Afronauts: Interview with Edward Nkoloso | Head of Zambia's Unofficial Space Programme | Nov. 1964

November 1964.
Footage of an interview with Edward Nkoloso, the self-appointed Head of the Zambian "National Academy of Science, Space Research and Astronomical Research" (later styled the Zambia National Academy of Science, Space Research and Philosophy).
An ex-colonial soldier and then an anti-colonial activist prior to Northern Rhodesia's independence as Zambia, Nkoloso commenced "training" for a mission to the moon which he claimed could be achieved the following year subject to two factors: funding and rocket fuel.
Training took place at what Nkoloso termed the "Zambia Space Academy", an abandoned farmhouse near the capital city of Lusaka. This was earmarked as the launching site of a 10-foot oil drum-shaped rocket which was made of aluminium and copper.
Source of footage: Reuters News Archive.

[@abduladeshina3501]

They look like they're having a hell of a time in my eyes, we might all laugh at how clueless they were, but of all the nations who joined the space race, we can certainly say the Zambians had the most fun!

[@0xff-]

I had fun laughing at them

[@BlackMasterRoshi]

yeah... sure they did.

[@lloydpyramidofegypt]

At least he dreamt of it. Today Africa cannot even feed her people let alone go to space. Saddled with loads of phantom debt, inadequate leadership, and lack of vision, we need to reboot our mindsets.

[@ac1dP1nk]

colonialism never ended the flags changed and the names but the businesses stayed the important power relations were not changed in any meaningful way.

[@SysoevFM]

That's so hilarious.

[@burtan2000]

The debt is real. Colonialism is not the only cause of problems for Africa. Billions in aid are given every yr. That's not to say Africa and her people have not been exploited for centuries.

[@zigzzagz5732]

The land once called the bread basket of Africa couldn't feed itself once the white farmers were run off. Turned out it's not the best move to kick out experienced farmers.

[@dhawalanand4013]

Nigeria and South Africa already have a booming space program . So don’t worry . If no one helps you India is there with her rockets to launch you in space .

[@akshaymasane3018]

I can't control my laugh, this guy make my day

[@trent3872]

This reminds me of the mexican space shuttle. "Porta-potty. 😂😂😂

[@musta_zoggi]

Anyone of you can dream so do not stop dreaming

[@bethclark9319]

Well, I'm speechless. All I kept thinking. You just can't make this up.

[@1anre]

This has got to be the funniest thing I’ve read or watched on your channel Chief, Hahahaha. The remaining nations serious about the space race would’ve been rolling on the floor watching the progress the Zambians were making towards theirs. Abeg what was the cape he had on for? Anti-gravity deflector or what exactly? How did this British reporter manage to keep a straight face all through the interview, I’m not sure I’d have been able to remain that professional Lai Lai.

[@deaddycruel]

Do you think that Edward Nkoloso was not serious?

[@alainportant6412]

I mean, if you kinda speak french, you should watch "Troposphere 5". It's a contemporary attempt at space conquest by the Congolese government back in the 2000's. They tried sending a rat in space onboard a homemade rocket , but they messed up the trajectory so they pretty much just bombed the next door village with a rat. at least they had fun, and the rat didn't suffer, hopefully

[@zigzzagz5732]

They seemed to be having fun tho. It reminds me of when we were kids playing make believe games with imaginary flying saucers and us in outer space.

[@indonesianguy4026]

He's confused but he got the spirit

[@pisolutions1319]

I don't even know what to say. The west would have made a big mockery of us back then. It's still very laughable till now.

[@BENZENE6K]

Far much better than British space program though.😂

[@gauravgaurav4328]

yes

[@bump292]

As a Black Man, I’m embarrassed, But somehow Inspired.

[@zigzzagz5732]

Well.... The physical training did them no harm that's for sure.....and before one can go to the moon one must dream about going to the moon then go through the actions of going to the moon..... Then, maybe you can begin working to go to the moon. In that sense this man was a visionary and it let him and a few others share in the space race in a way no other Zambian at that time did.

[@ServantsResearchMinistries]

Good sir, I have a hot air balloon, a hang glider, and scuba equipment: let's funking go

[@babk08]

He said that Russia and the US under estimated his intelligence and ability. Me thinks they estimated you correctly bud.

[@MegaJohny56]

oh my God

[@Papoose9212]

Training for training’s sake is it’s own ends

[@stejer211]

Thwarted by the USA and USSR who could not bear the shame of seeing Zambia win the space race.

[@aaronsamuelmulenga8942]

Would you happen to have the link to where we can access this clip from Reuters directly?

[@kyeikwame9409]

A barrel rocket ?????

[@ACEmaster269]

Goblin barrel😅

[@backendadmin1217]

Wow... ❤

[@sialatorah]

At last something serious about space programs and astronauts.

[@DanH34]

At least they tried.

[@zigzzagz5732]

This man was a visionary not a nut job......ok, well maybe a bit but if you think of it this way.... The physical training did them no harm that's for sure.....and before one can go to the moon one must dream about going to the moon then go through the actions of going to the moon..... Then, maybe you can begin working to go to the moon. In that sense this man was a visionary and it let him and a few others share in the space race in a way no other Zambian at that time did.

[@e2m514]

And they still went over budget..

[@AereForst]

Well at least they got to exercise.

[@sonnyajero]

Nuts

[@rubenoteiza9261]

At least they don't pretend they actually went to the Moon.

[@54blewis]

Isn’t this the way the Wright bros got started??!!

[@codingvio7383]

Yes, building a wooden plane can be done by anyone. Going to space takes millions of dollars in resources and designing.

[@noone-zm2rl]

This happend when his brain got lost in space dreams

[@mapalojohnchanda4107]

Don't u dare mock zambia 🇿🇲🚀 I shall see to it our project to be a success soon mark my words 😤😤

[@ftshxwn4117]

It looked like a normal day in a park what space program?

[@horneybonk9208]

since catapult is too primitive as they mention, maybe you guys should try launch it using culverin or amstrong cannon

[@mickeybee]

Dream big. But not too big.

[@jbond9634]

A con job even my 5th grader nephew can think of and better ; just to get a quick shot for that obscene amount of money. And yes, that cape, in the early sixties, all kids wears one and thinks they can immediately take to the sky . this man is just nuts! And we too, if we agree with him. luckily UN was still sane enough to not give him that amount he asked for but instead to Nasa if not we will all believe that the backyard of his house is how the moon looks like.

[@baconn9370]

If you look closely at some of what he's said before, it's quite possible that this is all just a satirical jab at western imperialism. Heck, he even says that he was going to convert indigenous Martians to Christianity. That's the biggest wink-wink nudge-nudge there is.

[@mbahchukwumabenjamin1291]

Crackpots😂😂😂🤣

[@carlosvaler4120]

I don't want to be racist

[@raimundobarbado1147]

Lol!!

[@galaxiedance3135]

I don't think that country is capable of doing anything. It will forever be the way it is. There's no hope at all for those people.

[@rubenoteiza9261]

At least you have to hand them one thing: they didn't fake it when they realized they couldn't do it.

[@truthismycause2800]

Flying pyramids comes to mind for some reason

[@lufon9865]

Mockery of Zambians

[@redcolor9807]

This was clearly a satire....

[@3Starinvideot]

Everyone mocking this doesn't know this is satire

[@mickeybee]

It's not satire.... This was real.

[@gefect78]

Hahahaha