SA’s first black nuclear scientist Senamile Masango passes away

South Africa’s first ever black nuclear scientist Senamile Masango has died.

She was also the first female nuclear scientist from the country.

The news was confirmed SA’s Department of Innovation and Technology.

“It is with profound sadness that we mourn the passing of Senamile Masango, a trailblazing nuclear scientist who left an indelible mark on South Africa’s scientific community” the Department said. “As the country’s first black nuclear scientist, Masango’s remarkable achievements paved the way for future generations of scientists and inspired countless young minds.”

One of her most powerful tweets, out 5 December 2024 said, “At the age of 11, I wanted to be @NASA astronaut, things happened and I am now a Nuclear Physicist.

“A nuclear physicist studies the fundamental particles and forces within an atom’s nucleus, contributing to advancements in energy, medicine, and technology.

“An astronaut, on the other hand, is trained to travel into space, conducting experiments and exploration beyond Earth.

“While both roles involve science and discovery, nuclear physicists focus on atomic-scale phenomena, whereas astronauts explore the vastness of space.”

She was trailblazer.

Masango was he first African woman to be part of an African led experiment at CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research, is one of the world’s largest and most respected centres for scientific research).

In addition to that, Masango was South Africa’s Research Leader at BRICS youth energy outlook. The Senamile Masango Foundation was the winning team from South Africa at the BRICS youth energy outlook in 2020.

She also set up the Senamile Masango Foundation, which was formed to contribute to leaving no one behind and empowering women in the engineering and science fields.

Masango was 37.