South Africa’s first black female nuclear scientist, Senamile Masango, a trailblazer who set out to inspire young women, has died aged 37, the government has confirmed.
Ms Masango, dubbed “the queen of science” by some in South Africa, passed away on Sunday. The cause of her death is unknown. Headstrong and ambitious, she “was a beacon of hope for many young people, especially women”, a statement from Deputy President Paul Mashatile said.
Despite her success she said she faced discrimination as a black woman as she constantly had to prove that she knew what she was talking about. Nevertheless, her unwavering determination earned her deep respect in her field. Ms Masango was the first African woman to join an African-led team conducting experiments at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (Cern), which is the world’s largest particle physics laboratory.
“Masango’s tireless efforts to promote science education and empowerment, particularly among women and disadvantaged communities, will be deeply missed,” a statement from South Africa’s Department of Science, Technology and Innovation said. Born in 1987 in the rural village of Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal, the historical seat of the Zulu monarchy, Ms Masango’s mother was a princess in the royal family, and her father was a prominent figure.
She grew up in a polygamous family, with her mother being the youngest of three wives. It was a challenging family set-up, she told local newspaper Sowetan Live, but she learned how to stand up for herself.
Her remarkable achievements included being named one of South Africa’s most successful black women scientists under 35 in 2019 and earning a spot on the Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans in Science and Technology list.
In 2022, she received the prestigious International Women in Science Award, recognizing her profound impact on the scientific community.
Credit: BBC