The UCT Science Building, home to the departments of Physics, Astronomy, and Oceanography, is severely underrepresented when it comes to black people. 

This realisation came after attending two years of physics lectures without being taught by any black physics lecturers. That was severely concerning, as black people are the majority in this country, so finding a black lecturer to teach physics shouldn't have been difficult . The physics department fails to represent diversity in this aspect.

This led me to do a deep dive into the history of the institution and who RW James was. RW James was a British physicist from London who was appointed Chair of Physics and taught physics from 1937 to 1956. He also served as Acting Principal and Vice-Chancellor from 1956 to 1957. He was well known for pioneering research in X-ray crystallography. 

He came to UCT during a time when segregation was the norm. The institution during his time was also funded by the very same people who enforced the segregation of people of colour, believing in white supremacy. It is recorded that RW James was against the Apartheid regime, but rigorous activism would've had a negative consequence on the institution. Even during his time as the Vice Chancellor, there has been no record of an increase in the admission of black people. There has also been no record of black physicists graduating during his time, proving just how segregated UCT was. 

During this time, the physics building was located on Orange Street on Hiddingh Campus and was previously used as a slave lodge and zoo. It only relocated to Upper Campus in 1966, being named after him, 2 years after his death.

The history of the physics department paints a very sad story of exclusion and being built on top of black people's pain. It is sad to see that black people are still underrepresented in the department, 150 years later. This raises the important conversation of the decolonisation of science in pursuit of UCT's vision of 2030 of reclaiming our university's Afrikan identity and agency. We acknowledge RW James's accomplishments, and we also acknowledge the segregation that excluded black people from contributing to the science of UCT during his time. 

Changing the science building's name is not about erasing RW James's accomplishments and contributions to physics at UCT, but it is about welcoming a new era that puts African pioneers at the forefront. One of those people is Dr Mosimudi Mangena, South Africa's first Minister of Science who served from 2004 to 2008, and represents black excellence and perseverance.

Born in Limpopo, Tzaneen  in 1947, he obtained an MSc degree in Applied Mathematics from the University of South Africa. He was a valiant student leader during his time at the University of Zululand in 1971. He was part of the South African Students Organisation (SASO)  and Black People's Convention (BPC), fighting the cruel apartheid regime. He was arrested for 10 years for his anti apartheid activism, spending 5 years in Robben Island and 5 years under house arrest. He went into exile in Botswana in 1980, becoming Chairperson of the Black Consciousness Movement of Azania in Botswana and Zimbabwe. He came back to South Africa in 1994, becoming the President of the Azanian People's Organisation (AZAPO). In 1999, he was elected Member of Parliament.

After South Africa was declared a free nation, he was a very important part of shaping the education of young students in the country. He was elected Deputy Minister of Education from 2001 to 2004. From 2004 to 2008, he became  South Africa's first Minister of Science and Technology. 

Changes he brought about in South Africa in terms of education and science include:

• Founding the South African National Literacy Initiative (SANLI) and the Masifundesonke Reading Campaign in 2001.
• Formulation of policies and introduction of initiatives that drove the National Research and Development and Innovation agencies. 
• Development of the National System of Innovation Policy
• The establishment of the Technology Innovation Agency
• Launch of the South African Research Chairs Initiative
• Winning and launching the African component of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology.

His changes and contributions to Astronomy and Astrophysics include:

• The launch of the South African Space Programme and making the bid for the SKA (Square Kilometre Array) which is the world's largest international radio telescope project.
• The commissioning of the South African Micro-satellite and the SumnandilaSat (ZASat-002)  , which observes the Earth.
• Expanding relations between the South African Science and Technology system and those of other countries.

Dr Mosibudi Mangena is a well-rounded scientist and leader who made contributions to all aspects of science. Naming the science building after him is a fair decision, as he has also made a significant impact to Astronomy and Astrophysics. Dr Mosibudi Mangena gave us a better nation and made his contributions as a scientist by educating young students in South Africa.  Who says we have to honour people after they have passed? Dr Mosibudi deserves his flowers while he is still alive.

Naming the science building after him brings a new meaning to the diversity of the physics and science department at UCT. It also puts UCT forward as an institution which encourages and supports young black science innovators. No one deserves to feel out of place simply because they are underrepresented. Dr Mosibudi Mangena Building is the first step in encouraging African innovation in the sciences.