Zambia's Laughable Space Program | Tales From the Bottle

The Zambian space program is worth a look for a few laughs - but does it hide a darker secret?
"From 1960 until sometime after 1969, Nkoloso's "space program" sought to accomplish the launching of a rocket that would send 17-year-old Matha Mwambwa and two cats to the Moon. There were also plans for a trip to Mars. Nkoloso hoped to beat the United States and Soviet Union's respective space programs at the height of the Space Race.
To train the astronauts, Nkoloso set up a makeshift facility on an abandoned farm 11 kilometres (7 mi) from Lusaka, where the trainees would be rolled down a rough hill in a 200-litre (44 imp gal) oil drum. This, according to Nkoloso, would train them in the feeling of weightlessness in both space travel and re-entry. In addition, they used a tyre swing to simulate weightlessness.
Nkoloso stated that the goals of the program were to establish a Christian ministry to "primitive" Martians and the hope of Zambia becoming the "controllers of the seventh heaven of interstellar space". However, he reportedly instructed the missionary in the space program not to force Christianity onto native Martians.
The rocket, named D-Kalu 1 after President Kenneth Kaunda, was a 3-metre by 2-metre (10x6 ft) drum-shaped vessel.[3][10] Nkoloso claimed that it was made of "space-worthy" aluminium and copper. The planned launch date was on Independence Day, 24 October 1964 and would take place from the Independence Stadium, but the launch was purportedly denied permission due to being inappropriate.
It is said that he then asked UNESCO for a grant of £7,000,000 in Zambian pounds to support his space program. It is also said he requested $1.9 billion from "private foreign sources". However, the Ministry of Power, Transport and Communication is reported as stating those requests had not been made on the behalf of Zambia.
The term "Afronauts", coined by Nkoloso, refers to the participants of this program with hopes of bringing not just Zambia, but also the entire continent of Africa, to space.
Interviewed in 2016, President Kenneth Kaunda said of the space program that "It wasn't a real thing ... It was more for fun than anything else.""
More on Wikipedia:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_...
Join membership: / @qxir
Second Channel: / @qxir2
Merch: qxir.creator-spring.com/
Patreon: / qxir
Twitter: / qxiryt
Discord: / discord
Twitch: / qxiryt
Subreddit: / qxir

[@Qxir]

Join membership: kzbin.info/door/GHDQtN_vzFYJaq_Fx1eikgjoin Second Channel: kzbin.info/door/t93hxFmjppL5nLRAX94UrA Merch: qxir.creator-spring.com/ Patreon: www.patreon.com/qxir Twitter: twitter.com/QxirYT Discord: discord.gg/jZzvvwJ Twitch: www.twitch.tv/qxiryt/ Subreddit: www.reddit.com/r/Qxir/

[@Cardboard_object]

Boop

[@JDBajaBlast]

Didn't ask

[@cmznuke]

Is there any way I can give more than one like to this video (like...1000 likes)?

[@arandompersonontheinternet8127]

@@cmznuke you could by making multiple accounts

[@guerra_dos_bichos]

Currently India has a large space sector

[@nick-ht3cn]

"He wanted the plane to stop so he could walk on the clouds." The reality this guy lived in sounds trippy.

[@streamer_services]

No way he was serious about that....i refuse to believe that...

[@marksommers6089]

Mushrooms, ???

[@Kevin-hx2ky]

I mean this was 1960s Africa, so

[@wileecoyote5929]

Yea man, he's trippin on the good shit, home grown in Zambia

[@retardgorrilanigler522]

Most endearing shit i heard all day

[@G4M30V3R]

Their space program makes me think of kids playing with boxes in their backyard imagining that they're traveling through space.

[@daviddavidson2357]

Have you seen African aviation? That's a fun one. Qxir should do a video on it. m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/fXWWdHZqr5yKgtk

[@GodOfFuck]

That's all the space programs actually . Billion dollar lies

[@Blox117]

it makes me think of elon musk and his imagination of being successful and intelligent

[@GnuSnu]

@Blox117 who?

