The world joins South Africa in mourning the sudden death of Senamile Masango, the nation’s first black female nuclear scientist and a beacon of hope for young women in science.
Masango, affectionately dubbed “the queen of science,” passed away last Sunday, Feb. 9, 2024, at the age of 37. The cause of her death remains unknown.
Born in 1987 in the rural village of Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal, Masango’s journey to becoming a globally respected scientist was marked by resilience and determination. Despite growing up in a challenging polygamous family, her parents recognized her early passion for learning and encouraged her to pursue education. At just 11 years old, a geography lesson about astronauts sparked her lifelong love for science.
“I was so fascinated to learn that there are people who travel to space—leave this dimension—and go to the moon,” she once told Global Citizen. “That’s when I fell in love with science.”
Masango’s path was not without obstacles. She became a mother at a young age and faced academic setbacks, but with her family’s unwavering support, she returned to complete her degree in physics.
She later earned a Master’s in nuclear physics from the University of the Western Cape, graduating with distinction. Tragically, her daughter died in a car crash at the age of seven, a loss that deeply affected her.
Masango’s groundbreaking achievements included becoming the first African woman to join an African-led team conducting experiments at Cern, the world’s largest particle physics laboratory. Her work earned her numerous accolades, including being named one of South Africa’s most successful black women scientists under 35 in 2019 and receiving the prestigious International Women in Science Award in 2022.
Despite her success, Masango faced significant challenges as a black woman in a male-dominated field.
“The biggest challenge in my career is my skin colour. If you look like me, no one believes in you; you must prove that you know your job and that you can think!” she once said.
She also highlighted the systemic barriers discouraging girls from pursuing science, stating:
“Girls are discouraged at an early age from taking science subjects; it is the root cause of the lack of women in the nuclear space.”
Masango dedicated her life to breaking these barriers. She founded an organization to encourage young women to pursue science and became a vocal advocate for gender and racial equality in STEM fields.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile described her as “a beacon of hope for many young people, especially women,” while South Africa’s Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation praised her “tireless efforts to promote science education and empowerment.”
Senamile Masango’s legacy is one of courage, brilliance, and an unyielding commitment to uplifting others. Her story will continue to inspire generations of young scientists to dream boldly and persevere against all odds.
