged
and institutions should not be the forebears who had
allowed to stagnate, but “you made it possible for her
can be radical and still be to be ready to serve as
thoughtful”. We must guard Chancellor. “Decolonising
our institutions and also “find education starts with
the courage to say it like it knowing your history,
is”. knowing who you are and
embracing it.” She said
Vice-Chancellor Professor that each one of us had
Adam Habib paid tribute to something to give, whether
Moseneke, describing him as it be time, knowledge,
a “committed radical and a words of encouragement, or
dignified individual”, and Wits financial resources. “Wits’
conferred on him the degree global excellence and
of Doctor of Laws honoris transformation need to be
causa. protected and celebrated.”
More photos: www.flickr.com/ More photos: www.flickr.com/
photos/witsalumni/albums photos/witsalumni/albums
Images: Snippet video Images: Snippet video
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UPFRONT
USA medical graduates reunion
Image: Gordon Harris
MEDICS GATHER IN
Honorary degree
RHODE ISLAND ACCOLADE FOR
Health Sciences Dean Martin Veller and Wits USA
ACTIVIST
representative Nooshin Erfani updated medical graduates on
Wits University honoured The Right
Wits developments at a reunion held in Newport, Rhode Island
Honourable Baroness Amos of
in September 2018.
Brondesbury, Valerie Amos, with
an honorary Doctor of Literature
Gerald Friedland, Professor Emeritus of Epidemiology and
degree on 5 December 2018. As
Public Health at Yale School of Medicine, gave a talk about
a student leader and an activist in
HIV and TB. Alumni also had a chance to share their interests.
the British Labour Party, Baroness
Dr Michael Eliastam (MBBCh 1966) spoke about the recent
Amos was immersed not just in the
discovery on Mount Kenya of his uncle’s bomber aircraft, which
anti-racism struggles in the UK, but
disappeared (with an air-crew of four young South African
also in the anti-apartheid movement.
flyers) on a training flight during the early days of WW2.
Her career in British public service
Dr Denis Benjamin (BSc 1965, MBBCh 1968) shared his
culminated in her appointment as the
interest in searching out wild mushrooms all over the world.
Chief Executive Officer of the Equal
And Dr Alan Kisner (MBBCh 1967) described setting up a
Opportunities Commission (1989-
game lodge (Makweti) in Limpopo. Alumni also enjoyed the
1994). Later she became an advisor
attractions of the historic town of Newport.
to the new South African government,
especially on public service reform,
Note to Health Sciences alumni: Wits was placed 83rd globally
labour legislation and employment
in the 2019 Times Higher Education ranking for Pre-clinical,
equity. She also advised the South
Clinical & Health subjects.
African Human Rights Commission.
More photos: www.flickr.com/photos/witsalumni/albums In her address to graduands, Baroness
Images: Medical reunion organiser, Melanie Belman-Gross Amos painted a picture of a world
becoming more fragmented even as
we become more connected. The
challenges we face do not recognise
borders. They require solutions
where we work together. It’s hard
to stay true to one’s values when
so much is about a negotiation,
she said. But, quoting Nelson
Mandela on the fifth anniversary of
his death, she reminded graduands The Right Honourable
Baroness Amos of
of the power of their education.
Brondesbury, Valerie Amos
THE WORLD IS BECOMING MORE FRAGMENTED
EVEN AS WE BECOME MORE CONNECTED.
THE CHALLENGES WE FACE DO NOT RECOGNISE BORDERS.
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UPFRONT
Wits centenarian
107 AND COUNTING
Witsie Harry Fransman, born in Belgium in 1911, turned
107 years old on 25 November 2018 at his home in
Elstree, in the UK. In 2017 he took violin lessons and
until recently he was able to travel independently. He
even took a singing part in a TV advertisement in 2018.
Harry attended Forest High School in Johannesburg,
enrolled at Wits in 1929 to study accountancy, and
worked in business. He married Helen Bernstein at the
Yeoville Shul in 1936 and has three daughters. Wits sent
him a birthday bouquet in University colours and a card
to add to his message from Queen Elizabeth.
United Kingdom
VC MEETS
ALUMNI
Vice-Chancellor Professor
Adam Habib spoke at
several events in the
UK in 2018: a function
at South Africa House
to commemorate the
centenary of the birth of the
late Albertina Sisulu; talks
Gold Medal on student protests and
HONOUR FOR SERVICE funding higher education at
Edinburgh University and at
Chatham House; and a Wits
Wits alumnus Professor Ken Huddle (MBBCh alumni reunion in London.