[@macethorns1168]

@@Blox117 Sounds like someone's worried about getting their feefees hurt on Twitter. Silly goose.

[@ArtypNk]

All fun and games until you send a first colony ship to Mars and it gets taken down in orbit by a landside Zambian base with heavy AA fire.

[@RupertFoulmouth]

Back in 1984, I was working a Trade Fair in northern Zambia's copper belt region. I was employed by the United States Information Agency and we were to demo farm management software. Quite a few of the people who visited our booth, honestly thought the computer was magical. Of course, most folks knew better but I can see some folks falling for this sort of thing. They were not stupid by any means just had not been exposed to much of the information we now take for granted. Before we laugh too hard at them, the US government was paying me and several others to demo computer software to people who lived on tiny family farms without electricity.

[@seanbardwell2067]

Bullshit, I’m sorry but your story is weak lol it’s ok though

[@cadennorris960]

Technology missionary

[@americangamer1632]

@@cadennorris960 Tech-Priest?

[@Certified_Dude]

@@americangamer1632dear god

[@generaldelasmontanas2699]

literarily 1984

[@swizzyLits]

As a Zambian I have to say the fact I found out about this on KZbin and not in school speaks volume💀

[@philipkeeler9997]

Yep. Be very wary of what they DO teach you. Histories being rewritten globally!

[@double-you5130]

cos its embarrasing and stupid.

[@greycatturtle7132]

Ye

[@robertw1800]

To be fair... Zambia probably wants people to forget this man as he's probably more of an embarrassment than hero folklore... then again he was buried with Honors from the Zambia leader. So I have no clue.

[@swizzyLits]

@@robertw1800 I think he may represent something real in the near future maybe perhaps we may turn his ignorance yet curious approach into something meaningful and beautiful someday

[@oriongabriel6966]

It was never about going to space, it was about the friends they made along the way.

[@williamrivera8063]

That's what a mom with a non-athletic son will say to him you didn't make the team son but at least you made friends 🤣😂😂😂😭😭😭😭

[@noelramirez1551]

And the baby that was also conceived along the way lol

[@emperorconstantinexipalaio4121]

Bruh 💀

[@mannymistakesin8353]

Greatest comment here. I laughed my nuts off at this!!

[@soulgamer9108]

Is this that one piece meme

[@bi5048]

As a non Zambian I’m really proud of the spirit of my people

[@concept5631]

I can respect the tenacity.

[@coffeelink943]

All hail Afronauts

[@concept5631]

@@coffeelink943 o7

[@pulakification]

Higher quality of life than someone living in India, you should be proud.

[@Amoghavarsha.]

​@pulakification who scammed you

[@konstantinNeo]

We're going to Mars! With a spacegirl, two cats in a missionary position.

[@youtuberunbyBLM]

spacegirl got pregnant and the program was scrapped, remember these people built the pyramids

[@mrrandomotakugamer]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@aviralkaul2203]

😂🤣

[@rzlorlnd]

Zambia is literally the last nation I imagined with a space program.

[@KillsAll.]

Have you tried their cannabis? That’ll send you in a cerebral trip into another dimension, allegedly

[@GodOfFuck]

🚀 🐒

[@Blox117]

uh oh the "progressive" crowd are coming for this video and your comment

[@Blox117]

cant say anything bad about the chosen ⬛ people

[@coachmcguirk6297]

I imagine things in alphabetical order too, it's okay.

[@geigertec5921]

This man was a genius, he tricked the world into thinking he was stupid so he could play space cadet all day and get paid for it

[@androidhack3574]

Was he white

[@sandwichninja]

That's a cope. lol

[@Desstrik]

No, he wasnt White. White Men do actually spend their time inventing almost everything good and useful. Cating for and saving all of the other Races. You all are welcome. 😎

[@someoneyoullknow4077]

​@@Cinerarythere smart on there way as they still stay to there traditions due being silence by colonial powers

[@opticfloyyyd]

Nah that’s a cope argument. If it was a ploy, dude was in it for years.

