Ms Snothile Manyathi confidently forecast from a young age that she would follow a career in mathematics – and she got it 100% right!
With a cum laude achievement under her belt it all adds up – Snothile is fired up to revolutionise the face of the discipline in South Africa.
From Nquthu in northern KwaZulu-Natal, Snothile had her sights set on a career in mathematics early in her life and was very keen on studying in the vibrant and dynamic city of Durban while UKZN presented opportunities for academic and professional growth, particularly because of its high rating in the sciences.
Snothile took advantage of opportunities for personal growth through leadership opportunities for postgraduate students, enjoying her time tutoring undergraduates and filling a supplemental instruction academic support role. She also benefited from financial help to attend conferences and seminars.
Snothile’s master’s research, supervised by Professor Sunil Maharaj and Professor Kesh Govinder, focused on finding new mathematical solutions for charged gravitating spheres in Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet (EGB) gravity. Her work aimed to enhance the understanding of charged stellar objects in extended gravity theories, contributing to insights about the universe’s structure, formation and evolution. These theoretical developments support efforts to unify gravity with other fundamental forces and advance research in cosmology, including the study of dark matter and dark energy. Snothile hopes her research will inform future breakthroughs by deepening the knowledge about gravity and its potential technological applications.
Insights gained from Snothile’s research could inform the development of new theories of physics that integrate gravity with other fundamental forces, potentially leading to a unified theory of everything.
‘This theory would represent one of our most outstanding scientific achievements, fundamentally altering our understanding of the universe and our place within it,’ said Snothile.
The new solutions she uncovered could also help improve solutions to EGB field equations, which are essential for understanding the behaviour of charged astronomical objects such as neutron stars.
Never dreaming she would take her love of mathematics this far, Snothile discovered the distinction between pure and applied mathematics during her studies, with the latter presenting varied career opportunities.
‘Applied mathematics allows researchers like me to model, predict and understand complex systems such as the universe,’ she said. ‘Powerful mathematical tools can uncover patterns and reveal deep insights into physical phenomena.’
The discipline sharpened Snothile’s analytical and problem-solving skills, providing a satisfying academic pursuit that bridged theory and real-world application, challenging her to think critically and creatively.
Snothile is working on a journal paper from her research and is happy knowing her work contributes meaningfully to the understanding of space and gravity.
Despite the overwhelming workload, she focused on developing the self-discipline, critical thinking and ability to navigate the ambiguity she needed to succeed. Learning effective time management was helpful as was the support and guidance of her dedicated supervisors, who provided clarity when she needed it. Her financial constraints were also sorted with the help of her supervisors and the University.
Snothile has enrolled for a PhD in Applied Mathematics, aiming to grow as a researcher and pursue a career in academia. She is passionate about contributing to theoretical and applied mathematics knowledge and shaping the next generation of mathematicians.
Snothile thanked Maharaj and Govinder for their invaluable guidance, encouragement and mentorship, which helped her grow in confidence and independence. She thanked her family, and particularly her mother, for their unwavering support and constant motivation as well as acknowledging UKZN’s academic staff and administrative teams for creating a nurturing environment for her growth.
Words: Christine Cuénod
Photograph: Sethu Dlamini
