Can Chemistry Solve Power Cuts? Clean Energy, STEM Journeys, and Women’s Empowerment with Sandile Matetwa
Monday Science7 Huhti 2025

Can Chemistry Solve Power Cuts? Clean Energy, STEM Journeys, and Women’s Empowerment with Sandile Matetwa

What do chemistry, clean energy, and women’s empowerment have in common?


In this episode of Monday Science, Dr. Bahijja Raimi-Abraham speaks to Sandile Matetwa, a PhD researcher at the University of Cambridge, about how her experiences growing up in Zimbabwe during power cuts shaped her passion for renewable energy—and how she's using science to fuel change.

They explore Sandile’s research into hydrogen as a clean energy source, the importance of STEM representation, and the challenges of pursuing a PhD as a young mother and international student. Plus, Sandile shares her work as co-founder of the Africans in STEM Initiative and the founder of Simuka Arise, an empowerment organisation for women and single mothers.


🎧 Have you ever thought about how science can solve local problems? Or how personal challenges can spark groundbreaking research?


Join the conversation—email info@mondaysciencepodcast.com or follow along on social media.


Listen now!

Subscribe, follow, comment, leave a review, and get in touch!
📧 info@mondaysciencepodcast.com


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