[@maybe6536]

Being part of that space program would probably feel like a weird fever dream. Like you know something feels off but you just dont know what and you roll with it

[@hermeticchonk371]

It's like being high on industrial glue and having to pretend it's mushrooms just to ride it out

[@billrock6734]

This has come as a surprise,they were obviously far more advanced than I thought they were.

[@MrHack4never]

I'm curious about how the US/SR would react if Zambia successfully landed on the moon before either of them

[@jeffreese1828]

Incredulous amazement , no doubt .

[@Dr.TJ_Eckleburg]

Shock, followed immediately by an invasion.

[@Koupip]

Operation paperclip but just for one guy

[@garrettmarshall1288]

We would’ve shot it down.

[@Methus3lah]

*frantically begins scribbling the intro to an alternate history novel*

[@superbad8008]

Nkoloso’s belief in Martians and walking on clouds was stated as if I was supposed to accept that without question.

[@virginiascurti5036]

He did!

[@ochat2010]

Bro, are you really trying to him the benefit of the doubt? Why?

[@eliashickey]

I'm sure he was going to use a broomstick, witchcraft is a real thing here. Just yesterday some guy killed a hyena that attacked him in his but wait for the twist, the hyena turned into his uncle 😅 so yeah, I'm sure witchcraft was going to fill his rocket ship😅😂😝

[@Numbabu]

I believe it

[@pilbomags488]

@@ochat2010 cause hes black

[@AAurum-yy7rv]

I don’t even care if this is satire or earnest this man was living his dream either way and god bless him for that

[@420Khatz]

Is he really though? Sounds like he wasn't successful at living any of it.

[@kanibalismeboy]

I had to pause and give myself a laughing break when I heard the term afronaut.

[@519forestmonk9]

I was in Zambia five years ago, and I have to say I had a great time, the people are lovely, I don’t know if they can make it out to the moon, but I had a good time anyway

[@Lemmon714_]

Mexico sent an orca to the moon so anything is possible.

[@KP-ty9yl]

they have some good emeralds

[@519forestmonk9]

@@KP-ty9yl It is a gorgeous country with lovely people!

[@ericsilver9401]

Smh if only their space program got that 2 billion dollars. Zambia would be ruling the moon

[@kuzy2276]

@@KP-ty9yl yup, That's where Elon's wealth started

[@nkandukataya2813]

Zambian here and huge fan of your channel. When I saw the title I cringed first and THEN clicked. Nkoloso is always a cringey topic here. You handled it very well! Never heard the alternative theory about it being a covert freedom fighting operation. That actually makes sense. Absolutely loved this, warm greetings from Lusaka.

[@plasmasupremacy9321]

Do you think it's likely it was satire, or do people there think he was in earnest?

[@stansmith4054]

Hey, I'm looking for a penpal from Zambia. If you are interested, let me know and I will send my email address. Thank you, sir!

[@Toimu13]

I'm going with covert freedom fighters with a bit of a middle finger to the world. This is based on my experience as an American soldier.

[@African_experience]

Zambian here, I will redeem us from this soon

[@VitchAndVorty]

@@African_experience Like, creating a new space program?

[@reyanshsworld2918]

Don't worry, India was also in this stage, but look at them now. A Message to Zambia, *keep trying, you'll do it.*

[@phuckpootube6231]

India was far far and away more advanced 4000 yrs ago than they will ever be.

[@EPITAPH13]

But India involved science too

[@Isacc..]