1974) received the University’s Gold Medal
in 2018 in recognition of his contribution to More photos: www.flickr.com/
photos/witsalumni/albums
improving hospital services for the indigent in
Images: Orde Eliason
Soweto and southern Gauteng and for teaching
generations of Wits medical students over 40
years. For most of his professional life, Prof
Huddle was based at Chris Hani Baragwanath
Academic Hospital, where he was Chief
Specialist and Professor of Internal Medicine
from 1990 until his retirement in 2015.
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3
UPFRONT UPFRONT
Sports Awards
SILVERWARE FOR WITSIES
The martial art form Tang Soo Do packed Club of the Year. Tanita is completing
a kick in the 2018 Wits Sport Awards. her MSc in astrophysics under a Square
The joint winners of Wits’ highest Kilometre Array bursary and may go on
individual sporting accolade, Full Blue to do a PhD in the field. “Astronomy and
Summa Cum Laude, are black belts astrophysics are hot topics in the country
alumni Tshegofatso Masike (BSc 2014, at the moment and it’s very exciting,”
BSc Hons 2017) (a student of nuclear she says.
science) and Kim Lucas (BCom 2018).
Sportsman of the Year was cricketer and
Sportswoman of the Year Tanita marketing management student Farhaan
Ramburuth-Hurt (BSc 2016, BSc Hons Sayanvala. The Student Administrator’s
2018) is also a Tang Soo Do practitioner Award went to Shaun Sepuru of the Wits
and the club was voted 2018 Sports Chess Club.
Tshegofatso
Masike
Australia reunions
VC REASSURES OZ ALUMNI
Professor Adam Habib hosted a series of alumni reunions
in Australia in September 2018, meeting Witsies in Perth,
Melbourne, Sydney and the Gold Coast.
SLAM In his presentation he explained the context of the #FMF student
DUNK protests of 2015 and 2016 and shared his view that the issues
were legitimate and global, adding that Wits is now “in a far
Wits Bucks, the
better place” than it was two years ago.
men’s team, won
the first Varsity
Wits is still producing globally competitive graduates and will
Sports Basketball
tournament in continue to do so. By the University’s centenary in 2022,
2018, beating Wits will have 40 000 students, 45% of them postgraduates.
UCT 78-55 Tanita Kim Research will continue to thrive (output rose by 77% from
Ramburuth-Hurt Lucas
in the final. 2012 to 2017) and Wits will still attract excellent students and
talented academics and researchers.
WBS Golden Anniversary Professor Habib also outlined recent campus developments
PROUD YEAR
and plans, including online learning, the use of technology to
Wits Business School published a 50th anniversary
improve teaching and groundbreaking research. He emphasised
special edition of The WBS Journal in 2018,
FOR WITS packed with thoughtful articles, highlights,
the importance of a safe and stimulating learning environment
and the role Wits was playing in the revival of the surrounding
BUSINESS trailblazing business alumni and much more. It’s
available online: 50yearsofwbs.co.za or you can
Braamfontein area.
SCHOOL contact Jane Balnaves at WBS, tel. +27 11 717
3559 or email jane.balnaves@wits.ac.za.
More photos: www.flickr.com/photos/witsalumni/albums
Images: Peter Maher
14 WITS REVIEW APRIL 2019 115
5
UPFRONT
The Ndebeles
Founders' Tea
FOUNDERS STAND REMEMBERED
UP FOR ETHICS WITH RESPECT
One of the guests at Founders’
A record number of Wits Founders – more than 600 –
Tea was Mthandeni Ndebele,
returned to the heart of East Campus, the Library Lawns,
son of the late Nimrod
on 29 November 2018 for their annual reunion tea. They
Njabulo Ndebele (BA 1948)
gave the guest speaker, Public Enterprises Minister Pravin
and brother of the writer
Gordhan, a standing ovation for his opposition to corruption Nimrod Njabulo Ndebele
Professor Njabulo Ndebele
and state capture. In his address, Gordhan warned that the
(DLitt honoris causa 2010).
people who had damaged South Africa’s institutions were not
Mthandeni Ndebele recalls
likely to give up and walk away. But greater stability could be
that his father cycled from
achieved if South Africans made the economy more inclusive
Sophiatown to attend lectures
and more competitive; encouraged more partnerships
at Wits. He studied part-time,
between government, business and civil society; addressed
graduated in isiZulu and
issues of social justice; and changed business culture
Political Science and became
radically. Business had played a part in corruption, he said;
a teacher. He wrote the first
new ethics and behaviour were needed.
