014 – Thebe Medupe: Astrophysicist + Cosmic Africa

Tags

2000s, 2010s, Astronomy, science

Thebe Medupe (Credit AfroLegends)

“Thebe Medupe grew up in a poor South African village near Mafikeng, about four hours north-west of Johannesburg. He went on to gain a doctorate in astrophysics at the University of Cape Town, and was presenter and associate producer of “Cosmic Africa”, a feature documentary about traditional African astronomy released in 2002. He is a researcher at the South African Astronomical Observatory, where he is participating in a programme to encourage black South Africans to take up astronomy. He is writing a book, in the Setswana language, on ethno-astronomy”[1]

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013 – Neil Turok: Finding Africa’s Einstein + African Institute for Mathematical Sciences

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2000s, 2010s, science

Neil Turok [Photo Credit DigitalClassRoom/Vodacom]

““The next Einstein will come from Africa.” Of that, Neil Turok is convinced. A South African cosmologist and chair of the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Turok’s Next Einstein Initiative is working to nurture Africa’s future intellectual giants, geniuses with the potential to shape global technologies – from quantum computing to modelling epidemics.

010 – Young Scientist – Siyabulela Lethuxolo Xuza – 23182 Siyaxuza

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2000s, 2010s, science, South Africa

Photo Credit: SmartCape.org

“Siyabulela Xuza is one of the new young generation of Africans who are committed to developing the continent’s potential.

002 – Africa’s Scientific Renaissance – Catalogue of Astronomy projects up to 2012

Tags

Astronomy, H.E.S.S, meerKAT, S.A.L.T, S.K.A, science, south african science, V.L.BI.

It has been interesting to note reactions to the awarding of the SKA telescope to South Africa on twitter and across the web. From members of the public the most defining comment for me was by ‏@imogenwright on twitter – “On edge for the #SKA announcement. So exciting for South African science – the African renaissance is built with bricks like this.”[1]