The Faculty of Education celebrated its 85th anniversary with several events that took place between Monday, 3 October and Friday, 7 October 2022. The  week-long celebration, which started with Faculty Research Day showcasing different research projects that academics are engaged in or that were recently completed, was followed by an awardsceremony during which we celebrated researchers who had excelled in the area of journal outputs and well as supervisors with the highest numbers of postgraduate students who had graduated in the minimum time.

At the Dean’s Concert held in the afternoon, our music students showcased their talents. Two years had passed since the Faculty had last presented this concert and the celebration was heart-warming.
On Tuesday the Faculty celebrated with the postgraduate students who were invited to attend the Research Indaba, during which they also presented their work. This was followed by another awards ceremony at which postgraduates received different awards in categories ranging from novice research (Abstract: post-proposal level); research in progress (Abstract: preliminary result level); completed research (Abstract: completed dissertation or thesis); best presentation; and most innovative methodology presentation.
As the celebration continued, we watched with great pleasure and excitement how more than 500 students made their contribution by engaging in different activities. Wednesday was dedicated to the students’ celebration of the Faculty milestone. The Faculty had entrusted the House Education Committee members with the responsibility to put together a programme for the students and they had organised an exciting programme that included sporting activities, board games and indigenous games.

The atmosphere was fun-filled as the students from different levels of study gathered at the Groenkloof Boma. Many students had the opportunity to meet their Dean for the first time and experienced exciting moments when he joined them in playing games, for example question-and-answer games, in which prizes could be won. This was followed by a photo session to capture memorable moments. As the end of the day approached, everyone was treated to ice cream and cotton candy.

What a night to remember! As the celebration continued, the Faculty hosted members of the University Executive and its external stakeholders at a gala dinner, which became a night of bliss. This was a closed event dedicated to the Faculty stakeholders who, over the years, had become an integral part of the Faculty’s success in teaching, learning and research.

Dignitaries who attended the event included the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor; Prof Jonathan Jansen, a distinguished professor of Education at Stellenbosch University and President of the Academy of Science of South Africa, who was also the guest speaker; Ms Michelle Mathey, Director of Teacher Education and Research in the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET); Ms Jenny Glennie, Executive Director of the South African Institute of Distance Education; and the newly appointed CEO of IEB, Ms Confidence Dikgole, who is also a member of Faculty of Education Advisory Board. Other dignitaries included representatives from national and provincial Departments of Basic Education (DBE), representatives from Wits University, education alumni, former deans, emeritus professors, current and former chairpersons of House Education, members of the University Executive and senior management, members of the Faculty Executive and management, as well as invited colleagues in the Faculty.

It was a night packed with much valuable information as Professor Johann Wassermann took the guests through the history of the Faculty. This was followed by congratulatory messages from different speakers. As the event drew to a close, the guests listened to a thought-provoking speech delivered by Prof Jonathan Jansen, for which he was thanked by Prof Themba Mosia. Guests where entertained by students and members of the Faculty’s music department, who performed a variety of musical genres to which some guests started dancing. It was indeed a memorable night for all those who celebrated with the Faculty.

The last day, Friday, was dedicated to staff celebrations that started with a fun walk in the morning and ended with festivities at the Boma. The Faculty Dean, Prof Chika Sehoole, welcomed those present and wished them an exciting day. Staff members participated in many different indigenous and board games,  sporting and other activities, which included the 30-seconds game, charades, netball, chess, hopscotch, mini-soccer, twister, dominoes and hula hoops, to name but some. This was a fun-filled event that was thoroughly enjoyed by all. A lunch-time picnic was catered for, and the staff also shared a celebration cake. All in all, it was a delightful day that enabled staff members to get to know each other better and also encouraged networking.