But wen you spend billions to do what...wtf did india do there....have they showed you all the film footage of wen they got out and walked on the moon and walked to the darkside of the moon that no one sees. You seen alk that vid...and wats the point in spending billions on going to a rock when millions of people in your country are in poverty...that then is a achivement of dumbness.....also why do you think the other countries went back to a lump of rock...

[@kennethkilian1971]

India had far more resources than Zambia, and an alliance with both Russia and US. Zambia is a tiny country in the middle of nowhere

[@Isacc..]

The the point of reyans comment. Was india on the moon in that time all those years ago ? India was recognised as a third world country at the time .Reyan is sayin look india got to the moon from being a once third world country to now being a recognised powerfull country. He is saying to zambia or anyone else to keep tryin as they can achive too just like india did. But insted you guys come and say basicly but india is great wich makes zero sense in contex to the comment.

[@darrenmcdonald5373]

getting closer to the million subs mate,very well done,thanks for the uploads.

[@homiedaclown4381]

Imagine if they actually succeeded and the first footage from the moon was just a dude crawling out of an oil drum

[@rangerjones5531]

With no space suit!🍺

[@orangequill1645]

@@rangerjones5531 Advanced breathing techniques

[@d.l.d.l.8140]

😂✌🏼

[@childreninmybasement1]

@@orangequill1645 and heavy cosmic radiation protection

[@orangequill1645]

@@childreninmybasement1 Made up by NASA to sell more EVA Suits

[@choolwe]

As a Zambian 🇿🇲 I find this funny, admirable and inspiring all at the same time

[@choolwe]

@Ava Jayna "Feilda Borshon" it sure does lol

[@pohldriver]

I also find it sad. He was so inspired and enthusiastic about space travel, that he thought he could accomplish what the super powers and War funding hadn't after 25 years and tens of billions of dollars. The whole time not even knowing just how much he didn't know.

[@___DRIP___]

@@steiner554 Facts. There’s not a single good competent African country. If Africa somehow broke off and floated into space it would be a net positive and the world’s collective IQ would increase.

[@haydenlandry3837]

@@___DRIP___ you sus

[@haydenlandry3837]

@@___DRIP___ your @ is indicative of white supremacist ideology

[@peterlynchchannel]

I can only imagine how hard it was for Nkoloso to see his ideas stolen by the Soviets and Americans. I'm glad he's finally getting some well deserved recognition.

[@coffeelink943]

Nothing can within Afronauts

[@zoltancsikos5604]

This is a joke, right? Neither the Americans or the Soviets stole anything from Nkoloso.

[@King_Richard01]

dude is wearing a cape, totally legit 💯, no questions from me. Zambia 🇿🇲 to Mars 2024

[@henrikmonkee]

He's just like Black Wolf Dragon Master or Moondog before him, they all lived in a dream world and they even were called crazy but were suprisinlgy sane and left a legacy.

[@WWLinkMasterX]

The idea that this was all just his 4D chess play to teach young people how to make bombs in plain sight is one of the coolest things I've heard in a while. Why haven't I heard anyone propose this before?

[@theotherohlourdespadua1131]

I mean to be fair if presented such facts, what conclusion can you draw from it?

[@Kahhru]

It happens more often around the world than you think, but in a different form. Underground political movements in particular set up schools in the countryside for kids to learn but also to be indoctrinated into their ideology (most often communism).

[@GODCONVOYPRIME]

How is that Cool.

[@derederekat9051]

@@GODCONVOYPRIME you can make thinks go Kaboom in a decentrilazed way.

[@benoliver5593]

​@@derederekat9051 eheheheh I considered it ORKY

[@zlosliwa_menda]

There is no way this wasn't an elaborate joke. This man was a world-class troll, he knew exactly what he was doing.

[@pipopoikapelaa5468]

If he was sad that they wouldn't stop a plane so that he could walk on the clouds, then this guy was atleast 80% serious about this.

[@Cybermat47]

@@pipopoikapelaa5468what makes you think he was being serious when he said that?

