UNIVERSITY CAMPAIGNS

Wits University

Wits University is located in the heart of South Africa’s extractive economy. Since 2020, we’ve been liaising with and supporting Wits stakeholders in efforts to advance divestment by this key institution.

FOSSIL FREE WITS

Calling on Wits University to embrace climate justice

  • Divest from fossil fuels.
  • Decarbonise campus.
  • Offer fossil fuel-free pension options .
  • Focus on climate in teaching and research.
Sign the Fossil Free Wits petition
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SAYING NO TO FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY CAPTURE OF ACADEMIA

Our aims and brief history

We want to expand social leadership by Wits to addressing the global climate emergency and the now-disastrous impacts of continued fossil fuel use on human health, human rights and human development. There is no context in which this mission is more urgent than the global climate emergency.

The Fossil Free Wits campaign began in 2021 with a call on the university to properly integrate climate issues into its Wits 2033 Strategic Framework.

The campaign has been mostly led by Wits academics, with support from Fossil Free South Africa.

We’ve prepared an extensive list of questions and answers; hopefully this will help, but please feel free to get in touch if not.

Key quotes

Institutions that continue to invest in fossil fuels despite all the evidence of their effect on accelerating climate change are furthering environmental, economic and social injustice. 

– Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu

As a leading university in Africa, Wits must lead by example and use its influence to transform society through its leadership, education, and research.

– Wits Vice Chancellor Zeblon Vilakazi