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Women In Leadership -Pontsho Maruping
Leading South Africa’s Radio Astronomy Into The Future
By Jessie Taylor
Pontsho Maruping is at the forefront of South Africa’s scientific and technological advancements as the Managing Director of the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO). Since her appointment in October 2022, she has played a pivotal role in overseeing all dimensions of SARAO’s operations, including the world-renowned MeerKAT radio telescope and the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO).
Her leadership extends beyond national borders, as she is responsible for fulfilling South Africa’s obligations as a host country for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA)—one of the most ambitious radio astronomy projects in the world. Under her guidance, SARAO continues to position South Africa as a global leader in radio astronomy and space science.
A Career Shaped By Innovation and Leadership
Ms Maruping’s career spans both the private and public sectors, with executive roles in some of South Africa’s most influential science and technology institutions. Before taking the helm at SARAO, she served as an executive at the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), overseeing innovation funding and pre-commercialisation support. She managed a portfolio of over 160 investments across key industries such as ICT, energy, advanced manufacturing, natural resources, agricultural biotechnology, and health.
Ms Maruping was also the CEO of the Mine Health and Safety Council and held the position of Chief Director for Space Science and Technology at the Department of Science and Technology (DST). It was in this role that she spearheaded the establishment of the South African National Space Agency (SANSA), demonstrating her ability to drive large-scale national initiatives.
Throughout her career, Ms Maruping has played a significant role in shaping South Africa’s space and astronomy landscape. She served as Chairperson of the South African Council for Space Affairs (2016-2023), Chair of the Science and Technical Subcommittee of the United Nations Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (20182020), and as a board member of Mintek, one of South Africa’s leading mineral research organisations.
Her influence in space science, technology, and innovation has earned her recognition as one of South Africa’s leading figures in the scientific community.
Ms Maruping’s extensive expertise is backed by a solid academic background and her multidisciplinary knowledge— spanning engineering, business, and space science—has allowed her to lead complex scientific organisations effectively.
Transforming South Africa’s Role in Global Astronomy
Under Ms Maruping’s leadership, SARAO continues to break new ground in radio astronomy. The institution is responsible for managing South Africa’s premier radio astronomy facilities, including:
MeerKAT Radio Telescope – A cutting-edge facility in the Karoo that has already made groundbreaking discoveries.
Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO) – A key site for geodesy and Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI).
African VLBI Network (AVN) – An initiative uniting eight African partner countries in global radio astronomy.
SARAO’s work has advanced scientific research and contributed to technological innovation and skills development in South Africa.
Ms Maruping is also at the helm of South Africa’s participation in the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, the world’s most ambitious radio telescope initiative. Once completed, the SKA will be 50 times more sensitive than any existing radio telescope and will provide unparalleled insights into the universe’s origins.
South Africa’s Karoo region is one of the SKA’s primary sites due to its low levels of radio interference, making it ideal for sensitive astronomical observations. The project is expected to revolutionize astrophysics by detecting signals from the early universe and providing new insights into black holes, galaxy formation, and cosmic evolution.
One of the most remarkable achievements under Ms Maruping’s leadership is the recent discovery of compelling evidence for a low-frequency gravitational wave background—cosmic ripples in spacetime.
This breakthrough was made possible by the MeerKAT Pulsar Timing Array Project, a fiveyear initiative launched in 2019. Using pulsars as natural cosmic clocks, scientists from SARAO, the University of Cape Town (UCT), and international partners detected these gravitational waves in just 4.5 years— a significantly shorter period than expected.
Beyond research, Ms Maruping is deeply committed to human capital development. SARAO actively invests in:
Training programs, bursaries, and internships for young South African scientists, engineers, and data specialists.
Technology development initiatives that enhance skills in high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, and signal processing—fields with applications beyond astronomy.
By fostering innovation and supporting emerging talent, SARAO is ensuring that South Africa remains at the forefront of global scientific research.
As SARAO continues to grow under Ms Maruping’s leadership, the future of South African astronomy looks brighter than ever. With the expansion of the SKA project and continued advancements in radio astronomy, South Africa is cementing its position as a leader in global scientific research.
