Featured scientist: Dr Charles Takalana
Dr Charles Mpho Takalana is an astrophysicist and a science-for-development practitioner whose work bridges cutting-edge cosmology research with meaningful global impact. His academic interests include astrophysics, cosmology, and radio astronomy, with a particular focus on the Sunyaev-Zel’dovich Effect (SZE-21cm) and the cosmological 21-cm signal as probes of the Universe’s Dark Ages and the Epoch of Reionisation. Dr Takalana’s work in astronomy for development demonstrates how curiosity-driven research can advance both knowledge and society.
From Lenasia to the Cosmos
Dr Takalana grew up in Lenasia, south of Johannesburg, and completed his matric at Azara Secondary School. His academic journey began at the University of Johannesburg, where he was initially admitted for a BSc in Biochemistry and Botany. Although he had always been interested in science, astronomy felt distant and seemingly inaccessible. That perception changed when his first-year physics lecturer, Lerothodi Leeuw, recognised his technical ability and encouraged him to pursue physics more seriously. He introduced him to the growing momentum around the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, inspiring him to consider astronomy as a career. What once felt distant and inaccessible suddenly became possible.
Dr Takalana received the SKA Africa bursary through the National Research Foundation (NRF), which supported his undergraduate studies in Physics and Mathematics (2011–2014) and his Honours in Physics (2015), where he graduated as the top student in Astrophysics and Mathematical Methods. He then pursued a Master’s degree in Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of the Witwatersrand, focusing on the Sunyaev-Zel’dovich Effect (SZE-21cm) and the cosmological 21-cm signal. The global excitement following the 2018 EDGES detection led to his Master’s being upgraded to a PhD.
Tragically, his supervisor passed away unexpectedly just months later. Despite this personal and academic loss, Dr Takalana completed his PhD in 2020 with the support of the Wits and NRF academic community. His journey reflects resilience, perseverance, and the power of institutional support.
Today, he serves as Deputy Director of the International Astronomical Union Office of Astronomy for Development (IAU-OAD), hosted by the South African Astronomical Observatory (NRF-SAAO), and holds an Extraordinary Lectureship at Stellenbosch University.
