Young scientist's journey from rural roots to the global stage

At just 23 years old, Thobani Sangweni is making his mark in particle physics, combining cutting-edge research with tutoring, mentoring and an endless curiosity about the world. By Naledi Sikhakhane

- By Naledi Sikhakhane

Thobani Sangweni at this year's Phenomenal Physics event hosted by the University of Cape Town, presenting the Cartesian diver demonstration.

(Photo: Supplied/Thobani Sangweni)

From the quiet village of Ntendeka in Ulundi, KwaZulu-Natal, to the cutting-edge laboratories of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva, Thobani Sangweni's journey reads like a story of possibility made real.

At just 23, he has already carved a path that bridges worlds between the rural classrooms where he once tutored his peers and the global stage of particle physics, where he now contributes to unlocking the universe's deepest mysteries.

Sangweni graduated from the University of Cape Town (UCT) with a first-class BSc in physics and astrophysics in 2022, and attained his honours in physics in 2023. He is currently completing an MSc in particle physics at the university.

One of his career highlights is being selected for the CERN programme, where he joined scientists from across the world from June to August 2024. While there, he built a computer program using artificial intelligence (AI) to help scientists sort out different kinds of particles called muons.

Sangweni was primarily raised by his grandparents while his parents sought work in urban areas. He says his grandfather was innovative, and he would watch him do things like engineering ways of getting water from the communal tap and creating a system so that he could have water in his own home and would not have to carry heavy buckets from the tap.

He also credits his career choice to his teacher, who was passionate about physical science in high school.