DR TEBOGO MAKHUBELA: CHARTING THE PAST TO GUIDE THE FUTURE
IN JUNE, TEBOGO WAS NAMED A NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC WAYFINDER AWARDEE, AN ACCOLADE THAT HAS OPENED NEW FRONTIERS FOR HIM, GIVING HIM ACCESS TO CLOSED-CALL GRANTS, ADVANCED FIELD TOOLS, AND A GLOBAL COMMUNITY. In June, Tebogo was named a National Geographic Wayfinder Awardee, an accolade that has opened new frontiers for him, giving him access to closed-call grants, advanced field tools, and a global community. “Being named a Wayfinder is my best career highlight so far. It opened more doors than I could have imagined,” he says. The award has given him access to funding and field resources, as well as the chance to collaborate with other global explorers. “It’s not just the support, but the community – people who can help you or work with you on something aligned with their expertise.” As a high school boy, Dr Makhubela never had any doubt he would go to university. His interest in science started when he watched The Nutty Professor, followed by Dante’s Peak. “While doing Grade 12, I already had a vision board outlining that I would do a PhD between the ages of 30-35. I ended up completing my PhD at 29, way ahead of schedule,” he says.
Dr Tebogo Makhubela, a senior lecturer in UJ’s Department of Geology, is shaping both the academic and public understanding of Earth’s ancient history. His journey from the train platforms of Soweto to the fossil-rich valleys of the Cradle of Humankind is a story of vision, persistence, and passion for the deep past.
Tebogo Superman Crawl: Dinaledi Chamber, Rising Star cave system, Cradle of Humankind, South Africa. 2019. Tebogo Makhubela conducts field work in the Rising Star cave system. Photo by Mathabela Tsikoane.
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