The passing of Dr Kgomotso Kasonkola
- Wits University
It is with great sadness that the University announces the passing of Dr Kgomotso William Kasonkola, the Senior Director of Human Resources at Wits University.
He passed away today, 6 September 2024, after a short period of illness. We extend our deepest sympathies to his colleagues, family and friends, and those who knew him well.
Dr Kasonkola led the HR portfolio with integrity and passion, throughout his 13 years at Wits. During this time, he contributed towards the University’s effectiveness and sustainability, and stewarded Wits’ HR policies, systems, training, and recruitment processes. He built important relationships with all stakeholders, and was pivotal in all engagements with organised labour, especially on matters related to remuneration and benefits, and people and organisational development.
Prior to joining Wits, Dr Kasonkola gained vast experience in academia during his nine years at the Vaal University of Technology. He also served as the Director: Human Resources at the Department of Trade and Industry, and as a lecturer in industrial psychology at the then University of Bophuthatswana.
His experience was steeped in his deep knowledge of Human Resources, his ability to understand people, systems and large organisations, and to bring them together in meaningful ways, to advance institutions. A registered industrial psychologist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa, Kgomotso held a Master’s degree in Industrial and Organisational Psychology from the University of Cape Town (1993) and obtained his PhD in Organisational Behaviour from the University of Pretoria in 2011 for his thesis titled Criteria for Workplace Effective Mobility of Employees with Disabilities in South Africa.
Dr Kasonkola chaired the Human Resources Directors’ Forum, a community of practice under the auspices of Universities South Africa (USAf) and represented this body at the HR Steering Committee of the Association of Commonwealth Universities. He was also a member of USAf’s HR and Remunerations Committee and served as a Board Member of the South African Human Rights Commission. He served on several medical aid and provident fund boards, supervised masters students at VUT, served as an external examiner for its HR programmes, and worked with students at the Wits Business School.
Dr Kasonkola will be missed by his colleagues and friends at Wits University. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time. May he rest in peace.
The University will share details related to Dr Kasonkola’s funeral and memorial service as they become available.
Senior Executive Team