The air at Wits University is thick with celebration as the 2026 autumn graduation season officially kicks off. Between 18 and 27 March, the university will host 20 ceremonies to honor the hard work and resilience of 5,565 graduands who have successfully pushed beyond their limits to earn their degrees.
This season serves as a powerful reminder of the university’s “Wits. For Good” ethos, marking a transition for thousands of students as they move from the classroom into impactful global careers.
Honoring a Global Visionary: Sir John Wilfred Lazar
A major highlight of this season is the conferment of an honorary doctorate in Science in Engineering upon distinguished alumnus Sir John Wilfred Lazar on 27 March.
Sir John is a globally renowned Rhodes Scholar and technology leader who led Metaswitch to a high-profile acquisition by Microsoft. Beyond his corporate success, he is a dedicated advocate for African innovation, co-founding Enza Capital to fund high-impact tech startups across the continent. Knighted in 2025 for his services to engineering, his return to Wits as an honorary graduate provides immense inspiration to the Class of 2026.
“Graduation is a powerful reminder of what it means to push beyond limits and emerge stronger on the other side,” said Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, Wits Vice-Chancellor and Principal.
Graduation by the Numbers
The autumn ceremonies are meticulously managed by the Exams and Graduations Office, spanning multiple faculties:
| Faculty | Number of Graduands |
| Commerce, Law, and Management | 2,019 |
| Humanities | 1,306 |
| Engineering and the Built Environment | 1,183 |
| Science | 1,057 |
Note: The Faculty of Health Sciences will hold its primary celebrations during the July and December cycles.
