After eight years at the helm, Wits University‘s vice-chancellor (VC) Adam Habib will be leaving the institution at the end of 2020.
A statement released from Wits said that Professor Habib has accepted an offer to fill the vacancy of director at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, England.
Chairperson of Wits University’s Council Isaac Shongwe congratulated Habib on his 2021 appointment, “Please join me in congratulating Professor Adam Habib on his appointment. He is a dynamic leader, who has without a doubt made a significant contribution to Wits and the higher education sector, both locally and abroad. His fearless, forthright commentary and his general robustness has left our university, and South Africa, a richer intellectual space, for which we are grateful.”
ALSO READ: Professor Adam Habib resigns as vice chancellor of Wits
The news surprised many and conversations reflecting on Habib and his term as vice-chancellor at Wits carried on since. Habib was never shy to engage with students, colleagues of general public on public platforms such as Twitter. Let’s take a look at what those on Twitter had to say about Habib’s resignation, his time at Wits and what this could mean for the country.
Here’s what Twitter users had to say…
Wow! Adam Habib (@AdHabb) steps down from Wits at the end of the year and takes up the position as director of SOAS, the School of Oriental and African Studies in London. Good one, Prof.
— Ferial Haffajee (@ferialhaffajee) February 18, 2020
Adam Habib will be remembered as one of our most courageous Vice-Chancellors who dared to stand up to cheap populism on campus with principled arguments. Congratulations on the SOAS job!
— Jonathan Jansen (@JJ_Stellies) February 18, 2020
Habib Officially Resigns as our VC 🙌🏾
I am not going to sit here & lie like some will do about how great he was.I will not forget how unapologetic he was about the decisions he made during fees must fall. How he views protests as a criminal activity & he protects WMC!!! pic.twitter.com/MzpoLzghIp
— Melanin_Mmaps (@Melanin_Mmaps) February 18, 2020
I won’t miss Adam Habib.
He reduced standards at Wits. He oppressed students. Business school is a disaster zone.
He can go to London.
— Africa Research Desk (@MightiJamie) February 18, 2020
Professor Adam Habib @AdHabb @WitsUniversity is one of the brilliant and valuable South Africans. He will definitely fly the South African flag 🇿🇦 with distinction @SOAS @SOASalumni
— The Wandile Zulu Foundation (@WandZFoundation) February 19, 2020
Adam Habib(+team) kept Wits amongst the top universities in Africa and the world, despite leading during a period of large structural changes in the education ecosystem. It’s a solid foundation for the next VC to work with .
— Usi Riise (@LLOYDNEDOHE) February 18, 2020
https://twitter.com/MelusiMaposa/status/1229718066486968320?s=20
https://twitter.com/Unathi_Kwaza/status/1229762565112242178
https://twitter.com/W_H3is3nberg/status/1230021343011311616?s=20
