North-West University (NWU) student Makatu Mashanyu has been selected as one of the 100 South African Shining Stars by Inside Education for his contribution to education in disadvantaged communities.

“Being recognised among the 100 South African Shining Stars is both humbling and deeply encouraging. Personally, it reminds me how far I have come as both as a student, while keeping me grounded in the understanding that there is still so much to learn and become,” says Makatu, a PhD candidate in chemical and mineral engineering at the NWU.

The announcement was made during a function hosted by Inside Education on 23 February 2026 in Randburg. This annual event recognises individuals between the ages of 18 and 35 who have been nominated by their peers and organisations for giving their time and talent to make their communities, and country, a better place.

This year’s 100 finalists were drawn from various categories including arts and culture, business, education, law, sports and more.

As a Shining Star, Makatu is recognised as an inspiring young leader whose dedication to education and community upliftment is reshaping opportunities for learners in underserved communities.

As chair of the Habitable Planet Workshop Schools Programme he has driven a six-month mentorship and science engagement initiative at Boitshoko High School in Ikageng, a township in Potchefstroom, since 2024.

Each year the programme selects 25 Grade 9 learners for participation in science clubs, practical experiments and educational field trips. With over 100 learners reached so far, Makatu is cultivating a new generation of confident and curious “Plane teers”.

Makatu’s work stands out for its deeply Afrocentric and inclusive approach as he ensures that learners’ cultural identities and socio-economic realities enrich, rather than hinder, their learning journey. His mentorship empowers young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to envision themselves as scientists, innovators and community problem-solvers.

By integrating his academic research in mineral processing and sustainable mining with high-impact outreach, Makatu is bridging the gap between higher education and grassroots development. He represents the essence of a Shining Star: using education as a powerful tool for equity, empowerment and transformation.

“Professionally, it feels less like an arrival and more like a milestone, the top of the mountain is the bottom of another,” concludes the determined young leader.

About Inside Education

Inside Education, now in its eighth edition, is an established voice in digital education publication.

The first digital education publication in Africa, Inside Education was initially launched in Botswana in 2017, and aims to cover the SADC region, gradually branching out to cover the rest of Africa.

Makatu Mashanyu