New Head of Origins Centre
- Wits University
Dr Tammy Hodgskiss Reynard, known as the ‘Ochre Lady’, assumes leadership of the Origins Centre as it celebrates 20 years.
Dr Hodgskiss Reynard has been appointed Head of the Origins Centre for a five-year term beginning 1 April 2026.
A Wits-trained archaeologist and heritage professional, she completed her PhD in archaeology in 2013 under the mentorship of Professor Lyn Wadley. Her research focuses on ochre and mineral pigment use in southern Africa’s Stone Age, and she is internationally recognised for her contributions to archaeological ochre studies. Over the course of her career, she has worked across leading heritage and research institutions, contributing to archaeological projects and public engagement initiatives locally and internationally.
Since 2018, she has served as curator of the Origins Centre, where she led public programming, exhibitions and educational initiatives. She has been instrumental in positioning the Centre as a dynamic space that bridges science and art. Tammy has also been Acting Head since November 2024, providing leadership during a period of growth and transition.
The Origins Centre is a museum and gallery that explores Africa’s deep past and celebrates the cultural and creative expressions of southern Africa’s people. It serves as a science communication hub where research, teaching and public engagement intersect. Under Tammy’s leadership, the Centre aims to strengthen its academic offerings, expand its science communication work and foster new collaborations. Her vision is to grow Origins as an innovative, multidisciplinary space that connects diverse audiences through research, storytelling and shared human histories.
Wits Communications asked her a few questions to get to know the person behind the accolades.
What inspired your career choice?
I entered the museum and heritage world through my love of archaeology. I’ve always enjoyed the sense of discovery, the outdoors and generally just playing in the sand, so when I came to Wits to study and had the chance to study archaeology, I jumped at it. I knew after my first year that this is what I wanted to do. My path into museums has been very organic – from studying old things and ancient mineral pigments, exploring (and enjoying) museums around the world, to connecting with people, learning different viewpoints, and experiencing new places.
Why should people visit the Origins Centre?
Origins is a beautiful and captivating museum and gallery. It presents narratives of the past, of southern African’s past, in such a visual and emotive way. It’s not just displays of things behind glass, but an experience of human stories and expression – bringing together the facts, artefacts and science with individual identity and moments of human’s amazing capacity for innovation and artistic expression. It’s a celebration of the people of southern Africa as well as an acknowledgment of the wrongs of the past that need to be healed.
What can we look forward to from Origins Centre in 2026?
Origins turns 20 this year, so we have great celebratory events planned, including talks and performances by some of the artists and people who made Origins the special museum it is, and connecting further with descendant and indigenous communities, as well as the Wits student community and the Wits Science Enterprises and Museums. We are just finishing up some awesome upgrades to the museum, including new lighting, projectors, and display cabinets, so the museum is looking amazing. We have 10 temporary exhibitions planned by artists, photographers, and Master's students which explore an assortment of themes. We’ll continue to offer curriculum-aligned guided tours, ochre painting workshops, lectures on human evolution, hands-on activities, and family days.
What are your priorities for the Centre over the next five years?
The Centre has so much to offer as a public-facing space at Wits that bridges the science and art realms. I hope to continue to grow dynamic museum offerings and programming for the public, showcasing Wits’ research and collections especially within archaeology, rock art heritage and the palaeosciences. 江城足球网ly, plans will be focused on increasing our science communication contributions and research outputs; I believe that developing and fostering collaborations and partnerships will be key factors in this.
April is Freedom Month, what does freedom mean in the context of Origins?
My birthday is on 27th April, and I love that it’s shared with South Africa’s Freedom Day. But for Origins, I think freedom of expression is a really important element. The centre hosts events, exhibitions and programming where people have the chance to express themselves, to voice different opinions and to create connections with others.
Your signature quote is memorable, what does it mean to you?
It says: You should never hesitate to trade your cow for a handful of magic beans
Tom Robbins, Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas.
Tom Robbins is one of my favourite authors and this quote just resonates with me. We should always be open to the potential of magical and unexpected things happening. Sometimes we need to take a risk or say yes to the unknown.
What do you enjoy outside of work?
Whew, trying to keep a good balance has been tricky in the last few years. My kids, Jasmine and Kei, are my main life focus – and they are ‘forced’ into my work world a lot. But outside of work, I really enjoying travelling when I get the chance – road tripping in SA, exploring little towns, seeing amazing views, rummaging around second-hand shops and finding nice rocks. I’m happy with the simple things – the chance sometimes to just sit and read or draw and not have to do anything, or spending time with family and friends.
Origins Centre - Operating Hours
Monday to Friday: 09H00 to 17H00
Saturday and Public Holiday: 09H00 to 16H00
Sundays: Closed