Wits University: Leading Africa in global university rankings

Achille Mbembe: A Global Humanities Scholar at Wits

Among the distinguished scholars contributing to the University of the Witwatersrand's international reputation is Professor Achille Mbembe, one of the world's most influential contemporary thinkers in the humanities and social sciences.

Based at WiSER (the Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research), Mbembe's work has reshaped global debates on history, politics, decolonisation, democracy, memory, and the legacies of colonialism. His scholarship continues to influence academic, cultural, and public discourse across Africa and around the world.

In 2024, Mbembe was awarded the prestigious Holberg Prize, widely regarded as the equivalent of a Nobel Prize for the humanities and social sciences. The award recognised his groundbreaking contributions to understanding power, identity, inequality, and the future of democratic life.

As a leading intellectual voice from Africa, Mbembe's work exemplifies Wits University's commitment to producing knowledge that is globally relevant while deeply engaged with the challenges and possibilities of the African continent. - Full Article on IOL