Senamile Masango bin hope to encourage oda young women to pursue science
South Africa first black female nuclear scientist, Senamile Masango, one trailblazer wey dey inspire young women, don die at di age of 37, di government don confam.
Ms Masango, wey some pipo for South Africa nickname “di queen of science” pass away on Sunday, 10 February.
Di cause of her death neva dey clear.
Headstrong and ambitious, she “be beacon of hope for many young pipo, especially women”, one statement from Deputy President Paul Mashatile tok.
Despite her success, she tok say she face discrimination as a black woman, as she bin need to constantly prove say she know wetin she dey tok about.
Notwithstanding, her stong determination bin earn her deep respect for her field.
Ms Masango na di first African woman to join one African-led team wey dey conduct experiments for di European Organisation for Nuclear Research (Cern), wey be di world largest particle physics laboratory.
“Masango tireless efforts to promote science education and empowerment, particularly among women and disadvantaged communities, go dey deeply missed,” one statement from South Africa Department of Science, Technology and Innovation tok.
Who be Senamile Masango?
Dem born her for 1987 for di rural village of Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal, di historical seat of di Zulu monarchy.
Ms Masango mother na princess for di royal family, and her father na prominent figure.
She grow up for polygamous family, her mother na di youngest of three wives.
Na challenging family set-up, she tell local newspaper Sowetan Live, but she learn how to stand up for herself.
Her parents quickly sabi her early passion for learning and encourage her to read extensively.
At 11, her geography teacher bin tok about astronauts, wey spark her lifelong interest in science.
“E surprise me as I learn say e get pipo wey dey travel go space – dem go leave dis dimension – and go moon,” she tell Global Citizen, one organisation wey dia goal na to end extreme poverty.
“Dat na wen I fall in love wit science.”
Dem enrol Ms Masango for di University of Zululand at age 16 to study physics, but afta she become pregnant and fail some courses, she get to drop out.
Wit her family support, she bin return to complete her degree and later get MSc in nuclear physics for di University of di Western Cape, and she graduate wit distinction.
Tragically, her daughter die for one car accident at di age of seven.
Beyond her academic accomplishments, Ms Masango bin establish one foundation wey dey dedicated to encouraging young women to pursue science.
“Girls dey discouraged for early age say make dem no take science subjects; dat na di real reason why women no too many for di nuclear space,” she tok.
Her remarkable achievements include say dem name her as South Africa most successful black women scientists under 35 for 2019 and she earn spot on di Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans in Science and Technology list.
For 2022, she receive di prestigious International Women in Science Award, wey recognise her ogbonge impact on di scientific community.
But throughout her career, Ms Masango face misogynoir – di discrimination black women face sake of dia race and gender.
“Di biggest challenge for my career na my skin colour. If you look like me, no-one go believe in you; you must prove say you sabi your job and say you fit think!”
“Na very few black women scientists dey. Dis one mean say women like me get to work twice as hard to prove dia worth,” she tok.