[@Connection-Lost]

@@Cybermat47 The average IQ of the nation.

[@Blake4014]

@@Cybermat47 Sadly no african nation has anywhere near the intellectual capacity to reach for the stars. The level of complexity required is just beyond them.

[@curious_thinker]

@@Blake4014 No nation on earth has intellectual capactity to reach stars. It's far too complex. We humans assume that science can achieve everything, given enough time. I don't think that's necessarily true. There may well be things that are impossible to achieve. Interstellar travel in a reasonable timeframe (few weeks to months) may be one of those things.

[@Greenvillian86]

Dude, this is awesome!!!

[@SWISS-1337]

I had to go back, pause and stare at Zambias advanced military division and the more you look the more hilarious it becomes. I think the metal parts are just layers of aluminium foil stuck in layers onto cardboard. I am crying. Painted motor cycle helmet!

[@rrrriajiii]

That was Ghana's

[@Fetidaf]

You should google it. They have a walking “tank” that looks like a child’s toy AT-ST from Star Wars only did leg day for 400 years straight… that they then dipped in more plastic and used cardboard for armor

[@oriont6944]

That was GHANAS

[@sonariantutorials2438]

At some point you gotta feel bad for zambia, like a thousand or so U.S. marines could perform a successful invasion

[@kai_plays_khomus]

@@sonariantutorials2438 Well, and yet it managed to break free from the most powerful empire of its time.

[@rich478]

I almost just choked because I laughed so hard when I heard GWAR mentioned in a KZbin video by an Irish Dude telling me about the Zambian space program and their prep for a moon shot. I live in Richmond, Virginia, USA and GWAR are some of my hometown heros! Keep up the good work buddy. Your videos and storytelling never fail to put a crooked grin on my face, thanks tons!

[@ngkngk875]

Im from Hampton Roads, I had no idea they were local to Richmond.

[@harjon3583]

Hello fellow locals from the tricities area

[@WildWombats]

Hello from Virginia!!!

[@mbryson2899]

It's spelled "GWAR" but pronounced "SPLOOGE!"

[@mbryson2899]

@Rich, are you sure it's a grin they put on your face and not something stickier? 😜

[@manifestgtr]

This reminds me of when I was like 7 years old and planned to launch myself as high as possible in a refrigerator box using Estes rockets and a parachute (whose origin had yet to be determined…bed sheets, perhaps?)

[@spc4brownie]

I like how you were able to tie GWAR and the Zambian Space Program together.

[@brutussandhu9265]

I’ve read about this before. The guy, they say, had also been planning to send some of his trainee astronauts on a round space-trip to the sun as well. Getting burned to hell wasn’t a worry at all because brilliantly enough, his plan was to go there during the night. He even had ready the plans of this fantastic space trip, but there was one hurdle in his path, or rather as he himself put it, just a minor technical problem and which, he added, was trying to figure out how to locate the sun in the darkness of the night.

[@steamedyam]

This is an old polish joke

[@kingbullyrock8739]

@@steamedyam Now, it's a Zambian joke.

[@steamedyam]

As Bob Dylan once said, The times they are A-Changin

[@petegarnett7731]

He must have watched those old French films where the man in the moon got his eye put out by the rocket.

[@gone547]

He should consult with AOC.

[@darthslackus499]

Reporter: "So how do you intend to launch into space?" Nkoloso: "Behold our creation!" Reporter: "Is that a catapult?"

[@palebluedot7435]

It’s about to get real Lol it’s flat earther level but let’s be fair no formal education sooo yup about right

[@nicholasfarrell5981]

The fool, ignoring the superior technology that is the giant slingshot.

[@darthslackus499]

@@nicholasfarrell5981 Nkoloso: "Slingshot? How do you know about our super secretive Space-Y program?!"

[@Cenentury0941]

I mean, catapult-esque mechanisms have been seriously explored with the capacity to yeet things into space, so it's not that crazy of an idea.

