advertisement
Facebook
X
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
Reddit

One on one with the first black African to go to space

Yuri Gagarin was the first man in orbit. Neil Armstrong was the first man on the moon. Mark Shuttleworth was the first African astronaut. Now a 25-year-old DJ and student from Mabopane in Pretoria will be joining this group of extra-terrestrial luminaries: Next year he will become the first black African to go to space.

Mandla Maseko was thrust into the limelight in early December last year when he was announced as finalist of the Axe Apollo Space Academy competition. In an instant, he went from being an unemployed, young South African looking for the opportunity to create a better life for himself and his family, to meeting the legendary Buzz Aldrin (pictured below) and learning in a matter of weeks, what it takes other years to grasp in order to prepare them for space expeditions.

buzz aldrin

We had the chance to grab a quick chat with him and find out more about him and his space expedition.

You went being from an average, young guy from the township to being the first black African going to space, how did that happen?

I entered a radio competition whereby I had to send in a picture of myself jumping. And I jumped from a wall, and a friend of mine took a picture while I was on mid-air, sent it. I got called back, answered a simple question, then I made it to the top 30 that was going to the Local Space Camp. Local Space Camp consisted of three challenges. The first one was “The Vomit Comet” the second was 10 000 feet skydiving above earth. Then the top 6 did what we call “The Plane Stunt”. The Global Space consisted of Zero G Flight, Air Combat, G-Force, Assault course, Rocket Construction, and Aptitude test. After all was completed, I made it to the top 23.

What was your and your family’s reaction when you first heard you were selected as a finalist for the Axe Space Academy competition?

Well, when I made it to the top three that was going to represent South Africa at the a Local Space Camp, I was overwhelmed, so was  my family. And when I made to the top 23 that will be launching into Space in 2015,  it was an out of body experience.

What are your expectations of space? Do you think it will be anything like we’ve seen in movies?

Yes, I think it will be all that and more. I imagine myself at that moment when I’ll be taking off my seat belt, experiencing weightlessness and looking outside my window to see this blue and green ball called earth.

photo 2

What are you most nervous or excited about?

Nervous? Nah. I’m happy and excited about the takeoff and also being in the fastest jet ever.

What do you plan to do while you’re up there?

My flight will take up to an hour. I will take from a normal runway, the shoot up straight into space, at an altitude of about 338 000 feet, I’ll get to experience weightlessness and see earth as this small round ball that is blue and white. Then after some few minutes come down for the glide, then land. And this whole process will take up to an hour.

Has this made you consider a career in astronautics?

Absolutely! I am planning to register to do Aeronautical Engineering, and hopefully qualify to be a Mission Specialist, then hopefully next time I’ll go to the moon on a mission to put the South African flag there.

mandla
Mandla is proud to be flying the South African flag high

So, what happens when you return? Where to from there?

I am already going around schools to give talks and motivate young aspiring future astronauts. Thereafter complete my Aeronautical Engineering, and hopefully get to achieve my bigger dream.

Neil Armstrong’s first words after stepping onto the moon are legendary. Do you have a speech prepared for your trip?

I’d either say, “One small step for men, One giant leap for South Africa, One mega massive leap for Africa” or “Sky is not the limit, your mind is… So shoot for the moon, even if you miss, you’ll definitely land among the stars”. I also want to take with me the song ‘World in Union’, by PJ Powers and Ladysmith Black Mambazo, as the song lyrics really speak to me.

 You can follow Mandla on Twitter to keep up with all his activities.

advertisement

About Author

advertisement

Related News

advertisement