By Mapaballo Borotho
- Wits University has dismissed viral claims that 98% of its staff are foreign nationals.
- The university says international employees account for 9% of its workforce and that its hiring approach does not come at the expense of South African talent.
- The institution has urged the public to stop sharing what it describes as misinformation.
Wits University has dismissed claims that have been making rounds on social media that 98% of its staff are foreign nationals.
The claims allege that the learning institution is overlooking qualified South Africans for jobs, despite international employees accounting for just 9% of its workforce.
The Johannesburg-based university was responding to claims circulating on social media that it was prioritising foreign nationals over South African citizens, particularly unemployed graduates.
“Wits is aware of fake news being shared regarding the number of international staff employed at the University. The total number of international staff is in fact 9%. Please refrain from sharing misinformation which seeks to sow division in our community and our country,” the university said in a media statement.
The institution added that its approach to hiring international lecturers does not come at the expense of transformation and the employment of South African talent.
“Our objective is therefore neither localisation nor internationalisation in isolation, but a strategically balanced institution that develops South African leadership while drawing on the very best expertise available globally, where necessary.”
In South Africa, there have long been concerns that some institutions and industries prioritise foreign academics while overlooking South Africans, even when they are qualified for certain positions.
Responding to these concerns earlier this year, Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela cautioned against a debate that has become clouded by vague categories, misinformation and disinformation, while reaffirming that the laws governing the employment of foreign nationals are non-negotiable.
Meanwhile, Wits University was ranked the number one university in Africa in the 2026 Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) in June.
The tertiary institution also ranked 200th globally out of 21,291 universities, placing it among the top 1% of universities worldwide.
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