Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research researchers reflect on the rich history and character of Johannesburg

Summary: Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research researchers reflect on the rich history and character of Johannesburg

By Edward Tsumele | CityLife Arts | 20 October 2026 | Link to Original Article

The article reflects on the 25th anniversary of the Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research (WiSER) and Johannesburg’s 140th anniversary, exploring the relationship between the city’s development and the research that has helped shape its history and identity.

Established in 2001 at the University of the Witwatersrand, WiSER has played an important role in advancing knowledge about Johannesburg’s social, economic, political and cultural transformation. The institute has hosted approximately 750 seminars, 430 public events and 150 collaborations, published around 1,000 books, and supported 50 doctoral fellows.

During a commemorative seminar, current and former WiSER researchers, including Professors Sarah Nuttall, Hlonipha Mokoena, Isabel Hofmeyr and Jonathan Klaaren, reflected on their experiences of Johannesburg and how the city has influenced their research and professional lives.

The discussion highlighted Johannesburg’s evolution from a settlement established following the discovery of gold in 1886 into a major African centre of commerce, education, finance and culture. However, the city remains characterised by sharp contradictions. Alongside economic opportunity, prestigious institutions and vibrant cultural spaces, Johannesburg faces persistent challenges such as crime, corruption, inequality, informal settlements, infrastructure problems and electricity disruptions.

Through personal anecdotes and scholarly reflections, the researchers illustrated how Johannesburg can be experienced differently depending on where people live, their social circumstances and how others perceive them. Their accounts demonstrated that the city cannot be understood through negative stereotypes or economic statistics alone.

The article emphasises that Johannesburg’s identity is continually shaped by the experiences of its residents, migrants, researchers, artists and storytellers. WiSER’s research contributes to preserving and interpreting these diverse experiences, offering insights into the city’s complex past, present realities and possible futures.

Key takeaway

The article celebrates WiSER’s contribution to understanding Johannesburg as a city of contradictions, resilience and possibility. As the institute marks 25 years, it highlights the importance of research, literature, history and public dialogue in documenting the city’s evolving identity and deepening understanding of its social and economic complexities.