South Africa is mourning the loss of Senamile Masango, the country’s first Black female nuclear scientist, who dedicated her life to breaking barriers and inspiring young women to pursue careers in science. She passed away at the age of 37, though the cause of her death has not been disclosed.
Masango, often referred to as “the queen of science,” was widely admired for her resilience and determination in a field where women, particularly Black women, remain underrepresented. Deputy President Paul Mashatile described her as “a beacon of hope for many young people, especially women,” acknowledging the struggles she faced in gaining recognition and respect as a Black woman in the scientific community.
Masango’s impact on nuclear science was profound. She was the first African woman to be part of an African-led team conducting experiments at the prestigious European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN), the world’s leading particle physics laboratory. Her work earned her a reputation as a dedicated scientist committed to advancing nuclear research and education.
South Africa’s Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation paid tribute to her “tireless efforts to promote science education and empowerment, particularly among women and disadvantaged communities,” emphasizing the void her passing leaves in the field.
Early Life and a Passion for Science
Born in 1987 in Nongoma, a rural village in KwaZulu-Natal, Masango came from a royal lineage—her mother was a Zulu princess, and her father was a respected figure in the community. She grew up in a polygamous household, a dynamic that she once described as challenging but formative.
Her passion for science ignited at the age of 11 when a geography teacher introduced the concept of astronauts. “I was so fascinated to learn that there are people who travel to space—leave this dimension—and go to the moon,” she once recalled. This curiosity led her to pursue physics, enrolling at the University of Zululand at just 16.
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However, her academic journey was not without setbacks. After becoming pregnant and struggling with some courses, she had to drop out. Yet, with unwavering support from her family, she returned to complete her degree and later earned a Master’s in nuclear physics from the University of the Western Cape, graduating with distinction.
Tragedy struck again when her seven-year-old daughter died in a car accident, but Masango continued to push forward, using her pain as motivation to uplift others. 
Champion for Women in Science
Beyond her groundbreaking research, Masango was deeply committed to empowering young women in STEM. She founded a foundation aimed at encouraging girls to pursue science, recognizing that many are discouraged from such careers early on. “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,” she once remarked.
Her contributions were widely recognized—she was named one of South Africa’s most successful Black women scientists under 35 in 2019, featured on the Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans in Science and Technology list, and in 2022, received the prestigious International Women in Science Award.
Yet, despite her achievements, she openly spoke about the discrimination she faced. “The biggest challenge in my career is my skin color. If you look like me, no one believes in you; you must prove that you know your job and that you can think!” she said, highlighting the racial and gender biases that persisted in the field.
Still, Masango never wavered in her mission to create opportunities for future generations. Her story remains a testament to perseverance, resilience, and the power of breaking barriers.
As South Africa bids farewell to a scientific pioneer, her legacy will continue to inspire young women to chase their dreams, proving that representation in science is not just necessary but transformative.
