In the heart of Wits University, right in the golden city of Johannesburg, something simple yet so powerful took place. Africans For Peace in collaboration with The W— a student movement dedicated to Witsies’ well-being— brought in three towering letters that spelled ‘I AM’ and asked students to write one word that describes them, in order to complete the sentence: “I am…”
Armed with different coloured markers, the students stepped up. They inscribed their names, affirming words, and venting words. No matter the choice, every Witsie who walked up to those three letters lifted their marker, feeling a strong sense of expression. For some, it was a layered thinking process— they paused, stared at the letters, and confessed that it was difficult to choose just one word. And that was part of the magic. The letters were not just an art piece; they provided a platform for an introspective journey that nudged students to take a moment and see themselves, maybe for the first time, outside the roles of student, classmate, or roommate.
What began as a simple activation evolved into a profoundly moving experience. Students passing between lectures and tutorials, on their way to lunch or to study at the library, stopped to write something that resonated with them. Many lingered, some returned more than once, reflecting new words that resonated with them on different days. There were quiet tears and laughs. A few students taped their responses for personal vlogs and reference. Several told us how the moment made them feel seen in a way that academic life often forgets to allow.
In a time of high stress, when academic and emotional pressures were mounting, the ‘I AM’ campaign offered something rare and healing. We took affirmation to Wits University with three simple letters.