play published in isiZulu,
More photos: www.flickr.com/photos/witsalumni/albums UGubudele namaZimuzimu
Images: Snippet Video, Vivid Images, Peter Maher (Wits University Press 1941). Mthandeni Ndebele
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7UPFRONT
Civil Engineering Class of 1978 Reunion
PASSING THE STRESS TEST
The 1978 Civil Engineering class held their 40-year reunion
at the Johannesburg Country Club in November 2018. Of the
final year class of 67 graduates, 22 attended the dinner –
some coming from as far afield as Hawaii and the UK. Tony
Purchase spoke about the turbulent mid-1970s and current
Head of School Professor Akpofure Taigbenu pointed out
some of the changes in today’s Civil Engineering class and
curriculum. The group shared memories, tributes, successes REMEMBER WHEN
and observations of their profession, and donated the reunion
event’s profits to the Endowment Fund of the School.
NOW
Image: Peter Maher
Mechanical Engineering Class of 1968 50th Anniversary Reunion
STILL RUNNING SMOOTHLY AFTER 50 YEARS THEN
Each era creates its own brand of graduate but was too expensive for students of the time, who
depending on the culture of the time, the still used the slide-rule (or “slipstick”) for their
technology, the environment, the role models and so calculations.
Image: List supplied by Class of 1978
on. For the Mechanical Engineering Class of 1968,
their student years and early careers were an exciting The Wits Class of 1968 met for their 50th
time of the space race, Cold War, new materials, graduation anniversary in October 2018, toured the
jet airline travel, and the first legislation regulating campus engineering facilities, the Origins Centre and
the engineering profession in South Africa. The first the NECSA Pelindaba nuclear plant, enjoyed a braai
scientific pocket calculator, the HP-9100A, was and visited the World of Beer – to rekindle memories
commercially released in 1968 by Hewlett-Packard, of student tours of the SA Breweries plant in Isando.
More photos: www.flickr.com/photos/witsalumni/albums
To arrange a reunion of Wits alumni or to offer your services as an
alumni volunteer, please contact Peter Maher (peter.maher@wits.
ac.za) or Purvi Purohit (purvi.purohit@wits.ac.za).
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RESE ARC H
Gallo/Getty Images
J
ust half a degree Celsius far-reaching and unprecedented said the report’s findings “should planet towards a sixth mass species
Image: Shutterstock
makes a world of difference. changes in all aspects of society,” said sound to us like alarm bells”. But extinction”.
A world of extreme weather, the United Nations’ Intergovernmental he added: “With careful planning at
rising sea levels, loss of Panel on Climate Change in October national level, countries can unlock As co-chair of an assessment
ecosystems and threats to 2018. large synergies between [carbon] published in 2018 by the
human health. emission reductions, adaptation and Intergovernmental Science-Policy
It’s especially urgent for South Africa, sustainable development outcomes.” Platform on Biodiversity and
It’s not too late to avoid this future. which is already getting hotter faster There is an opportunity not only Ecosystem Services, he said:
It can be done. But it’s time to act than average. For every 2°C that the to limit global warming but to get “Avoiding, reducing and reversing
urgently. The goal of climate change Earth warms on average, parts of South closer to the goals of sustainable this problem, and restoring degraded
scientists worldwide is to limit the rise Africa will warm by 4°C. development. land, is an urgent priority to protect
in global temperature to 1.5°C above the biodiversity and ecosystem
the pre-industrial average. Keeping Wits scientists have been part of the Also looking at the “big picture” services vital to all life on Earth and
to this limit would be far better than international effort to understand is Professor Bob Scholes (BSc to ensure human well-being.”
allowing global warming of 2°C, a the science of climate change, 1978, BSc Hons 1979, PhD 1988),
recent report has shown. environmental degradation and its one of the top 1% of environmental Prof Scholes is working on
consequences. scientists worldwide based on citation projections of food security in the
It won’t be easy. We have about frequency. He says “the degradation 21st century, and on new methods of
12 years to do it. “Limiting global Professor Barend Erasmus, Director of of the Earth’s land surface through detecting land degradation.
