Remembering Senamile Masango
It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of Senamile Masango, member of the CERN Alumni Network. A pioneering South African nuclear scientist, entrepreneur, and advocate for the UN Sustainable Development Goals, she dedicated her life to advancing science and empowering women in STEM. As the Founder of the Senamile Masango Foundation, she worked tirelessly to build a brighter future for Africa, ensuring that no one was left behind in the pursuit of knowledge and opportunity.
Hailing from a Zulu royal lineage, she began university at the age of 16. During her Masters studies at the University of Western Cape (UWC) in South Africa, Senamile came to CERN as the only female member of an African-led team who conducted an experiment at ISOLDE in 2017 to investigate the isotope selenium 70. She graduated with a master’s degree cum laude in nuclear physics from UWC, from work done at TRIUMF, the Canadian National Facility for Nuclear and Particle Physics.
Senamile was named one of the 50 Global Inspirational Women of 2020, was a Women in Tech Global Awards finalist in 2021and was a recipient of hte International Women in Science Award in 2022.
She was a staunch supporter of the CERN Alumni Network, recognising the importance of global scientific collaboration and mentorship. Just last year, we had the immense honour of welcoming Senamile as a keynote speaker at CERN Alumni Third Collisions 2024. with an inspiring talk, “Changing the World Through Science by Taking Science to the Community,” which deeply resonated with the audience, reflecting her passion for making science accessible to all.
Our thoughts go out to Senamile’s family, friends, and colleagues.