Jewish professionals elected to Wits alumni committee

Jewish professionals Dr Jonathan Witt and Lesley-Anne Gatter have been elected to serve on the executive committee of convocation at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits).

Their election was announced on Thursday, 26 November, along with two other successful candidates. Witt and Gatter scored the highest number of votes respectively (the former coming first in the election), and are now part of the official body which represents the Wits convocation, the voice of the university’s alumni.

A total of 1 415 Wits graduates from around the world cast their ballots in this election.

Witt, a practitioner in the field of anaesthetics, has been on the convocation executive since 2014, and felt he could continue to add value for an additional term. He holds BA Honours and Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery degrees from Wits.

“I am a proud Witsie, and consider the impact the university has on our society to be vital,” he told the SA Jewish Report. “Many top business, legal, and medical minds are taught and trained at Wits, whereafter they go on to make substantial contributions to the better of our country and the world.”

He said any convocation member (which includes all Wits graduates) can stand for election when seats become available, or the terms of those on the committee come to an end. The process is as simple as submitting your name and a shortened resume.

“The role of the convocation executive is to provide a voice for alumni at the highest levels of the university,” Witt said. “I consider this to be my mandate as Wits navigates a changing world in the tertiary education space and otherwise.

“I’ve previously been involved with alumni outreach, university operations, marketing, and crisis management. I look forward to continuing in whichever capacity is required.”

Gatter joined Investec in 2006, and is today the head of people and organisation at the company. She holds a BA, honours and master’s in psychology from Wits, and is also a member of the Gauteng Council of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD).

“I chose to run as I have a desire to give back and contribute to building South Africa,” she said. “I believe that the university is a cornerstone of the depth, breadth, and epitome of all that’s possible in South Africa.

“I have wondrous memories of my time at Wits, and experienced my own transformation over many years in the cradle of the institution,” she says. “I have so much enthusiasm to contribute meaningfully to the university.”

Gatter said that her background had enabled her to acquire skills and experience in the areas of personal mastery and leadership, as well as to apply these in the context of the goals of transformation, equality, and diversity.

“I believe this would enable me to make a meaningful contribution to the work of Wits in its ongoing commitment to achieving these goals.”

Both Gatter and Witt believe that the Jewish community has a lot to contribute to the executive committee.

“The Jewish community has an illustrious history with Wits and has contributed greatly to the university over more than a century,” said Witt. “Equally, Wits has been an educational home for many of us, and maintaining the institution as a principled leader of knowledge in the global environment benefits us all.”

Said Gatter, “I’m dedicated to diversity, the pursuit of inclusion, and the depth that that cognitive diversity gives all processes, problem solving, and decision making.

“Diversity comes in many forms, and I believe we bring that diversity, that people of various backgrounds generate perspectives, considerations, and a consciousness that is the complexity we seek for bodies such as the convocation.”

Benji Shulman, the director of public policy at the South African Zionist Federation, has previously worked closely with Gatter, and is confident in her election.

“I’ve had the honour of working with Lesley-Anne on a number of community projects, and the way that she brings innovation and excellence to the table will stand her in very good stead for her position on the convocation,” he said.

“She will be able to make a huge contribution in the interest of the alumni of the university and to the university as a whole.

“From the community perspective, Wits has four Nobel Prize winners, three of whom are Jews and one of whom is Nelson Mandela. Lesley-Anne is in great company representing great alumni that have come out of the university and will continue to emerge from the university with the kind of good work I’m sure she will do.”

SAJBD National Director Wendy Kahn commended Witt and Gatter, saying that it was heartwarming to see members of our community taking such an active role in such an important university in our country.

“It’s important for us to take an interest in and commit to building these pivotal institutions to ensure that they continue to offer top-calibre education,” she said.

“We know that Lesley-Anne and Jonathan will make an important contribution to Wits during their terms on the convocation. We congratulate them and applaud their willingness to give of their time towards building Wits.”