warming to 1.5°C would require rapid, the Global Change Institute at Wits, human activities is pushing the
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CLEAN CREW
W its has been involved in clean coal research for
the past 24 years, and the Clean Coal Technology
STORMY
research group has produced many world firsts under
Professor Rosemary Falcon (BSc 1964, PhD 1978) (now
Emeritus Professor and DST-NRF SARChI Clean Coal
Technology Chair) and her husband, Lionel Falcon (BSc
SOUTH
Eng 1959). The research is important for environmental
and economic reasons. South Africa still has 200 years’
worth of coal in the ground and a need for affordable
power. Coal is also South Africa’s highest earner of foreign
exchange and plays a big role in the country’s metallurgy,
T he most severe storms – Category 5 tropical
cyclones – have become more frequent in the
South Indian Ocean in recent years. The first storm
fuel and chemicals sectors. But there’s an obvious and
urgent need for this resource to be used cleanly and
responsibly, making the least possible environmental
to reach this intensity in the region was in 1994,
impact.
but since then they have become more frequent and
shifted towards the south. These very large storm
Dr Samson Bada (MSc Eng 2008, PhD 2010) and the
systems are accompanied by very strong winds (140kt
CCT research group are currently hybridising clean energy
Images: Eleonora Albasi / Nick Nice – Unsplash
or 260km/h), heavy rainfall and storm surges. With
by co-firing coal with biomass grown on mine rehabilitated
a radius of about 500km from the storm centre they
land. The results should be clean, sustainable energy and
pose a threat to southern Africa and island states,
micro-industrialisation from bamboo plantations once
according to Dr Jennifer Fitchett (BSc Hons 2012,
mines are closed. Other research areas include exciting
MSc 2013, PhD 2015), a climate change expert in the
new uses of carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) and
School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental
specialised carbon products from coal for industry.
Studies. People will have to adapt to the threat and
make robust evacuation plans.
Over the past 12 years, the group has produced over 50
postgraduate students.
Tropical Cyclone Dineo - a CAT1 storm - just off the coast of Mozambique
on 15 February 2017, captured by NASA's Aqua satellite
NASA Image: Jeff Schmaltz
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3RESEARCH
GROWING UP NEW HOPE FOR
POSITIVE ORGAN DONATIONS
W ould you rather die of liver
failure or live with HIV?
means that many HIV-positive
people on ARVs are able to live full
and healthy lives.
This was the ethical dilemma faced
by doctors at Wits Donald Gordon The success of this world-first
Medical Centre. Their patient was operation means more HIV-positive
a critically ill, HIV-negative child people could potentially be eligible
who had been on the waiting list for to donate organs.
a liver donor for much longer than
average. The child’s mother was The case points to how successful
HIV-positive and desperate to help South Africa has been in preventing
her child survive. mother-to-child transmission of
HIV, as well as supporting health
First the team had to consider the and extending life by making
risks to donor and recipient and the antiretroviral treatment available.
ethical issues involved in making
such a decision. If they transplanted Any child who needs a liver
part of the HIV-positive mother’s transplant can have one at Wits
liver into the HIV-negative child, Donald Gordon Medical Centre, a
would the child contract HIV as private academic teaching hospital.
a result? And if so, would that be The procedure is offered according
worse than the prospect of imminent to the “sickest first” criterion.
Gallo/Getty Images
death from liver disease?
The team on this case included
In 2017 they went ahead with Wits alumni Professor Jean
the transplant and, more than a Botha (MBBCh 1990), Director
year later, both mother and child of Transplantation at Wits Donald
are doing well. At the time of the Gordon Medical Centre; medical
W
Above: Lambano Sanctuary its lecturer and alumna Natalie pain, fatigue or numbness, yet they transplant, the mother’s HIV viral bioethicist Dr Harriet Etheredge
children's home, a hospice
and care home for children
Benjamin-Damons (MSc are expected to perform the same as MANY HIV- load was undetectable. Even with (MSc Med 2009, PhD 2016);
with HIV in Gauteng Physio 2010) specialises in the
physiotherapy management of children
other children at school. Benjamin-
Damons looked at the problems they POSITIVE PEOPLE ultra-sensitive testing, the team has
not been able to detect any HIV in
clinical research specialist Dr
Francesca Conradie (MBBCh
living with HIV. There are about
550 000 HIV-positive children in
face and found simple exercises and
massage routines to help them. There
ON ARVS ARE the child's blood or cells, although
it will still be some time before a
1988, DTH&M 2000); specialist
physician Dr June Fabian (BPharm
South Africa. A lot of HIV research is still a lot to discover about how HIV ABLE TO LIVE definitive assessment can be made. 1990, MPharm 1994, MBBCh
focuses on children under two and
on adolescents and adults, she says
affects the development of children,
she says. Benjamin-Damons received
FULL AND Although South Africa has the
1998, MMed 2008); and Professor
Caroline Tiemessen (BSc 1984,
– there is a gap in the years when the National Research Foundation’s HEALTHY LIVES highest incidence of HIV worldwide, BSc Hons 1985, PhD 1993), of the
children are developing and learning. Next Generation Researcher Award for it also has the largest and most National Institute for Communicable
Many HIV-positive children experience her doctoral studies. successful ARV programme. This Diseases and Wits.
