Witsie Forever

There are three kinds of students at Wits; the scientists, the politicians and the averages.  After Wits, the scientists, given their extreme journey of acclimatization into society, become less delusional, more socially functional and possibly find religion, or develop a relationship with a person who exists in reality.  The politicians find their political voice, continue to be recipients of a myriad of bursaries and opportunities reserved for the previously disadvantaged and hopefully will lead the country with the wisdom they gained from their practice sessions at this wonderful institution.  The averages become what the scientists once were, only more delusional; they dabble in bouts of erratic substance abuse, lose religion or start blogs- much like this one. They take their extra-mural activities more seriously as opposed to the degrees they are completing, and will hopefully contribute to the success of the economy by hopping onto that hamster wheel, commonly known as the workforce.

There are the exceptions, which remain consistent in their behavior but may delve deeper into who they are and realize that success is directly proportional to loving what you do.  But those are the exceptions; I do not know any of those people, because they are exceptionally rare.  The point is- once you leave Wits, you are much different to who you were when you arrived at Wits.  Which is expected; a lot can happen in 3+ years, a lot of traumatic things that can change a person.

Wits changes the things you value in life.  When my classmates and I finished our theses, we all took pictures of our massive files of research and loaded them onto Facebook.  Normal people do not do things like that.  Normal people do not weigh out the costs of watching a soccer game and reading articles for class.  Normal people do not spend weekends in libraries.  Normal people do not schedule time slots to wash their hair.  It is bad enough being a nerd, realizing it is worse, but out-nerding yourself is just tragic.  It happens to the best of us- it happens to Witsies.

My fondest memories are the ones from res.  When you live with strangers, it does not take too long for you to realize that murdering people because they are too loud is not justifiable, and earplugs are more ideal than prison.  But there are those situations, you did not see coming and before you know it, you have done something you will regret later.  For instance this one time, a drunk girl passed out on my bed.  The situation is this- I thought she had been attacked, so I let her into my room to wait while I got help.  As it turns out, drunk people do not look much different to people who were actually attacked, or maybe I just had not seen a drunk person that close before.

Then there are the "curiosity killed the cat" situations from which I never learn.  Long story short, my friend forced me to watch a video of a woman giving birth- changed my life.  I screamed louder than the woman in the video.  It did not help that my friend paused the video every time I looked away. No one, besides a medical doctor, should ever see that. 

There are the priceless moments, you only live through once.  Sometimes you are blessed and get to experience it twice, like the time(s) we got to watch the All Blacks practice in our yard (The rugby field outside our res, which we can look onto from our bedroom windows, is our yard).  I was lucky to catch them doing the Hakka- they were so intimidating, I almost fell over.  And all the times we were serenaded by an army of men- how many women get to say that?  At res, everyday is a slumber party.  You live with your friends and you stay up late having endless conversations, impromptu karaoke nights and 5 minute study breaks on the fire escape while basking in the presence of the Jozi skyline.  You are never lonely and you are always lucky to watch a game (soccer, cricket and rugby), Sunday movie nights, Idols and soapies (Generations) with an audience. 

As for the brilliant people I met along the way- philosophers, doctors (and dentists) mathematicians, actuaries, architects, accountants, lawyers, economists, engineers (chemical, civil, electrical, mechanical), actors, writers, marketers, artists, biologists, biochemists, pharmacists, scientists (all of them- the ones I mentioned and the ones I forgot to mention), bankers, risk managers, singers, designers, librarians, foreigners, Hindus, Jews, Hinjews, Cancerians, gamers, nerds, poets, elderly people, leaders, followers- those are phenomenal people, all with incredible dreams, radical beliefs and hopes for the future. They painted the most beautiful picture of South Africa I had ever seen.  I was grateful for the friendships that developed with some of these people and I am thrilled to share the company of these fascinating people for the rest of my life. 

Speaking of friends- I remember the day I was dubbed an athlete.  The task of stealing a New Zealand flag hanging on someone’s car was set before me.  It was the year of the rugby world cup, and the challenge was proposed by two friends who agreed that the presence of the flag was unpatriotic.  I was about to pull the flag off and just in time, my friends said, "Ok! Woah woah woah!  It’s fine you’re an athlete you don’t have to do it." You see, I did not get the flag but I was an athlete by virtue of being willing to do the task.    

Us Witsies are often mistaken for being arrogant.  But if you had to measure all the times we faced a near-failure experience and the thousands spent on our "superior" education, coupled with all the times we should have shit ourselves but did not because we were holding onto whatever dignity we had left by a tether; then it is easier to understand the boldness that comes with conquering the edge.  I remember the time I faced my economics marks on the notice board.  I bore no significant emotions and ever since then I have been indifferent about marks.  The lesson is, once you hit rock bottom, you realize that it is just not worth it getting worked up over things of which you have no control.  Also, one can only fall asleep in economics so many times before you realize such greatness has not been thrust upon you.  Besides, when you arrive at Wits, lecturers tell you, "What kind of institution would this be if we had to hand out degrees on silver platters?" Or, "If you are here to get a job, then you are here for the wrong reasons.  You might as well leave and get a job now, because this is a research institution.  We equip students to do ground breaking things, not to find jobs." 

That sums it all up actually.  Imagine you have a five year plan which you strongly believed in and chose to conform to with everything in your power, and then imagine you stumble onto a piece of information that reveals the reality of that plan.  That is Wits- it pulls the rug out from underneath that plan and unearths parts of you, you did not know existed.  You can no longer  adhere to that five year plan, because that would be foolish.  You have to be greater.  You have to be bolder.  And the only direction you can see yourself moving from this point, is upwards.  Towards glory.  You cannot settle for anything less.

The scientists, the politicians and the averages have all learnt the hard way that being exceptional, is exceptional; but possible.  Until then- Challenge Accepted.  I am grateful for my years at Wits and there is just not enough time to write up all the details of my experience, but I carry these memories in my heart.  You have to have your own experience to truly understand the value of being a Witsie, and I was privileged to have that opportunity. 

#RespectTheEdge