Honouring a lifetime of dedication
- Wits University
It was a bittersweet retirees’ celebration – emotional on the one hand and celebratory on the other.
Dozens of Wits staff members born in 1960 gathered over lunch in the Tapestry Room in the Origins Centre on Thursday, 30 October 2025, for a special celebration to mark the start of a new chapter in their lives – retirement. From musicians to health sciences researchers and security personnel to journalism lecturers, the room was filled with nostalgia, gratitude and laughter.
The Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic, Professor Ruksana Osman, addressed the retirees and said: “This is, in some ways, a sad moment - leaving behind a University that may not be perfect, but that has been home to many of us for many years,” she said. “This is a small gesture to say thank you for the very big contribution that each one of you has made to Wits.”
She reminded them that each of them was special and thanked them for the immense contribution that they made to Wits. Each retiree was presented with a certificate which was a symbolic token of appreciation and a reminder of their time at Wits.
Meet the Retirees
In his address, Professor Garth Stevens, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: People, Development and Culture said: “As we bid farewell to our colleagues, we do so with deep gratitude and admiration. We are really here to celebrate your time at Wits and to formally bid you farewell. As you move on to a new chapter, know that your work here has left a lasting imprint – not just in files and records, but in the relationships that you have built and the lives that you have touched.”
He bade farewell to professional and administrative staff: “Behind every successful lecture, research project, and student achievement stands the quiet efficiency, care, and commitment of our administrative staff. Your professionalism, patience and attention to detail have been the backbone of this institution. To professional
He expressed deep appreciation to academics for their “legacy of inquiry, mentorship and unwavering dedication to scholarship,” adding that they form “the fabric of this institution.” Stevens said: We thank you for your years of service, your integrity and the example that you have set for all who follow. May this new phase bring you the same curiosity, joy and purpose that have guided your career.”
A time for reflection and renewal
Osman encouraged retirees to take time to rest and to reflect before deciding what comes next. “For many of you, the rhythm of daily work has been part of your life for decades. Take time out to think about what you want to do and how you want to spend your time,” she advised.
Osman also spoke about the enduring connection that binds Witsies together.
“You started at different times, but you have shared similar experiences. Look after yourselves, speak well of Wits, and keep it in your heart for as long as you can. The gap you leave is huge but we hope that it will be a smooth transition, and an opportunity to embrace what lies ahead,” she said.
A shared milestone
All attendees shared a special bond: each was born in 1960 – this common thread started many conversations of lives intertwined with the history and spirit of Wits University.