The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, also known as Wits University, is a leading, internationally-ranked, research-intensive university located in Johannesburg, South Africa, the economic heartland of Africa. Committed to academic and research excellence and social justice, Wits generates high level scarce skills for a globally competitive world, while addressing local social and economic development. At the forefront of a changing society, Wits is a social leader, dedicated to advancing the public good.
Wits is known for its work in deep level mining, science, health sciences, accountancy, law, governance, and the humanities, amongst others. It houses five faculties which comprise 34 schools. Wits offers approximately 3 600 courses to about 32 500 full-time students, of whom about a third are postgraduate and 55% are female. Almost 65% of all doctoral candidates and about half of all enrolments are in the Science, Engineering and Technology fields. Wits has developed about 130 000 graduates in its 93 years of existence. It has a proud record in that about 87% of all publications are in accredited international journals.
Between the 10th and 15th centuries, the gold market boomed, especially in Egypt, Persia, India and China. Southern Africa played a crucial role in meeting demand.
Peregrine falcons have dark stripes under their eyes, thought to reduce sun glare. But in other falcon species these markings are unrelated to sunlight.
The International Court of Justice is hearing testimony from climate crisis-affected nations and will issue the first ever legal advice on governments’ legal obligations to prevent climate change.
Voters queuing at a polling station in Matatiele, Eastern Cape, South Africa in May 2024.
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South Africa’s 2024 election was characterised by a shift in power and new threats to democracy – despite the majority still opting for the political centre.
Les hommes africains présentent un risque élevé de cancer de la prostate. La recherche a mis en évidence des régions génétiques associées à cette maladie.
A protest in Baku, Azerbaijan during COP29 in November 2024.
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At the 2024 global UN climate change summit, COP29, African countries failed to secure the US$1.3 trillion in climate finance that they need every year to adapt to climate change disasters.