The former Arts Faculty within which the School of Humanities was initially located was one of the first faculties to be created by the University at its establishment in 1916. Prof DDT Jabavu from the Department of African Languages in this Faculty was appointed as the first black  member of staff.

 The School of Humanities offers training in the humanities and languages and makes provision for both

undergraduate and advanced tuition in a variety of disciplines and specialities. The subjects offered are basic

to an understanding of human life and culture and therefore form the background for professional and other

persons in positions of leadership and influence in a wide variety of fields. Arts courses provide a general

education for all students and serve as an excellent preparation for specialization in any other discipline.