Edward Festus Mukuka Nkoloso: Difference between revisions
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Chalochatu (talk | contribs) Created page with "{{Infobox astronaut | name = Edward Mukuka Nkoloso | image = 250px | caption = Edward Mukuka Nkoloso in the 1960s | birth_name = Edward Festus Mukuka Nkoloso | birth_date = {{birth year|1919}} | birth_place = Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) | death_date = {{death date and age|1989|3|4|1919}} | death_place = Zambia | nationality = Zambian | occupation = Director of the Zambia National Academy of Science, Space Research and Philosophy | pr..." |
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== Early life and education == | |||
Nkoloso was born in 1919 in what was then Northern Rhodesia. He joined the British Army’s Northern Rhodesia Regiment during the Second World War, serving as a sergeant in the signals corps. After the war, he worked as a translator for the colonial government and also taught at primary school level. His own school was later shut down by colonial authorities, prompting his involvement in the independence resistance movement. | Nkoloso was born in 1919 in what was then Northern Rhodesia. He joined the British Army’s Northern Rhodesia Regiment during the Second World War, serving as a sergeant in the signals corps. After the war, he worked as a translator for the colonial government and also taught at primary school level. His own school was later shut down by colonial authorities, prompting his involvement in the independence resistance movement. | ||
== Political and resistance activity == | |||
A committed nationalist, Nkoloso was arrested twice in 1956 and 1957 due to his political involvement. He later became a security official for the United National Independence Party (UNIP), the dominant party in the independence struggle led by Kenneth Kaunda. He was also one of the delegates at the 1964 Constitutional Convention leading up to Zambia’s independence. | A committed nationalist, Nkoloso was arrested twice in 1956 and 1957 due to his political involvement. He later became a security official for the United National Independence Party (UNIP), the dominant party in the independence struggle led by Kenneth Kaunda. He was also one of the delegates at the 1964 Constitutional Convention leading up to Zambia’s independence. | ||
== Zambia's space programme == | |||
In 1960, Nkoloso founded the | In 1960, Nkoloso founded the Zambia National Academy of Science, Space Research and Philosophy. The institution sought to develop a Zambian space program that would rival those of the United States and the Soviet Union during the height of the Cold War. | ||
The programme intended to launch 17-year-old astronaut trainee Matha Mwambwa and two cats to the Moon aboard a spacecraft dubbed the '''D-Kalu 1''', named after President Kenneth Kaunda. Training included rolling inside oil drums and swinging on tyres to simulate weightlessness. | The programme intended to launch 17-year-old astronaut trainee Matha Mwambwa and two cats to the Moon aboard a spacecraft dubbed the '''D-Kalu 1''', named after President Kenneth Kaunda. Training included rolling inside oil drums and swinging on tyres to simulate weightlessness. | ||
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Despite his claims, President Kaunda later described the space project as more symbolic and humorous than serious. The mission was eventually abandoned due to lack of funds, media mockery, and the unexpected pregnancy of its lead astronaut, Matha Mwambwa. | Despite his claims, President Kaunda later described the space project as more symbolic and humorous than serious. The mission was eventually abandoned due to lack of funds, media mockery, and the unexpected pregnancy of its lead astronaut, Matha Mwambwa. | ||
== Later years == | |||
In the post-independence era, Nkoloso continued advocating for African science and tradition. He was appointed to the Liberation Centre and advocated for the recognition of witch doctors alongside physicians. Though he supported traditional medicine, he denied practicing witchcraft himself. | In the post-independence era, Nkoloso continued advocating for African science and tradition. He was appointed to the Liberation Centre and advocated for the recognition of witch doctors alongside physicians. Though he supported traditional medicine, he denied practicing witchcraft himself. | ||
He studied law and obtained a degree from the University of Zambia in 1983. Nkoloso also served as president of the Ndola Ex-servicemen's Association and was buried with presidential honours after his death in 1989. | He studied law and obtained a degree from the University of Zambia in 1983. Nkoloso also served as president of the Ndola Ex-servicemen's Association and was buried with presidential honours after his death in 1989. | ||
== In popular culture == | |||
Nkoloso’s unique space ambitions have inspired various forms of media and storytelling: | Nkoloso’s unique space ambitions have inspired various forms of media and storytelling: | ||
* The photography book ''Afronauts'' by Cristina De Middel (2012) | * The photography book ''Afronauts'' by Cristina De Middel (2012) | ||
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* Depicted in the 2014 film ''Nkoloso the Afronaut'', nominated at the Uganda Film Festival. | * Depicted in the 2014 film ''Nkoloso the Afronaut'', nominated at the Uganda Film Festival. | ||
== Legacy == | |||
While often remembered for his eccentric space ambitions, Edward Nkoloso remains a symbol of post-colonial African ambition, ingenuity, and national pride. His efforts have come to represent both the limits and possibilities of decolonised imagination and self-determination. | While often remembered for his eccentric space ambitions, Edward Nkoloso remains a symbol of post-colonial African ambition, ingenuity, and national pride. His efforts have come to represent both the limits and possibilities of decolonised imagination and self-determination. | ||
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{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
[[Category:Zambian scientists]] | [[Category:Zambian scientists]] | ||