24 WITS REVIEW APRIL 2019 25RESEARCH
LEFT HIGH THUNDER
AND DRY THIGHS
Images: Viktor Radermacher
Klipbokberg, Grootrivierhoogte, in the Cederberg. These mountains contain clues about ancient landscapes. Images: Cameron Penn-Clarke
Ledumahadi mafube, The Highland Giant
D
Black and white images: John Almond
uring the Devonian Period,
some 400-million years ago,
the land that is now South Africa
was situated over the South
Pole. Looking at the influence of
A twelve-tonne vegetarian – twice the
size of an African elephant – lived
in what is now the Free State nearly
of the group perfected this efficient
stance (similar to today’s elephants)
and likely outcompeted Ledumahadi,
sea-level change on sediments
200-million years ago. The dinosaur, leading to its extinction. Chinese
and the distribution of a unique
Ledumahadi mafube, was the largest dinosaurs
group of marine invertebrates
land animal on Earth at the time and The team at Wits’
from South Africa during this time
the first giant dinosaur to evolve. Its Evolutionary Studies
period, geoscientist Dr Cameron 1 2 3
name means “Giant Thunderclap at Institute also recently
Penn-Clarke (BSc 2011, BSc Hons
Dawn” in Sesotho. Wits Professor announced the
2012, PhD 2017) is investigating
James Kitching found some of its huge discovery of two new
why these creatures disappeared.
fossil bones in the veld 30 years ago meat-eating dinosaurs, Bannykus
The evidence is stored in the
but the species has only recently been and Xiyunykus, in China.
mountains of the Cape, suggesting
scientifically described by Professor
that a series of successive sharp
Jonah Choiniere and Dr Blair McPhee The artwork that illustrates these
falls in sea-level wiped out these
(MSc 2013, PhD 2016). creatures was done by MSc candidate
organisms, causing a complete
Viktor Radermacher (BSc 2017,
collapse in marine ecosystems at
4 5 6 The species was able to grow to giant BSc Hons 2018), who is becoming
the South Pole.
size because it evolved the ability to recognised as both a palaeoscientist
1. Burmeisteria 2. Brachiopods and bivalves 3. Metacryphaeus 4. Ophiuroid and
ophiuroid burrow 5. Proetid 6. Ophiuroid on trilobite head walk on all four legs. Later members and a palaeoartist.
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POOL
CHEMISTRY A DROPLET OF WITS
You can learn a lot in the Wits swimming pool. Ornithology.
Covalent bonds. The strength of your ambitions, convictions,
friendships, shoulders and cozzie elastic. It depends on how close
you get to the Egyptian geese, on your self-discipline, and on the
confidences you blurt out to your pool pals between lengths.
You don’t even have to be sporty – but you might well be.
W r i t t en b y L YR R T H U R S T O N
Il l u st r a t i o n s b y T O B Y N E WS O ME
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n the 1920s, Architecture The pool was officially opened by the Governor- allowed to buy to record various sports: a Tedelex the Marang Centre for Mathematics and Science
Professor GE Pearse was asked General on 16 October 1930. Vice-Chancellor Video Tape Recorder (VTR). It had a slow motion Education. She broke three records at the 1969
to plan the campus layout Professor Humphrey Raikes ordered all lectures and feature to assist in coaching. At the pool it was “an intervarsity and is still a highly competitive Masters
with provision for a pool. The laboratory work to be cancelled for the occasion. aid in water safety” and helped “to keep control and swimmer, in the 65-69 age group internationally.
students wanted it near the discipline around the bath”. He reportedly regarded She swims the Midmar Mile and has swum from
main buildings rather than at This was during the Great Depression, at a time the lawns around the pool as hallowed ground. (By Robben Island to shore. She started swimming
the sports grounds. “After the when the government cut the University’s subsidy by the way, that same year, the pool rules stipulated at Wits as a child, when her father, Dr Eugene
plan had been approved by the a quarter. Soon, more funds would also be needed to that women could wear two-piece costumes but had Rollnick (MBBCh 1952), brought the family to
University Council, work was rebuild the library after a disastrous fire in 1931. to keep everything on when sunbathing. It was also campus.
commenced on the layout, the year that technology got humans onto the moon.)