[@3rdalbum]

In "The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress", the Luna resistance threw huge metal-capped rocks at Earth using an electromagnetic catapult, so the idea is not dumb at all.

[@bonjovi7120]

This is one of the funniest videos ever. Pure gold😂😂😂😂

[@Nullwastaken]

finally a good video in recommended

[@adenmitchell7633]

This story is surprisingly wholesome

[@GeraltofRivia22]

If you count torture and a man having his mind broken wholesome.

[@rangerjones5531]

@@GeraltofRivia22 with everything he lied about, why think this is gospel?

[@GeraltofRivia22]

@@rangerjones5531 because we know the British did torture anti colonialist fighters.

[@Coldwater-sw6me]

@@GeraltofRivia22 Sometimes insanity is preferable to being sane🤷🏻‍♂️ given the things he went through, it’s no surprise he went for a coping mechanism.

[@MayankPrasad111]

@@GeraltofRivia22 well he deserved it.

[@RM_VFX]

We had a similar space training program at my cousin's house one summer. We even had a space walk simulator, aka, a trampoline. 😂

[@Ferdrew-rp5ey]

😮😮😠😁😆👍👍

[@nikita4734]

That would have been a revolutionary technology in the Zambian Space Training Center.

[@GolfcuBebe]

​@@nikita4734we can bounce off to moon!!!!! Lets goo

[@DylReadsHorror]

Well? Don't keep us in suspense. How did your program go?

[@tinman3586]

All joking aside, trampoline practice would probably do more to prepare you for space travel than this stupid "space program".

[@mathewyoungblood2357]

Im pretty sure that rocket was a water heater 😂

[@notakirakarakaza2118]

"Afronaut" sounds like one hell of a Funk album

[@keeperofgunsandfish]

Sad that a war veteran like Nkoloso was treated so horribly by the empire he defended. Thanks for a humorous, yet thought-provoking video!

[@FazedSoul]

That's the great British empire for you.

[@sabrinatscha2554]

@ azamtheawesome look how well everybody is doing now that they are gone.

[@jacobchevalier1909]

@@sabrinatscha2554 I assume you mean not very well right?

[@JB-yb4wn]

@@sabrinatscha2554 Canada is doing well, better than the UK right now. The Brits left some 155 years ago.

[@jacobchevalier1909]

@@JB-yb4wn I can tell you right now we are not doing well at all

[@stevbrkr]

I was a schoolboy in Kabwe (Broken Hill), Zambia, from 1967 to the end of 1969. We watched the moon landing on TV at school. I remember this "Space Program" being reported in the Times of Zambia newspaper and a lot of people having a good laugh about it.

[@chikapunk4340]

You are old.

[@commandercody2980]

​@@chikapunk4340and? Even if they are, what's it matter?

[@chikapunk4340]

@@commandercody2980 he’s about 70 years old right now

[@commandercody2980]

@@chikapunk4340 so? Does this matter? Does this mean that, for some reason, he can't be on youtube?

[@chikapunk4340]

@@commandercody2980 he was alive during the first moon landing lol

[@1PITIFULDUDE]

“Afronuats” 😂😂🤣

[@VendErre]

Looks like kids playing in the yard. The cape really ties jt together.

[@finacialaddicts1564]

As a Zambian, I can assure you this space program was comedy

[@thomasjay4498]

African comedy is world class. Now if the world can only learn it and appreciate it more.

[@Bolognabeef]

@@thomasjay4498 nah he was serious 💀

[@samroma837]

Yes, it was comedy and deadly serious at the same time.

[@kartofff]

As a French man I laughed all along the video, thinking this guy had an absolute top notch provocative humor, and was a world class practical joker. I wish there were more like this, the world would be a funnier place.

[@scottslater7517]

shut up african

[@stephenwest6738]

When they showed him being interviewed wearing a cape, i realized that my cartoon imagining of the entire situation was closer to reality than i ever deemed realistic. We needed this story.

