Wits rejects claims it is prioritising foreign lecturers over South Africans

Wits University has dismissed social media claims that it is hiring foreign nationals at the expense of qualified South Africans, amid growing debate over unemployment and the employment of international academics at the country's universities.

The university said claims circulating online that between 80% and 98% of its lecturers are foreigners, particularly from countries such as Nigeria and Zimbabwe, are false.

According to Wits, international staff make up only 9% of its total workforce.

“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%,” the university said.

The institution warned against the spread of misinformation, saying unsubstantiated claims about foreign employees could fuel division within communities and the country.

Wits stressed that its approach to internationalisation was not intended to undermine transformation or limit employment opportunities for South Africans.

“Our approach to internationalisation does not occur at the expense of transformation or the development and employment of South African talent,” the university said.

The institution said its goal was to maintain a balance between developing local leadership and attracting specialised global expertise where it is needed.

“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,” Wits said.

The controversy comes against the backdrop of South Africa's persistently high unemployment rate and increasing public scrutiny over whether employers are giving South Africans sufficient opportunities.

Questions around the employment of international academics have also surfaced at other higher education institutions, with universities often arguing that specialised skills, particularly in research-intensive fields such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics, may require recruitment beyond South Africa's borders.

Wits, however, maintains that the narrative suggesting foreign nationals overwhelmingly dominate its academic workforce is misleading, insisting that international staff represent a small portion of its employees.

The university has urged the public to refrain from sharing misinformation that could deepen tensions around nationality and employment in South Africa.