levelling the terraces and The pool cost £13 000 to construct and the SRC, “Wits in 1969 was polarised between ‘rugger
building retaining walls which had raised much of the funding, was also “Operation has proved as simple and almost as buggers’ and politically orientated students,”
and steps,” he wrote. responsible for maintenance. trouble free as the makers claim,” Macfarlane Rollnick says. “As a swimmer, I was involved in both
“The amphitheatre-like enthused. “Only once did the VTR fault and that was and had to keep my sports activities secret from
swimming bath was Wits was the only university in South Africa with its after the return from Medical School after taping the the politicos! When the numbers of black students
constructed by two own pool at that time, though Johannesburg already liver transplant for Killarney Film Studios. … This increased they refused to use Wits sport facilities,
Basutos using the had its first public pool at Ellis Park (opened in could have been caused by the transportation we had in line with the slogan of ‘No normal sport in an
stone removed from 1909). in an old Volkswagen Kombi … I was a bit shook-up abnormal society’.”
the excavations. myself after the journey. … If you could see, Dr
The towers and One of the women in the Wits team against Tuks at Bozzoli, the looks of amazement and wonder on the Alumni and their families were allowed to use the
dressing rooms the opening gala was Transvaal champion diver Sue faces of less fortunate sportsmen when they visit pool for R3 per season ticket or ten cents for the day
were designed by Womble, “an exceedingly popular and attractive and compete against our student teams, you would in 1969. Nowadays, alumni can pay R1000 a year
the architects in person”, the Rand Daily Mail pointed out. She later be thinking we had the ultimate in VTR. The only for social membership of the Aquatics Club.
collaboration with became a teacher at Krugersdorp East School. disadvantage of this unit is in its weight, 160lb. It
myself.” takes two strong men to lift it…” For years there has also been a Learn to Swim
Events at the annual Wits gala in those early years programme for Wits students and staff (tel.
included the Freshers Pyjama Race, which involved MIX WITH WATER - OR NOT 011 717-9423). Instructor Yolande Springer
a change of wet nightwear halfway. The pool says learning how to swim as an adult can be a
amphitheatre was also the scene of Rag events and Less amusingly, the pool was a place where the frightening experience, but with the basic skills
general socialising. policy of racial discrimination was laid bare. come confidence and the ability to join in all kinds
of fun. School of Mining Engineering lecturer Daisy
From 1939 to 1959, the Wits Swimming Club was For years, the SRC opposed the University’s Matlou (MEd 2002) grew up in Meadowlands, where
beaten only once at intervarsity. The Waterpolo approach of social segregation, but Wits remained there were no pools, and tried to learn to swim at
Club won the first intervarsity contest in 1932 and under pressure from the apartheid state. In 1969, the Orlando East pool back in 1980. But it was only
produced two Olympians for the 1952 Helsinki after an exchange with the Minister of Education, in the 2000s at Wits that she really took the plunge
Games: Gerald Goddard and Des Cohen. Bozzoli reluctantly cancelled the concession by and learnt properly, along with a group of staff and
which black students had been allowed to use students, at lunchtimes and Saturdays. Some staff,
Tom “Fergy” Ferguson was Swimming Bath the swimming pool. In his memoirs, Bozzoli wrote she points out, had bought properties with pools and
Superintendent and a successful coach for 23 years that he and Advocate Issy Maisels had argued that needed to learn for safety reasons. “I discovered it’s
from 1929 until his death in 1952. whatever happened on campus during the “academic a myth that only black people can’t swim!” she says.
day” could be considered an academic activity, Though “a little bit scared” at first, she loved feeling
His successor was the much-loved Victor “Mac” where racial integration was permitted. The Minister refreshed, de-stressed and well stretched after a
Macfarlane – “mentor, confidant and friend”, says disagreed and ordered an end to “mixed bathing”. training session.
one former club captain – who served for 32 years.
