足球竞彩app排名 thoughts on 2026
- Wits University
What's top of mind for Witsies as they look ahead.
A new year brings with it an opportunity to reimagine ourselves and what we can contribute to this world. These changes need not be dramatic – most meaningful human achievements have unfolded slowly, shaped by time, and the persistent willingness to improve. Sometimes the changes that bring the most joy can be as simple as getting more sleep, spending less on take-aways, or spending more time with family.
We asked Witsies what’s on their minds as we start 2026. Here’s what they had to say.
Attention on what matters
Coleman Mathonsi, Lab Assistant
Mathonsi has declared 2026 as his “Year of Focus”.
Working with first-year Chemistry students has confirmed Mathonsi’s love for teaching. As such, in 2026 he wants to focus on improving his academic qualifications towards the goal of becoming a Senior Phase teacher.
In the four years that he has been at Wits, Mathonsi has been able to use his qualification in Biotechnology to support teaching and research by preparing experiments, maintaining equipment, and ensuring chemicals are handled safely.
“I really, really love to teach and I want to do more of that. I also want to continue to be useful to the institution, the students and my colleagues and help us to reach the goals set for this year.”
A Coach for Lawyers
Candice Burt, Lecturer and an academic at the Writing Centre
Burt is a cultivator of people and has invested years in helping lawyers and law firms to write in plain language. This is significant work as it helps young lawyers find their own voice in the complexities of law, which then helps to create transparency around decisions and information that impacts people’s lives.
This year, however, Burt also wants to spend more time in leadership coaching, having recently completed a master’s in this field at Stellenbosch University.
“I have a lot of things that I'd like to achieve in 2026. I want to be ‘the lawyer coach’ that people go to so I'm working on my skills and putting in the hours to achieve this.”
AI in Paediatrics
Professor Ashraf Coovadia, Academic Head of the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health
Coovadia has been working with children since 1998 and continues to maintain enthusiasm for his field.
“While most people go through highs and lows at work, the key is to continually look for projects and people to work with on those projects that stimulate you. Keep changing and look for innovation,” he says.
Top of his agenda this year is “to see how best I can help my colleagues progress in their careers, get promoted and get recognised for the work that they do.”
His other goal is to promote research into AI as it affects clinical care, exploring “how do we use AI in terms of managing patients, how do we use it in the training of doctors so they can be better doctors? I would like Wits to be at the forefront of AI research in various spheres. I would like to be one of those leading in the clinical sphere.”
This is in line with his research interest in HIV, Paediatric Emergency Medicine and Resuscitation and Mobile technology in the clinical space.
Choose High Hopes
Tsvakai Mary-Joyce Samakomva
‘MJ’ as she is affectionately known joined Wits in 2019 and is the Gauteng Provincial Coordinator of HI HOPES at the Centre for Deaf Studies.
While there are several things that she would like to achieve in 2026, her greatest wish is to see Witsies nominate High Hopes as the beneficiary on their Woollies app purchases.
“In our thousands, the nominations will be hugely helpful,” she says. “Our programme needs a lot of support through donations, and funds will assist the interventionists and Deaf mentors to travel and provide services to all the deserving families with Deaf children.”
MJ also intends to improve her sign language skills and enrol in leadership and project management courses so she can handle her duties better.
“My role mostly involves managing the early intervention programme, which provides support to families with Deaf and/or hard of hearing infants and children. Holistically, the programme provides intervention for social, emotional, language and communication development in the comfort of their homes. As a coordinator, I ensure that there is smooth flow of information between the organisation and the referral agents, between the families and the home interventionists and Deaf mentors, and between any professionals and stakeholders that are, and can be, involved with the families and the families themselves.”
Her overarching wish for Wits is to continue its legacy of diversity, equity, and inclusion.