The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) is at the forefront of groundbreaking research into one of Africa's most pressing challenges: urban migration and the future of its cities. Through its African Centre for Migration & Society (ACMS), Wits is launching the Atlas of Uncertainty: Transforming African Cityscapes, a pioneering interdisciplinary project that redefines how we understand human mobility in rapidly evolving urban environments. This initiative not only highlights Wits' leadership in migration studies but also positions the university as a key player in shaping global conversations on urban futures.
Africa's urban landscape is transforming at an unprecedented pace, with cities like Johannesburg serving as hubs for migrants reconfiguring social, economic, and cultural fabrics. The Atlas project emerges from this dynamic context, offering fresh insights that could influence policy, planning, and academic careers in higher education across South Africa.
🌍 Origins and Launch of the Atlas of Uncertainty at Wits
The Atlas of Uncertainty officially launches with an exhibition at Wits' Origins Centre on 18 April 2026, running until 3 July 2026. This event marks a milestone for Wits, showcasing the university's commitment to innovative, boundary-pushing research. The accompanying book, published by Actar and Wits Press, will hit shelves in January 2027, while a digital platform and travelling exhibitions in Accra, Nairobi, and Amsterdam extend its reach in 2027.
Originating from collaborations between Wits' ACMS and the Oxford/Wits Mobility Governance Lab, the project flips traditional narratives. Rather than viewing migrants as burdens on cities, it portrays them as active city-makers navigating uncertainty productively. This perspective is particularly relevant for South African universities grappling with the realities of internal and continental migration flows.
For aspiring researchers and academics, projects like this underscore the value of interdisciplinary approaches at institutions such as Wits. Explore higher education jobs in migration studies to contribute to such transformative work.
Understanding Urban Migration Dynamics in Africa
Africa's urban population is projected to double from around 700 million to 1.4 billion by 2050, fueled predominantly by internal and intra-continental migration. Contrary to popular belief, 80% of African migrants remain on the continent, with most moving within their own countries or to nearby urban centers like Johannesburg, Accra, and Nairobi. These cities act as gateways where journeys are rarely linear—people cycle through opportunities, dreams, and setbacks.
In Johannesburg, immigrants comprise a significant portion of the metro's population, with Stats SA reporting 27% of national immigrants residing there. Similar patterns emerge in Accra and Nairobi, where gateway neighborhoods like Madina, Old Fadama, Kawangware, and Kayole host diverse migrant communities surveyed for this project. These statistics highlight why Wits' research is crucial for South African higher education, informing everything from urban planning to public health policies.
- Africa's urban growth rate: Highest globally, absorbing 80% of demographic increase by 2050.
- Intra-African migration: Dominant form, often uncounted due to circular patterns.
- South Africa specifics: Gauteng (including Johannesburg) top destination for 25%+ of immigrants.
The Role of Wits' African Centre for Migration & Society
ACMS at Wits stands as Africa's premier hub for migration research and teaching, producing interdisciplinary work that influences policy continent-wide. From health impacts of EU-AU migration corridors to xenophobia dynamics, ACMS outputs shape global discourse. The Atlas builds on this legacy, integrating ACMS expertise with artistic expression to capture 'circulations of moralities, ideas, and imaginations' beyond mere physical moves.
Wits students and faculty benefit from real-world engagement, with opportunities in MA/PhD programs on migration and displacement. This project exemplifies how South African universities foster careers in global challenges research—check university jobs in South Africa for openings at ACMS and similar centers.
Key Visionaries: Loren B. Landau and Caroline Wanjiku Kihato
Leading the charge are Loren B. Landau, Research Professor at ACMS and Professor of Migration and Development at Oxford, and Caroline Wanjiku Kihato, ACMS Research Associate and Oxford Visiting Fellow. Landau, cited over 8,000 times, emphasizes new vocabularies for mapping dreams and moral flows: "We needed new maps."
Kihato, an urban sociologist and migrant herself, advocates pausing interventions to uncover invisible ecosystems: "Africa has never been certain about anything, except uncertainty." Their dual Wits-Oxford affiliation exemplifies international collaboration in South African higher ed, inspiring postdocs and lecturers—see postdoc positions.
Photo by Artyom Korshunov on Unsplash
Innovative Methods: From Surveys to Sensory Cartography
The Atlas employs surveys from gateway neighborhoods (e.g., 581 in Accra's Madina/Old Fadama/Jamestown; 548 in Nairobi's Kawangware/Kayole), blending quantitative data with qualitative essays, poetry, soundscapes, and art. It shifts 'from census to senses,' visualizing clan networks via WhatsApp in Johannesburg's Somali areas or witchcraft's role in Nairobi residency.
This step-by-step approach—(1) ethnographic fieldwork, (2) data analysis by experts like Kabiri Bule, (3) artistic interpretation by 30+ creators—offers replicable models for Wits students in research methods courses.
Artistic and Digital Innovations in Migration Research
Over 30 artists from across Africa contribute, including curator Carina Kanbi (Wits PhD candidate) and designers Fred Swart and Naadira Patel. Highlights: a fluid fish artwork symbolizing family reconfiguration; papier-mâché canoes from Nairobi posters evoking spectral migration. The digital platform (atlasofuncertainty.com) features interactive cartography by Columbia's Laura Kurgan.
Such fusion elevates Wits' creative research profile, opening doors for interdisciplinary careers. Aspiring academics can draw inspiration for portfolios via academic CV tips.
Implications for Policy, Urban Planning, and Higher Education
By framing uncertainty as a 'way of being,' the Atlas challenges failed interventions, urging policies that harness migrants' city-making. For Johannesburg, it spotlights invisible infrastructures amid Stats SA's 5.1% immigrant population. Globally, African cities model adaptation for unstable futures.
In South African higher ed, it boosts Wits' rankings and attracts funding, signaling demand for research jobs in migration and urban studies. Stakeholders from government to NGOs can access insights for equitable urban growth.
Wits University Article | Atlas Website | ACMS SiteUpcoming Exhibitions, Book, and Global Reach
Post-Johannesburg, exhibitions tour Accra, Nairobi (2027), and Amsterdam, amplifying Wits' influence. The book integrates all elements, becoming a staple in university libraries worldwide. Digital access ensures broad dissemination, fostering virtual collaborations for Wits researchers.
This trajectory highlights opportunities for South African colleges in hosting similar exhibits, enhancing student engagement.
Career Opportunities in Migration and Urban Studies at Wits
The Atlas exemplifies Wits' vibrant ecosystem for migration scholars, from PhDs to postdocs. ACMS offers MA in Migration and Displacement, preparing graduates for roles in policy, NGOs, and academia. With Africa's urban boom, demand surges for experts—Wits alumni lead globally.
- Postdoctoral fellowships at ACMS.
- Lecturer positions in social sciences.
- Research assistantships on mobility governance.
Visit AcademicJobs South Africa or faculty jobs to apply. For advice, see higher ed career advice.
Photo by Pawel Czerwinski on Unsplash
Future Outlook: Wits Leading Africa's Urban Research Agenda
As African cities pioneer uncertainty navigation, Wits' Atlas positions South African higher education centrally. It calls for sustained investment in interdisciplinary hubs like ACMS, promising actionable insights for sustainable urbanism. Engage via Rate My Professor for Wits faculty insights, higher ed jobs, or university jobs. This project not only remaps migration but charts exciting paths for researchers and cities alike.