[@StrangeScaryNewEngland]

How else would he be aerodynamic in air-less space?!

[@atilax6452]

"Space Cape"

[@vlexonkol8466]

NO CAPE!

[@oxxal7357]

Most African thing here was hte fact that 2 started a bender, 1 joined tribal music group and others bang as much as they could :D

[@daniel_dumile]

The fact he was a science teacher reminds me a lot of my teachers in high school and college after I learned everything as a nerd adult...some times speaking well and obedience to the checklist is the only requirement to teach

[@jamontoast]

they should do a movie about this guy. what a legend

[@mirrorblue100]

I'm in!

[@SlapthePissouttayew]

That's what I was thinking. Eddie Murphy would've been classic in this.

[@rich478]

Oh this definitely deserves 2 thumbs up!

[@xu1net]

yeah, aim for the moon land among the stars!

[@Saviliana]

Someone did accidentally made a game about this guy, Kerbal Space Program, the instructor looks like a kerbal version of him too.

[@user-ix1ww9ij9l]

Still way better than my Kerbal Space Program missions

[@pseudotasuki]

100% fewer deaths.

[@darksu6947]

@@pseudotasuki Well, that's no fun.

[@theholypeanut8193]

Very very.

[@saucevc8353]

@@pseudotasuki 100% more pregnancies though!

[@MajoradeMayhem]

Still haven't successfully left the hangar.

[@thomasemison1326]

I'm pretty sure it was the 2nd theory there at the end of your, yet another fantastic video! I must say I was overcome with joy hearing he recieved "presidential honors" at his funeral so much so without a single thought I found myself verbally acknowledging his recognition "Good on ya!" and I'm not typically know for copying our Austraillian cousins terms but there it was. Thanks for all your great content, I feel like I know you in some tiny way. At least apreciating your humor from across the pond like a cousin, and Hell the Brittish did colonize all of us gifting only really a mostly common language. I love those videos on here about all the history and nuance between each former and current Vassal state's version of the english language, linguistics is damned interesting and the sketch out the videos like you do for Tales From the Bottle...

[@TRex-rh6rf]

This man is a genius. Who in the world would have even dreamed of Zambia having a space program. This reminded me of when Fred & Barney joined the army and volunteered to be shot into space to get out of it. I loved the weightless training.

[@ce7580]

lol he had a sub-80 iq. He wasn't a genius. You're just coping.

[@comettamer]

I definitely think the third theory is the most plausible, as it would also explain why Nkoloso continually set up the Zambian Space Agency near whatever day job he'd acquired. Continually moving around would make a freedom fighter training camp harder to locate. Probably some fun going on there too, what with how two of em just went on a drinking binge and never returned.

[@genox3636]

Oh no, they were sober.

[@keithmccabe4040]

What a great sense of humor.

[@jasonrodgers9063]

Would LOVE to see a video of their launch!

[@michaelraith9481]

We wuz austronuts!

[@brythehawaiiguy2356]

Lmao my wife is zambian, she's laughing hysterical at this

[@GodOfFuck]

Zambian girls r smoking hot . Ive dated a few .

[@brythehawaiiguy2356]

@@GodOfFuck AGREED, being an American from Hawaii, I get alot of attention from everyone especially the women, I'm cool with it but my wife absolutely hates it haha

[@superstar5123]

@@brythehawaiiguy2356 Doubt women or anyone actually care about you being from hawaii

[@brythehawaiiguy2356]

@@superstar5123 you be VERY surprised there buddy, especially if you see what I look like, but I doubt you would know anything about that now would you

[@davidallenmandal2439]

@@superstar5123 You must be fun at parties.

