Paballo Chauke
Nominee's Province:
Western Cape
Age:
34
Project Name/Description:
Founder: Ndayeni Mentorship Scheme & Chat with Chauke Communications
Paballo Chauke is a science communicator and mentor who continues to contribute to South Africa’s academic and research community despite being based in the UK. He founded the Ndayeni Mentorship Scheme in 2012 to support African students and early-career researchers, especially those from marginalised backgrounds. In 2017, he also launched Chat with Chauke Communications, a platform that uses science communication to drive public education and engagement across Africa. “My goal is to break down the walls between science and society, between knowledge and those who need it most,” he says. Chauke currently works as a training coordinator at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, where he trains thousands of scientists across the continent. He has played a key media and digital strategy role in major science platforms like H3Africa and the African Society of Human Genetics, helping them expand their reach and engagement. Through both mentorship and media, Chauke is focused on making science more inclusive, relevant, and impactful—particularly in advancing public health and development across Africa.
