MS. SENAMILE MASANGO

Nuclear Scientist

Ms. Senamile Masango is a nuclear scientist and Founder and Chairperson of Women in Science and Engineering in Africa (Wise Africa). She is originally from KwaNongoma, a deep rural area in KwaZulu-Natal, and she is one of South Africa’s very few black female nuclear physicists. Ms. Masango's formal qualifications include BSc (Physics and Electronics), and BSc Honours (Nuclear Physics) from the University of Zululand; a Diploma in Project Management from Varsity College; and MSc in Nuclear Physics (Cum Laude) from the University of Western Cape.

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Driven by her passion in nuclear energy research, Ms. Masango has conducted several experiments locally and abroad; she is the first African woman to be part of an African led experiment at CERN. A firm believer in sharing knowledge and experiences, and in women empowerment, she is a Founder and Chairperson of Women in Science and Engineering in Africa (Wise Africa) and Senamile Masango Foundation, a foundation and an NGO that allows women to engage one another about social issues that affect them.

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Ms. Masango is passionate about education, bringing science to people, and encouraging more black researchers throughout Africa. She would like to see more South Africans graduating with PhDs.