Draft:Lerothodi Leeuw
Submission declined on 29 June 2025 by Rambley (talk).
Where to get help
How to improve a draft
You can also browse Wikipedia:Featured articles and Wikipedia:Good articles to find examples of Wikipedia's best writing on topics similar to your proposed article. Improving your odds of a speedy review To improve your odds of a faster review, tag your draft with relevant WikiProject tags using the button below. This will let reviewers know a new draft has been submitted in their area of interest. For instance, if you wrote about a female astronomer, you would want to add the Biography, Astronomy, and Women scientists tags. Editor resources
|  |
| Submission declined on 29 June 2025 by Theroadislong (talk). This submission's references do not show that the subject qualifies for a Wikipedia article—that is, they do not show significant coverage (not just passing mentions) about the subject in published, reliable, secondary sources that are independent of the subject (see the guidelines on the notability of people). Before any resubmission, additional references meeting these criteria should be added (see technical help and learn about mistakes to avoid when addressing this issue). If no additional references exist, the subject is not suitable for Wikipedia. Declined by Theroadislong 18 hours ago. | |
Comment: In accordance with Wikipedia's Conflict of interest policy, I disclose that I have a conflict of interest regarding the subject of this article. Lerothodi (talk) 09:53, 29 June 2025 (UTC)
Lerothodi Leonard Leeuw is a South African astrophysicist and professor of physics and astronomy at the University of the Western Cape (UWC). His work spans galaxy evolution, gravitational lensing, dark matter research, and astroparticle physics. He is also active in building African astronomy infrastructure.
Early life and education
[edit]Leeuw was born and raised in the Kalahari region of South Africa, where an early fascination with the night sky inspired his future in astronomy.[1]
He earned a B.Sc. in Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), becoming one of the first Black South Africans to do so and one of only three Black students worldwide to major in physics at the time.[2] Leeuw also holds an M.Sc. in Astronomy from the University of Cape Town and a Ph.D. in Astrophysics from the University of Central Lancashire in the UK.[3]
Academic career
[edit]Leeuw joined UWC’s Department of Physics and Astronomy in 2020. He holds a C-rating from South Africa’s National Research Foundation (NRF) and received the prestigious Hamilton Naki Award in 2016.[1][4]
Research
[edit]Leeuw’s research includes:
- **Galaxy evolution & gravitational lensing**: Uses ground- and space-based multi‑wavelength data to explore lensing systems and galaxy evolution.[1][2]
- **Dark matter & underground labs**: Contributes to planning the Paarl Africa Underground Laboratory (PAUL) to support low-background particle physics in South Africa.[5]
- **Astroparticle physics**: Collaborates with CERN and African institutions on indirect dark matter detection.
- **Science heritage and oral history**: Archives personal and institutional narratives from the South African astronomy community.[3]
Awards and recognition
[edit]- **Hamilton Naki Award (2016)** presented by the National Research Foundation for outstanding research performance despite equity challenges.[6][7]
- Recognised during Unisa’s “Research Red Carpet” event for receiving the Hamilton Naki Award.[8]
- Holds an **NRF C-Rating**, confirmed by the NRF's official social media announcement.[9]
Professional Affiliations
[edit]He is an active member of the International Astronomical Union (Division J: Galaxies & Cosmology).[10]
- He is a former executive committee member of the African Astronomical Society.[11]
Public engagement
[edit]Prof Leeuw has been featured in several broadcast appearances, including:
- **SABC News** segment “Fourth Industrial Revolution” discussing science and society.[12]
- Explaining lunar eclipses on SABC-linked YouTube content.[13]
- Featured in public talks such as “Connecting African Culture With The Moon”, as shared via NRF’s social media.[14]
- Interviews or quotes on Cape Talk regarding Starlink satellite interference:[15]
- Featured in a **Profmed Medical Scheme** television advertisement focused on public science education, as noted in UWC’s eclipse media coverage.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Unisa stars shine bright on research red carpet". Unisa News & Media. 8 September 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
- ^ a b "Pivot Point – In conversation with Prof Lerothodi Lapula Leeuw". iono.fm. 21 July 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
- ^ a b "UWC welcomes Dr Lerothodi Leeuw as a Professor". UWC Astrophysics. 20 July 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
- ^ "National Research Foundation celebrates science excellence for development". South African Journal of Science. 112 (9/10). 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
- ^ "Deep underground laboratory will be a first for Africa". EurekAlert!. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
- ^ "National Research Foundation celebrates science excellence for development". South African Journal of Science. 112 (9/10): 2. 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
- ^ "2016 NRF Awards". dsti.gov.za. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
- ^ "Unisa stars shine bright on research red carpet". Unisa. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
- ^ "Meet Prof Lerothodi Leeuw from UNISA". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 30 June 2025.
- ^ "Lerothodi Lapula Leeuw – IAU Member". International Astronomical Union. 20 November 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
- ^ "Officers – Lerothodi Lapula Leeuw". African Astronomical Society. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
- ^ "Fourth Industrial Revolution: Prof Lerothodi Leeuw". YouTube. 9 January 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
- ^ "Talking Lunar Eclipse with Prof. Lerothodi Leeuw". YouTube. 27 July 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
- ^ "Connecting African Culture With The Moon". NRF Science Matters / AfAS. 27 March 2025. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
- ^ "Starlink's 'Photo‑bombing' Impact on SALT and SKA a Concern – UWC Professor". UWC News / Cape Talk. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
- Promotional tone, editorializing and other words to watch
- Vague, generic, and speculative statements extrapolated from similar subjects
- Essay-like writing
- Hallucinations (plausible-sounding, but false information) and non-existent references
- Close paraphrasing
Please address these issues. The best way to do it is usually to read reliable sources and summarize them, instead of using a large language model. See our help page on large language models.