One swimmer who remembers those times is Staff member and alumnus Jonathan Padavatan
In 1969, Mac wrote to Vice-Chancellor GR Bozzoli Emeritus Professor Marissa Rollnick (BSc (BSc 2009, BSc Hons 2010) swims regularly
to thank him for an exciting gadget he’d been 1972, PDipEd 1972, PhD 1988), former Director of in season and goes to the pool to meditate. He
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appreciates the pool’s potential to bring people Tony Garstang (BCom 2000, BCom Hons 2001) “I remember the
together from different backgrounds and, like
MEET THE SPORTY TYPES remembers the revival of the Aquatics Club in the pool always being in
Matlou, feels it’s a resource that more people should late 1990s. Members kitted out their home in the immaculate condition,”
be using. So the members of the Wits Underwater Club, which west pool tower – known as The Wet Spot – with he continues. “The
has been going since 1945, must be tough. The club leftovers from the maintenance department. “We pool staff worked really
In 1974, the go-ahead was given to extend the pool is renowned for quality scuba diving and underwater designed, built and paid for the bar ourselves by hard and had huge pride
to meet Olympic standards, from 50 yards to 50 hockey and is open to the public. making 30c per beer we sold for R2.50.” in ensuring that it always
metres. Upgrades, heating and safety features seem sparkled blue. In my opinion
to have faced budgetary resistance for many years “The Wits main campus pool is at the heart of our “There was a guy who worked in the geology they were the friendliest,
and funding is still a challenge, says Wits Sport club’s activities as we have underwater hockey department, whom we called Mitch the most helpful staff on campus.
Director Adrian Carter. practice there along with scuba diving training Magnificent,” recalls Garstang. “He used to come They used to stick around late
courses,” says Underwater Club chairman Izak down to the pool every day to tan in his Speedo, into evenings and weekends
The pool wasn’t fenced until the 1990s, despite Minnie. “Countless hours have been spent in and slops and lab coat. He was truly a sight to behold! watching us practise and play
then Sports Administration Head John Baxter’s around its waters. Our clubhouse is situated in one Definitely should be made an honorary member of games. I think some of the
pleas. He recalls a crowd of visiting schoolchildren of the ivy-covered towers next to the pool – I believe the Aquatics Club.” longer-standing staff members
rushing to the pool, leaping in and having to be we have the most beautiful venue at Wits.” knew the game better than
fished out. But Vice-Chancellor Prof DJ du Plessis Water polo player Jim Ashley’s favourite memory: “a those playing and used to
was reluctant to allow the view to be spoilt by a Many of the club members are beginners to aquatic wayward bounce shot that defied physics, left the really cheer if we won or get
barrier of any kind. sports. Alumni make up a fairly large proportion of surface of the water, hit the light post, rattled off of sad if we lost.”
membership, because scuba diving is a sport that the post and railings about five times, then landed
It certainly is a central feature of the Wits landscape can be practised at almost any age. The introductory comically in Mitch’s navel. Luckily for the students Sports supervisor Godfrey
and the setting for many kinds of student activity. In course takes about four weekends of lectures and in the amphitheatre, when Mitch stood up his old, Shivhambu started working at
the 1980s, Men’s Res Freshers had to brush their diving. ill-fitting Charles Atlases stood firm.” Wits in 2004 as a pool attendant
teeth in the pool water as part of their initiation, and is now responsible for making
while Sunnyside Freshettes used their bras as fishing Diving from a board is another matter. Wits once Water polo teams compete in the annual inter-varsity sure the pool is maintained. In
nets. The first day of September was as good a led the way in this sport. According to information tournament and the Gauteng league. Because of 2018 it was closed for retiling and
reason as any to start a skinnydipping tradition. found by Caprice Philippopoulos (HDipEd 1987, the fearsome reputation of the pool’s temperature, to service the starting blocks. The
MA 2004), former head coach of SA Diving, the “all the other water polo clubs dreaded playing budget is tight, but he assures us
Aside from the fun, swimming is a good way to swimming club made a film of South African us at home,” says Dave Baxter (BCom 2006, that “the pool is not going
unwind, wake up before an exam or relieve the champion Willem Bohlander (BArch 1942) BA Hons 2007, PDM 2009). “Once the pool was anywhere; it belongs
academic pressure. “I credit swimming for helping demonstrating diving techniques, and this was used heated it became a firm favourite in Johannesburg. to the University”.
me pass my second year of engineering. It served in coaching at Wits and throughout South Africa. In December 2003, we hosted the South African
to clear my head each morning and start the day University Games at the Wits pool – all the major Sources for this
out right,” says Tiisetso Murray (BSc Eng 2012, Sports writer Jonty Winch remembers taking South African universities came to Wits to compete feature included
HDipCompSci 2014). photographs of Springbok diver (and gymnast) in water polo, swimming, diving and synchronised books by Bruce
Linda von Broembsen (BPharm 1989) at the swimming. The amphitheatre had stands placed all K Murray, Jonty
That’s if you can handle the temperature. The pool is pool in 1989. “After her first dive she didn’t come along the fence and these were filled for most games Winch, Mervyn
notoriously cold, possibly because of its shale base up. I dashed across, somewhat terrified, as I am a as well as the evening galas. On the last day we had Shear and GR
and exposure to wind. In her book From Whiskey to hopeless swimmer. She eventually emerged amidst the mandatory freshman ‘maximum pain, maximum Bozzoli
Water, Sam Cowen (BA 1994) describes icy training blood, having cut her chin open on the bottom of the points’ belly flop competition and inter-university
sessions: “I don’t remember the last time I felt this pool.” fun swims to round out the competitive events.”
