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 Diary of a UJ @20 student

by[ Enziwe Bhembe]

 

The formation of UJ

20 years ago, the Orange Army was founded. The University of Johannesburg was born with a vision of being one of the best universities in the country, and it has excelled beyond its goals and mission.

UJ was born or established on 1 January 2005 through the merger of Rand Afrikaans University (RAU), Technikon Witwatersrand (TWR), and the Soweto and East Rand campuses of Vista. The two birds facing one another represent the union between the two respected institutions that brought a new and powerful force. They represent freedom, which is the freedom to live your potential and to explore every possible experience at the University of Johannesburg. It also inspires you to reach for the sky. The University of Johannesburg has four campuses, which are Auckland Park Kingsway, Auckland Park Bunting Road, Doornfontein, and Soweto campus. Every campus offers specific courses, which determine where your studies will take place. UJ has been visited by people with power, knowledge, and influence, such as the visit by U.S. President Barack Obama in 2013. This inspired and influenced a lot of young African leaders as he engaged in discussions on the economy, trade in Africa, and U.S. foreign policy. During his visit, he received an honorary doctorate from the university.

Celebrating 20years

 

When life took a turn

When I first arrived at UJ, I was so excited and confident, even though the gigantic campuses, many different people from different backgrounds and races, and also the atmosphere of campus life, could be overwhelming. My first day felt somewhat like the first day in high school, where you try to make new friends. The only difference is that this time around, the friends you need are not just for socialising, but they should be friends who can have a positive impact in terms of helping each other academically.

My experience at UJ has been great and also challenging. The institution's energy has challenges, but it also gives you tools to navigate through those challenges and rise above them. Since my first year in 2023, I have grown in ways I never expected and learnt a lot about things I did not know about myself. That year broke me down, but I managed to bounce back the following year and became a better person for myself and the people around me. Now in 2025, I am a stronger person who has so much confidence and faith in everything I do. Things do not always go my way, and that is okay because I am not alone.

In terms of academics, UJ has pushed me to be a very innovative person and a critical thinker. It helped me with my academic growth as I am now able to complete tasks on time and also think fast in situations where I need to come up with an answer quickly. The learning development programme offered by UJ is the one that has shaped me to be the person that I am academically. Growth grows beyond the lecture halls. UJ's values are not just given but earned through the activities that take place in the university and also through its services. UJ usually has campus events to entertain students, and also student societies.

One of the services that plays a significant role for many students is the PsyCAD. These support services have helped many students, including myself, as they provide mental health support by having psychological sessions with a psychologist. This has helped me with my mental wellness and dealing with traumas from my childhood.

uj psycad - Google Search There are also Community Engagement projects, which show how UJ is committed to making a difference in communities. Being part of a University like UJ is so inspiring as it sees itself as an evolving organism serving humanity through collaboration and innovation.

 

As UJ celebrates its 20th anniversary, I have so much pride in being involved in the anniversary celebration, which has been the moment so far. As the University of Johannesburg boldly enters into its second decade, I am hoping that more exciting things will happen and more students will be given the platform to grow and make a change in the country and in the world.