Wits University Press

14/05/2025

It's time for the annual Franschhoek Literary Festival!
WHAT IS JEWISHNESS IN 2025?
Be sure not to miss Steven Friedman, author of 'Good Jew, Bad Jew' in conversation with Judge Dennis Davis and historian of antisemitism, Milton Shain, as they explore the present turbulence of diasporic Jewish identity.
Has one of the casualties of the October 7 and Gaza atrocities been the Jewish intellectual traditions of dissidence, tolerance, humanism and universalism? Can Jewish Zionists and anti-Zionists hear each other at all?

WHAT IS JEWISHNESS IN 2025?
16 May, 2025
14:30 - 15:30
NG CHURCH - Franschhoek
Book your tickets for this session here
https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/EventTicketTypes.aspx?itemid=1565228862

13/05/2025

Southern scholars have a story to tell! Publishing from the South: A Century of Wits University Presss how cases the strategies Wits University Press used to professionalise Southern publishing and support the missions of universities in the global South. Discover the politics of choosing Southern publishers over global North alternatives in this new volume. 📖

https://witspress.co.za/page/detail/?K=9781776149247

09/05/2025

WATCH HERE
Morning Live producer Lunga Dlamini and Video journalist Mpho Masela spoke to Professor Siphiwo Mahala at the newly re-opened Joburg City Library about how his new plays, House of Truth & Bloke and his American Bantu (Wits University Press) bring to life forgotten voices and iconic figures from South Africa's past.

Professor Siphiwo Mahala has just launched two powerful new books: "The Missing Pages" and "The House of Truth and Bloke and His American Bantu: Two Plays." ...

09/05/2025

INVITATION: Exclusive Books Rosebank - Dineo Skosana's NO LAST PLACE TO REST: Coal mining and dispossession.
In conversation with Mbuso Nkosi and Yvonne Phyllis.
Thursday 15 May - at 18:00 - see you there!

07/05/2025

Revolutionary Humanism and the Fight Against Oppression
Frantz Fanon’s legacy as a radical psychiatrist and revolutionary humanist continues to inspire movements fighting for racial justice and decolonization. In this introduction to his remarkable life, Nigel C. Gibson argues in his book, FRANTZ FANON: Combat Breathing, that Fanon’s ideas remain vital to understanding race and oppression today. His works, including Black Skin, White Masks, dissect the psychological effects of racism and colonization.
🌟 Discover how Fanon’s vision for a humane world continues to shape resistance movements worldwide in Frantz Fanon: Combat Breathing


https://www.witspress.co.za/page/detail/?K=9781776149346

06/05/2025

NEWS FLASH!
Wits University Press is very pleased to announce the appointment of Louis Gaigher as its new Commissioning Editor. Gaigher, who recently started in the position, brings a wealth of experience from his diverse roles in the publishing industry, including positions at UKZN Press and Penguin Random House, as well as his work as a freelance editor and project manager for various fiction and non-fiction publications.​In his new role, Gaigher will be instrumental in shaping the Press's publishing programme, focusing on acquiring and developing scholarly works that align with Wits University Press's mission to champion knowledge from and about Africa to both local and global audiences. ​

Publisher Veronica Klipp said, "We are delighted to welcome Louis Gaigher to the Wits Press team. His creative commissioning coupled with a commitment to scholarly excellence will be a great asset as we continue to grow and develop our publishing list."​

Gaigher's appointment comes at a significant time for Wits University Press, as it continues to build on its century-long legacy of publishing excellence. His expertise is expected to play a pivotal role in expanding the Press's reach and impact in the academic and literary communities.​

Wits University Press is dedicated to supporting top-quality research, sharing knowledge with the public, and promoting social justice through its publications. Adding Gaigher to the editorial team highlights this commitment and paves the way for future growth and fresh ideas.

05/05/2025

INVITATION - Online - Rhodes University Music Colloquium - 7 May 2025

On Wednesday 7 May 2025, musicologist and author Prof. Christine Lucia (Stellenbosch) will be sharing work from her new book, "The Times Do Not Permit: The Musical Life of Michael Mosoeu Moerane published by Wits University Press in 2024, in a talk entitled,
Out of Time: Moerane as (Music) History'.

The event will take place online and is open to all. To register,
complete the Google Form: https://forms.gle/dr6FVDtBy8zex8bS6

Rhodes University Music Colloquium, which is an online, open forum in which leading scholars are invited to share new and ground-breaking research.

05/05/2025

Prof Isabel Hofmeyr is the joint winner in the category for Honourary Mentions of the ASSAf (The Academy of Science of South Africa) Humanities Book Awards 2025. She was given this award for her book titled "Dockside Reading: Hydrocolonialism and the Custom House".
Find here more information and get your copy from online retailers. - https://www.witspress.co.za/page/detail/Dockside-Reading/?K=9781776147625
Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsDb4VW-nOM

Prof Isabel Hofmeyr is the joint winner in the category for Honourary Mentions ASSAf Humanities Book Awards 2025. This for her book titled "Dockside Reading:...

05/05/2025

If you're in or near Makanda this week, catch Prof Siphiwo Mahala at the launch of this book of plays, The House of Truth & Bloke and his American Bantu. More info below.

02/05/2025

How has Wits University Press helped amplify Southern scholarship? With contributions from black intellectuals and women writers, Publishing from the South reflects on 100 years of impactful publishing. Learn about the Press's journey and the future of Southern knowledge

Read more in Publishing from the South: A Century of Wits University Press a title featuring contributions from scholars, publishers and authors this multi-voiced volume offers a deep dive into the history, sociology and politics of the oldest South African university press. It explores the strategies deployed to professionalise global South knowledge making and supports the scholarly missions of their universities

30/04/2025

Frantz Fanon Combat Breathing by Nigel C Gibson

Revolutionary Humanism and the Fight Against Oppression

Frantz Fanon’s legacy as a radical psychiatrist and revolutionary humanist continues to inspire movements fighting for racial justice and decolonization. In this introduction to his remarkable life, Nigel C. Gibson argues that Fanon’s ideas remain vital to understanding race and oppression today. His works, including Black Skin, White Masks, dissect the psychological effects of racism and colonization.

🌟 Discover how Fanon’s vision for a humane world continues to shape resistance movements worldwide.

https://witspress.co.za/page/detail/Frantz-Fanon/?k=9781776149346