The Soweto geologist uncovering the Earth's secrets
In the 1997 action film "Dante's Peak", Pierce Brosnan plays the role of a volcanologist sent to investigate seismic activity beneath a long-dormant volcano.
Years after its release, the story inspired South African Tebogo Makhubela to become a geologist, the 35-year-old said.
Winner of one of the prestigious National Geographic 2025 Wayfinder awards, Makhubela leads a research team working to uncover ancient clues to human evolution.
His turf lies below the surface of the Earth in the limestone caves of South Africa's Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage site about 50 kilometres northwest of Johannesburg.
Speaking from inside The Rising Star cave, one of the numerous caves in the area, Makhubela said he and his colleagues have only "scratched the surface" of the site, which dates back five million years.
In an unassuming savannah field, hidden under a rocky patch of grass, the cave is where scientists in 2013 discovered Homo naledi, an ancient human relative that lived about 300 000 years ago.
"With this cave we've only studied 30 percent... To do the remaining 70 percent we need 20 years minimum," said Makhubela, wearing a dark green overall and a helmet fixed with a torchlight.
And with many other caves to study, Makhubela's research isn't close to an end.
"I will actually retire before we finish. Hence, I need to train a lot of students to take over from me."
Makhubela, who lectures at the University of Johannesburg and supervises four PhD students, hopes more young scientists will join him on his mission -- one he believes is crucial to understanding the history of humankind and its environment.
"Geology helps us understand Earth, our planet, how it works, how it was formed, its composition and its processes," he said, sitting on a rock next to his yellow backpack filled with notebooks, pens, measuring instruments and water.
His own speciality is geochemistry and geochronology, or more simply, determining the age of fossils and environmental changes over time.
One hurdle, he said, is that geology is not well known and some young people would rather "chase what is popular".
"Right now we're living in the age of artificial intelligence. (But) you don't have to run and go study computer science or IT because you want to be relevant to the times," said the geologist.
"If you're more passionate about natural science, go for it. Because if you do it well, there will be a place for you."
Born and raised in Soweto, the sprawling township once home to Nelson Mandela, Makhubela was the first in his family to go to university.
His mother never went to school and worked as a street vendor while his father moved away when he was 10, he said.
As a bright young student, he was pressured to study engineering and work in South Africa's lucrative gold mining industry.
But he decided on another path.
"Curiosity inspires me, honestly. I have a lot of questions," he joked, describing what motivates him.
And a decade after making that bold decision to forgo a future in mining and pursue his passion in geology, Makhubela is proud of his accomplishments.
"I've got a very thriving, fulfilling career, one which is winning me international awards," he said.
He's even become a superhero, featuring as a character in a South African comic book and animation series to inspire children about the wonders of science. | AFP
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