Lecturer, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal.

Zolile Mtumela achieved his undergraduate degrees at Walter Sisulu University (2004-2007) in the Eastern Cape. He moved to the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban and achieved his MSc & PhD in Space Physics (2008-2014). From August 2014 to October 2016, he was a postdoctoral research fellow at SANSA. In November 2016, he joined the School of Chemistry and Physics at a Lecturer level.

His research activities focus mainly on observation and understanding of ULF (ultra low frequency, typically less than 1 Hz) waves. These waves cause oscillations of the magnetic field which can be observed with the SuperDARN HF radars, Satellite and ground-based magnetometers. While many ULF waves are believed to be generated by the interaction of solar wind and the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) with the Earth’s magnetosphere, there remain a number of unanswered questions.

His research interests include Magnetospheric Physics (e.g. MHD waves- ULF waves), High-latitude plasma convection, Radio wave propagation, and Electrodynamics.