Ms Carla Mitchell – Africa Programme Manager

I have been with the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRF-SARAO) for over 11 years and have held a number of roles during this time. My current role is that of the NRF-SARAO Africa Programme Manager. I am responsible for planning, negotiating and implementing strategic and funding solutions for the Africa programme across the eight […]

Nomfundo Makhubo – Stakeholder Relations Manager

Nomfundo Makhubo is the Stakeholder Relations Manager at the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO). She plays a key role in managing relationships with SARAO’s various stakeholders, which include governmental bodies, academic institutions, industry partners, and local communities. Her work involves fostering collaboration, ensuring effective communication, and supporting the strategic objectives of SARAO. Having graduated […]

Benjamin Hugo – Software Developer

Benjamin Hugo is a Software Developer with the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) in Cape Town South Africa. After joining SARAO in 2016 he was involved in telescope commissioning and operations of the 64-dish MeerKAT radio interferometer. His software interests include developing tooling in radio imaging, calibration, simulations, and pipelining supporting science operations. His […]

Dr Romeo Gamatham – Research Scientist: Time and Frequency Systems, SARAO

Dr R. R. G. Gamatham completed his undergraduate at the University of Namibia (UNAM) majoring in pure/applied Mathematics and Physics. He received his Masters degree in Physics (cum laude) from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU). In 2013 he received his PhD in Physics from NMMU. His doctoral research work conducted at the Centre of […]

Dr Nadeem Oozeer – Data Scientist

Dr. Nadeem Oozeer is currently a data scientist with the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory, leading for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA). He completed his PhD in Astrophysics at the University of Mauritius in 2008 and joined a postdoc with the SKA Africa project. Dr. Nadeem Oozeer started as a junior operations and commissioning scientist […]

Dr Lindsay Magnus, SKA-Mid Telescope Director

He graduated from Rhodes University majoring in Physics with Electronics and Maths, and completed his Honours year in Telecommunications before earning a Master’s degree in Physics. After lecturing at the Department of Electrical Engineering at Border Technikon (now Walter Sisulu University), East London, he took up a position as a Research Physicist at the Hermanus […]

Simphiwe Madlanga – Coordinator: Science Engagement

Top 200 Young South Africans” in 2018 by the Mail & Guardian newspaper, Simphiwe has devoted his career to demystifying science, explaining astronomy and its benefits to communities across his home country. In 2024, he was invited into membership of the Golden Key International Honour Society for his outstanding results in the MPhil Space Studies […]

Kim Anthony – Head: Human Capital Development

Kim Anthony started working for the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRF-SARAO) – then the South African SKA Project – in 2004 and have managed its Human Capital Development (HCD) portfolio more or less since then. In addition, she was part of the team that researched and authored South Africa’s bid to host the SKA […]

Rebaone Seape – Mechanical Engineer

Rebaone Seape is a mechanical engineer, interested in robotics engineering for construction and maintenance technologies. He is an avid learner and a focused individual. He takes pride in his work and look forward to all manner of engineering challenges. He is strongly adhering to the simple principle that a correctly posed question contains within itself, […]

Dr Kenda Knowles – Senior Research Fellow

Dr Kenda Knowles is a Senior Research Fellow at Rhodes University and the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRF-SARAO). She is an astrophysicist, and focuses on the physics of galaxy clusters, with the aim of understanding the constituent galaxies, plasma, and magnetic fields, the physical processes that affect them, and how these processes may evolve […]