sorry for myself. … The cold hits me like a fist to my
stomach.” Baxter says that when heat pumps were A more recent diving star was Aquatics Club chair Baxter raised funds for a team trip to Australia
installed in the early 2000s, it was possible for more and Wits Sportsperson of the Year Tandi Gerrard by hosting parties with live student bands, quiz
Wits students, staff and alumni to enjoy the facility, (BPhysEd 2000). She moved to the UK in 2001, evenings and braais at The Wet Spot. “We had to
for recreation as well as competitive sport. But the competed in the Olympic Games for Britain and now really hustle to find the funding ourselves. Our men’s
cost of heating is now a problem. works for Diving Australia. polo team trained throughout winter.”
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3THE WITS SWIMMING POOL
Marissa Rollnick has
been a competitive
swimmer for decades
Image: Lyrr Thurston
D uring my first year I managed to persuade many
new students to join the club. To my surprise,
my enthusiasm led to me being made club captain,
make up the teams. However, our club became so
popular that girls who weren’t competitive swimmers
joined just to enjoy being part of the club. League
AQUACADE
and at 17 I became the youngest Wits first team swimming was every Friday night during summer.
captain in any sport. I also had the longest captaincy I instituted a post League match party after each
run: six years. Selecting teams was excellent training meet, usually at Pop’s, when our teams got together
for strategic planning in my future business career. for a sing-song. The team spirit and camaraderie was
F
“
or two consecutive years our team had band. Managing this project was a great lesson for Our difficulty was getting enough girl swimmers to fantastic. – Colin Benjamin (BSc 1960)
travelled to Lourenço Marques (LM), now me in planning, organisation and management.
called Maputo, in Mozambique, to swim
against the local LM team, Groupo di Sportivo. “Finally the day came and 60 Witsies descended
These tours were a blast and great fun. Life in LM on LM. I was particularly worried about the young
was much more permissive than in South Africa, freshmen on our team, who I feared would run amok
and we took full advantage of the exciting night life. at night, so I divided the whole touring group into
small teams and put a reliable senior in charge of
“For the next year I got the idea of putting on an each team.
Aquacade (pool show) in LM so that our whole club
could enjoy LM. One of our swimmers was Teresa “The Aquacade was performed for two nights in René van Honschooten
Image: Tiisetso Murray
Ferreira, who came from LM. She and I drove to front of capacity crowds who loved the Varsity spirit
LM to negotiate everything that was necessary to and joined in the fun. One of our swimmers, Jimmy
produce the Aquacade. She was supposed to be
my interpreter but was a very powerful personality
Sofianos, was an amazing clown diver. He was
extremely courageous and very funny on the board.
I t can be hard to squeeze in exercise along with
one’s studies, but by my second year I was running
regular half marathons, thanks to the Kudus. My
my fellow shallow-end swimmers. We discussed life,
love, and everything in between. The pool knew all
my secrets. I never did manage long-distance swims
and very often she just took over the negotiations. He really was the star of the show.
friend and classmate, René, then recommended like I did with running but I still love swimming
[Teresa Heinz Kerry, BA 1960, LLD honoris causa
we try out swimming before class. The secret about today as a result. And honestly, having swum in
2007, worked as a UN interpreter and later became “After the Aquacade, with the help of Teresa’s
swimming in the mornings was that it was a social swimming pools around the world, I’ve found nothing
a philanthropist and almost the First Lady of the father, we were given tents on a beautiful beach in
club. Swim to the deep end, swim back, take an quite as lovely as the Wits pool. – Tiisetso Murray
USA, as the wife of presidential candidate Senator São Martinho di Bilene. We had a wonderful three
extended breather and chat. I became friends with (BSc Eng 2012, HDipCompSci 2014)
John Kerry.] days there. A small group went off to scuba dive at
Inhaca. A unique and unforgettable experience.”
Image: Lyrr Thurston
“The Aquacade was a huge undertaking. We
planned for two complete swimming teams, two – Colin Benjamin (BSc 1960), Wits swimming
water polo teams, divers, clown divers, synchronized captain 1957/8 and recently retired Macsteel USA Jonathan
Padavatan
swimmers, drum majorettes and a university rock director is a regular
Scuba
course
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