NRF Youth Month 2025: Dr Charles Mpho Takalana

The NRF supports the growth of the next generation of researchers and scholars to sustain South Africa’s knowledge enterprise. June is Youth Month, and this year the NRF is celebrating the youth who are shaping tomorrow through research today. We thank all participants for sharing their stories with us.

Dr Charles Mpho Takalana is the Deputy Director at the International Astronomical Union Office of Astronomy for Development (IAU-OAD), based at the South African Astronomical Observatory (NRF-SAAO) in Cape Town. He received funding from the NRF for his entire study journey from undergrad to PhD.

How did your journey start?

I grew up in the town of Lenasia, South of Johannesburg. After completing my matric at Azara Secondary School, my academic journey began at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), where I initially enrolled for a BSc in Biochemistry and Botany. While I was always interested in science, astronomy seemed distant, an exciting but inaccessible field. That changed when my first-year physics lecturer, Prof Lerothodi Leeuw, recognised my aptitude and encouraged me to explore physics more seriously. He introduced me to the buzz around the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project and inspired me to consider astronomy as a career. His mentorship changed the course of my life.

I applied for the SKA Africa bursary through the National Research Foundation (NRF), which supported my undergraduate studies in Physics and Mathematics (2011–2014) and my Honours in Physics (2015), where I was the top student that year in Astrophysics and Mathematical Methods. This experience fuelled my decision to pursue a Master’s in Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), focusing on the Sunyaev-Zel’dovich Effect (SZE-21cm) and the cosmological 21-cm signal. The excitement following the 2018 EDGES detection led to my Master’s being upgraded to a PhD.

Just months later, my supervisor unexpectedly passed away. Despite the personal and professional hardship, I completed my PhD in 2020 with strong support from the academic community at Wits and the NRF—NRF-SARAO in particular. Today, I serve as Deputy Director of the IAU Office of Astronomy for Development (IAU-OAD), based at NRF-SAAO, and hold an extraordinary lectureship at Stellenbosch University.

I never imagined growing up that I would one day be part of leading global scientific initiatives, but that’s the power of mentorship, opportunity, and resilience.

How has your affiliation with the NRF impacted your studies/career?

My relationship with the NRF has been foundational to my career. It began in 2012 when I was awarded the SKA Africa undergraduate bursary through NRF-SARAO, supporting my studies at UJ until my Honours year. This funding not only removed financial barriers but immersed me in the astronomy community, even later, through the SKA Young Professionals Programme. I was able to attend the annual NRF-SARAO postgraduate conference, meet scientists, and begin building a network of mentors and collaborators.

In 2016, I received the NRF-SARAO Master’s bursary while studying at Wits. Midway through, I joined the NRF-SARAO Young Professionals Development Programme and was seconded to the Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation (DSTI) as an Astronomy Policy Researcher (2017–2021). This marked the beginning of my dual path in research and science policy. During this time, I contributed to establishing the African Astronomical Society (AfAS), where I later became its founding Head of Secretariat.

The NRF continued to support my journey, funding my PhD (2018–2020) and enabling me to grow into leadership roles. During my time at AfAS, I was deeply involved in the organisation of the IAU General Assembly (IAU-GA2024) in Africa, serving as Vice-Chair of the National Organising Committee. This historic event, hosted by the NRF on behalf of Africa, would not have been possible without long-standing NRF investment in the continent’s scientific community.

Now, as Deputy Director of the IAU-OAD, hosted at NRF-SAAO, I continue to collaborate with the NRF through the astronomy facilities on initiatives that harness astronomy to address development challenges across Africa.

What is your research focus/area of expertise?

My academic expertise lies in astrophysics, cosmology and radio astronomy, with a particular focus on the SZE-21cm signal, a method for probing the universe’s Dark Ages and the Epoch of Reionisation. My PhD at Wits employed semi-numerical cosmological simulations to analyse this faint signal and resulted in publications and numerous international presentations.

In my current role at the IAU-OAD, I maintain a research profile while focusing on using astronomy as a tool for socio-economic development. I work closely with global partners to support research, outreach, education, and capacity-building projects, ensuring astronomy has practical impact across Africa and beyond.

How is your research helping to shape a better future?

My scientific work contributes to the global effort to understand how the first stars and galaxies formed, deepening our grasp of the universe’s origins. But just as importantly, my broader mission is to ensure that astronomy serves humanity. At the IAU-OAD, we focus on how astronomy can support the Sustainable Development Goals by inspiring youth, enhancing science education, and building skills that can be transferred to broader sectors like data science and engineering.

Initiatives we’ve led or supported, from capacity-building workshops to dark skies protection campaigns, tackle real-world challenges like educational inequity and environmental degradation. Through projects supported by the NRF and global partners, we’re creating pathways for young Africans to pursue science and drive local innovation.

Being a young researcher often means juggling numerous responsibilities and expectations. How do you stay motivated and/or balanced?

Motivation comes from purpose. Every step in my journey, from my studies to my leadership roles, has shown me the transformative power of science. Even during challenging times, like losing my supervisor, I remained focused on the bigger picture. My passion for astronomy, and its potential to inspire and empower others, keeps me going.

To stay balanced, I rely on strong time management, a great support system (my wife, Femidah and our two little ones, Malachi and Makayla), family, and grounding practices like reflection and staying humble. I find joy in mentoring and advising students and seeing them thrive. Family, friends, and colleagues have also played a crucial role in helping me manage the pressures of leadership, research, and public service.

What has been your proudest achievement to date?

Without a doubt, co-leading and vice-chairing the IAU General Assembly 2024 in Cape Town stands as my proudest achievement. As Vice-Chair of the NOC, I was part of delivering the first-ever IAU GA in Africa, welcoming over 2600 astronomers from around the world. It was more than just a conference; it was a celebration of Africa’s scientific potential and a platform for global collaboration. It represented a full-circle moment in my NRF-supported journey—from a student bursary recipient to a leader organising one of the biggest astronomy events ever held on the continent. That experience reaffirmed the importance of sustained investment in people, science, and community.

Another deeply meaningful milestone for me was being appointed an Extraordinary Lecturer at Stellenbosch University in 2024. This role allows me to mentor and contribute to the next generation of scientists while remaining grounded in the academic community that shaped my journey. Being able to give back in this way, while continuing to be part of astronomy for development activities, brings immense fulfilment and purpose to my work.

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