Dr Tebogo Makhubela has been named a National Geographic Explorer and recipient of the 2025 Wayfinder Award, putting South African scientists on the global stage.
South Africa (05 June 2025) – From the Cradle of Humankind to the global stage, South African geologist Dr Tebogo Makhubela has been named a National Geographic Explorer and recipient of the 2025 Wayfinder Award, a title reserved for pioneers shaping the future of exploration and discovery.
Dr Makhubela’s journey is rooted deep in South African soil. With a PhD in geology and a decade spent studying the ancient caves of the Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, his work is unlocking secrets that have been buried for millions of years. And now, the world is paying attention.
As a field director for National Geographic’s Rising Star programme, Makhubela is helping redefine what we know about our ancient relatives, including the astonishing discovery that Homo naledi, an extinct human ancestor, may have intentionally buried their dead. It’s a finding that shifts the needle on how we understand early human behaviour, and it’s happening right here in Mzansi.
Dr Makhubela’s expertise lies in geochemistry and geochronology, big words, yes, but ones that essentially help us tell time in stone. His research employs atom-level dating methods to determine the true age of rocks and fossils, providing science with a clearer timeline of our human journey.
With five research trips to the prestigious Helmholtz Centre in Germany under his belt and now the recognition of being a National Geographic Explorer, Dr Makhubela is putting South African science firmly on the map. But more than that, he’s igniting curiosity, inspiring future explorers, and reminding the world that Africa is where the human story began and where it continues to evolve.
We got the chance to chat with Dr Tebogo Makhubela about this incredible accomplishment. We asked him what it meant to him to be named a National Geographic Explorer.
“I am humbled and honoured to become a National Geographic Explorer. It’s been a lifelong dream to join the ranks of the incredible Explorer Community. I was born, raised, educated and now teach in South Africa.
Receiving this honour for my work in human origins research is a milestone not only for me but for the many South African scientists who are helping solve the mysteries of our shared human story, and communicate that story across the globe.”
Having dedicated years to understanding where we come from, the journey shaped a great deal of Dr Makhubela’s identity and purpose. His drive has been beyond finding employment and instead focussing on education and learning more about human evolution.
“After I completed my bachelor of science degree at the University of Johannesburg, I was offered a job in the gold mining industry. But I’d always had a deep curiosity about human evolution. I ended up turning down the job in the gold mining industry to complete a master’s degree focused on developing a technique for determining the geologic age of hominin fossils.
At a time when there is great division in many cultures, my work in human evolution has given me a greater appreciation for the ways that humans are interconnected. We are all Homo sapiens with a common African origin. Had I taken a job within the gold mining industry, I may not have had these realisations.”
As for the next generation, Dr Makhubela has some thoughts on that as well.
“The world, and South Africa in particular, needs more scientists. We need more bright minds to uncover the abundance of knowledge locked away in the natural world. I encourage the next generations to ask big questions, devote yourself to your studies and fall in love with your work. The biggest discoveries start with a single question.”
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