The Division of Rheumatology at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) provides services across three academic hospitals: Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH), Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH), and Helen Joseph Hospital (HJH). In addition, the division offers outreach services to Sebokeng Hospital and Bertha Gxowa Hospital.

Prof. Nimmisha Govind served as the Clinical Head of Rheumatology at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital and as the Academic Head of Rheumatology at Wits since 2018. The division is staffed by nine rheumatologists (six at CHBAH, four at CMJAH, and two at HJH), two fellows, as well as rotating registrars and medical officers.

Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the division performed commendably during the period 2020–2025. During this time, Prof. N. Govind was promoted to Associate Professor. Professor Tikly was awarded the Master of Rheumatology by the American College of Rheumatology. In addition, Nirvana Bharuthram and Ling Winchow received Best Poster Awards at the Wits Research Day in 2024.

The division initiated the first Wits Rheumatology Masterclass in 2019 and has since hosted three additional masterclasses, all of which were well attended by Wits trainees and registrars from other universities. We also conducted a musculoskeletal ultrasound course and four masterclasses for medical registrars. Since 2020, nine fellows have graduated as rheumatologists.

The department's research portfolio remains strong, with one PhD and multiple MMed degrees completed over the past five years. The division has maintained excellent publication output in both local and international peer-reviewed journals and has sustained existing collaborations while establishing new national and international partnerships.

A key strength of the division is the commitment of its rheumatologists to the hospital, university, Colleges of Medicine, and the South African Rheumatism and Arthritis Association (SARAA), as evidenced by their active participation on multiple committees. Faculty members have diverse research interests and have developed and maintained international collaborations. The division also demonstrates strong leadership capacity, with four members serving as Heads of General Medical Units and three as Rheumatology Divisional Heads.