Palesa Madupe’s initial curiosity spanned everything from paleoanthropology to medicine, but one constant remained: her love for science and research. Today, the 32-year-old is at the cutting edge of human origins studies as a postdoctoral candidate at the University of Copenhagen. Palesa’s work focuses on extracting proteins from fossilised specimens, some dating back nearly two million years. Her role blends lab work with data analysis, stakeholder collaboration and scientific writing — all contributing to Africa’s central role in unravelling the story of human evolution. The most thrilling days, she says, are spent in the clean lab, donning layers of protective gear to conduct protein extractions in controlled environments. Her proudest projects include work on Australopithecus africanus, a species pivotal to understanding South Africa’s place in human origins research. The publication, featured in the South African Journal of Science, was translated into Setswana, reflecting Madupe’s belief that scientific discoveries should be accessible and relevant to local communities.
The first is the Paranthropus project — a large collaborative effort that taught me the true value of meaningful collaboration. Working closely with a multidisciplinary team showed me how collective expertise can elevate a project far beyond what any of us could achieve alone. The second is a smaller, but deeply significant project on Australopithecus africanus. It was an honour to work on such an iconic Pleistocene species — the very one that helped place South Africa at the centre of human origins research. The work was published in the South African Journal of Science, and as part of the centenary celebration of the Taung Child discovery, the journal translated the abstract into Setswana.
Three women have shaped my admiration and respect. Firstly, like every other African kid, my mama. She is an amazing woman who practises one of my core beliefs — that your strength lies in your friendships and community. She is incredibly smart, kind, and she shows up for her community. Then there’s Professor Becky Ackermann. She has encouraged me to reach for doors I didn’t think I could reach, and she advocates for people who look like me. She is also incredibly kind, and she gets things done. I admire and respect her deeply. Lastly, Professor Pumla Dineo Gqola. Even though I have not met her, I have met her through her writings. Reading Reflecting Rogue: Inside the Mind of a Feminist was affirming for me. To have someone with a similar background share her experiences, upbringing, thinking, and journey to feminism was a gift. Her book The Female Fear Factory is an important work, and I believe it can help us collectively understand the epidemic of gender-based violence in South Africa. I would love for it to become required reading in high school.