The Audacity To Dream Beyond the Stars
Revisited by Ceaser Siwale
In the early 1960s, as the world was gripped by the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union, a singularly audacious dream took root in Zambia—a dream that sought to place the African nation among the stars. Led by Edward Makuka Nkoloso, a visionary teacher and former World War II veteran, Zambia embarked on what would become one of the most daring and imaginative ventures in African history: the Zambia National Academy of Science, Space Research, and Philosophy, also known as the Zambian Space Program.
This program was born from the audacity of one man who believed that Zambia could launch its own astronauts to the moon, beating both superpowers to the stars. Nkoloso’s determination led him to recruit young Zambians, including a 17-year-old girl named Matha Mwamba, who he trained as Zambia’s first astronaut. Alongside Mwamba, the program included cats and a dog, each designated as “astronauts” in an eccentric but hopeful training regimen. The astronauts rolled down hills in oil drums, a crude attempt to simulate the effects of zero gravity. Despite the comical and crazy nature of the training and the whole program, Nkoloso, inspired a nation and its citizens to believe and follow closely his dream to reach the stars.
Despite the lack of resources, Nkoloso’s commitment was unshakable. He sought funding, including a £7 million grant from UNESCO, which never materialized. Though the program never achieved its intended goal of reaching the moon, it became an emblem of the boundless imagination and hope that can arise even in the face of overwhelming challenges.
The Artistic Legacy of the Afronauts
The Zambian Space Program may not have launched astronauts into space, but it has inspired countless artists, photographers, filmmakers, and creatives to revisit this audacious moment in African history. The narrative of the Afronauts has been reimagined in various forms, preserving the spirit of hope, innovation, and the willingness to dream beyond what seems possible.
Photography
One of the most striking representations of this legacy comes from photographer Cristina de Middel. In 2012, de Middel released the photographic series “Afronauts,” blending documentary with fictionalized imagery. Through her lens, the story of Zambia’s would-be space pioneers is transformed into a poignant and captivating narrative. The series garnered significant international attention, including a nomination for the prestigious Deutsche Börse Photography Prize, and it has been displayed in major galleries worldwide. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/811183
http://www.lademiddel.com/the-afronauts-1.html
Film
In 2014, Ghanaian filmmaker Nuotama Bodomo brought the Afronauts’ story to the screen with her short film Afronauts. A fictionalized retelling of the Zambian Space Program, the film debuted at the Sundance Film Festival and went on to be featured in exhibitions such as “Dreamlands: Immersive Cinema and Art, 1905–2016” at the Whitney Museum of American Art. The film is a reimagining of the original story, using a blend of historical facts and creative embellishments to highlight the absurdity and brilliance of Nkoloso’s dream.
YouTube Documentary
For those who wish to delve deeper into the fascinating story of the Zambian Space Program, the 2013 short documentary Mukuka Nkoloso the Afronaut offers an insightful glimpse into the life of Edward Makuka Nkoloso. The documentary explores the motivations behind his audacious mission and the various challenges he faced while attempting to send Zambian astronauts to the moon. Available on platforms like YouTube, this film brings Nkoloso’s vision into sharp focus, showing both the humor and the determination that marked the Zambian Space Program’s ambitious journey.
Watch the documentary “Mukuka Nkoloso the Afronaut”
The Spirit of the Afronauts
Though the Zambian Space Program never launched a rocket into space, its legacy continues to inspire and captivate. The audacity of Edward Makuka Nkoloso and his team of Afronauts represents a kind of hope and daring spirit that is often lost in the face of modern-day challenges. In an era when many dreamers have become discouraged by the enormity of obstacles, the story of the Afronauts serves as a reminder that there is power in believing in the impossible, even when the odds are insurmountable.
The Zambian Space Program is a story not only of scientific ambition but of an undying belief in the potential of the human spirit. It underscores that sometimes, the most far-fetched dreams are those that shape our future in ways we could never have predicted. Whether through photography, film, or documentary, the story of the Afronauts continues to remind us that, with audacity, anything is possible.
In the end, this story launched something much more significant—the inspiration for generations to dare to dream, even when those dreams seem beyond the stars.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jd9278JAjkU
