Wits brings free Wi-Fi to public libraries in Johannesburg

Students and staff from all South African public universities can now access free WiFi even when they are outside of campus, at 36 libraries owned by the City of Johannesburg (CoJ).

This announcement, courtesy of Wits University, its technical partner, the Tertiary Education and Research Network of South Africa (TENET) and the CoJ, comes ahead of the 2025 new academic year.

According to a statement from Wits, their Eduroam connectivity service has been rolled out in public libraries in Johannesburg and will provide students, researchers and staff from all public universities with “secure wi-fi access, supporting learning, teaching, and research beyond the traditional campus setting”.

Students and staff can connect to the internet via Eduroam by downloading the “geteduroam” application from any app store, setting up their profile and login using their institutional credentials, that is their student/staff e-mail and password.

"By bringing eduroam to libraries, we are making a tangible difference in access to educational resources, especially for those without reliable internet at home," said Dr Stanley Mpofu, Wits' Chief Information Officer and Chair of Higher Education Information Technology South Africa (HEITSA) representing SA's 26 public universities.

The list of public libraries where the free WiFi can be accessed:

CoJ Blackheath Public Library

CoJ Boskruin Public Library

CoJ Bryanston Public Library

CoJ Coronationville Public Library

CoJ Eldorado Park Ext 5 Library

CoJ Emmarentia Public Library 

CoJ Emndeni Public Library

CoJ Florida Public Library

CoJ Glenanda Public Library

CoJ Ivory Park North Public Library

CoJ Ivory Park Public Library

CoJ Killarney Public Library

CoJ Lehae Public Library

CoJ Lenasia Ext 1 Public Library

CoJ Library Gardens

CoJ Mayfair Public Library

CoJ Newlands Public Library

CoJ Noordgesig Public Library

CoJ Norscot Manor Public Library

CoJ Parkhurst Public Library

CoJ Phiri Public Library

CoJ Pimville Public Library

CoJ Randburg Public Library

CoJ Rhodes Park Public Library

CoJ River Park Public Library

CoJ Rivonia Public Library

CoJ Roodepoort Public Library

CoJ Rosebank Public Library

CoJ Linden Public Library

CoJ Sandton Public Library

CoJ Westbury Public Library

CoJ Wilropark Public Library

CoJ Witpoortjie Public Library

CoJ Rosettenville Public Library

CoJ Sandringham Public Library

CoJ Rabie Ridge Community Library