[@theunwelcome]

I can't help it, I laughed a little harder with each iteration of the word "afronaut"

[@jeffreese1828]

Yes , "Afronauts" ! They travelled through space in a giant pick comb , to boldly go where no bro has gone before ! 🇿🇲🚀🌛 🎶Waaah-waaaah , wah-wah-wah-waaaah🎶. 👾🛰👽 🖖

[@jackkraken3888]

I kinda like that the phrase..

[@liebestaube5686]

should've been *"niggonaut"*

[@genox3636]

Racist!!!

[@trenchcoatbandit]

i love all of your wacky vids

[@yomamasohot6411]

I remember the West laughing at India's space program a few years back and look at them now. You go Zambia!

[@michubern1444]

India should really solve other problems first but great job 👍

[@yomamasohot6411]

@@michubern1444 How about you keep your advice to yourself? I don't remember asking for one.

[@michubern1444]

@@yomamasohot6411 its the truth and you know it. No need to get angry 🙏

[@yomamasohot6411]

@michubern1444 I'll give you unsolicited advice in return. You should focus more on the rapidly declining position of the West on the international geopolitical stage than the economic state of India. We have been growing the past 30 years, and we will grow for another 50. You will be lucky if the West manages to have as much importance as Africa on the international stage.

[@michubern1444]

@@yomamasohot6411 why are you mad? I just think we should help the street children and the people in the slums first 🙏

[@Methus3lah]

I think it’s a mixture of being a freedom fighting front and being a satire. There’s no way he actually thought he could get them to space, not unless he had severe mania. On an unrelated note, I’m going to start my own space program.

[@MistaTofMaine]

Who knows if this guy was bummed an airline pilot didn't stop a plane mid air so he could dance on a cloud than nothing surprises me about this guy.

[@Methus3lah]

@@MistaTofMaine He was too educated to think he could walk on clouds. He was trolling when he said that. The fact that people believed him proves his point that Europeans and Americans underestimate Africans

[@alventuradelacruz522]

I think that man has a serious trauma

[@the-based-jew6872]

@@Methus3lah the European underestimate Africans becuase most foreign aid and support comes from them. Africans rely I foreign aid to stay afloat. And now China has entered the foreign aid game.

[@alpha_9997]

@@Methus3lah man got a motherfucking law degree. No matter how dumb he was, he wasnt that dumb also this whole thing seems like an elaborate shitpost

[@legokid1902]

I'm shocked you mentioned GWAR, I've been to two of their shows this year, mostly because they were touring with my favorite band Nekrogoblikon, but yeah their shows are absolutely insane, back in June when I first saw them I got pushed out of the mosh pit right to the front of the stage, I cannot tell you the reaction at the bar later when I walked in drenched in blue and red and exhausted out of my fucking mind

[@igitha..._]

"Hey! Hey Mark! You love Gwar! Why don't you _join_ the band? Woah Mark man you play a mean guitar man! "

[@scarletcrusader5431]

Should've seen them before Oderus died, was such a unique experience

[@RushGamma]

Ive never seen another human being mention Nekrogoblikon let alone claim them as their fav band 😂

[@danevertt3210]

@@igitha..._ is that a quote from Empire Records (1995)

[@MrPoogly]

At my first Gwar concert the guy standing next to me was hit by meat they fired from a catapult into the audience

[@PrimitiveArchery6]

Future of western Europe. So many engineers🎉

[@ugurkocadag4638]

thanks for making me lose some more brain cells at 3 am

[@fourtyfivefudd]

I think he absolutely was either just making one big joke or was covertly training freedom fighters. He was extremely well educated, even more so than most college graduates today. I doubt he genuinely thought he could get to space with an empty oil drum and nothing else.

[@raphwalker9123]

So educated he wanted to walk on clouds.He wasnt allowed to open his own school because the authorities realised hes a idiot

[@HubertofLiege]

The space race has given us a lot of corresponding technology. Tang, ICBMs, and from Zambia that guy that speed reads books in two seconds.

[@non_brewed_condiment]

Holy shit. This man was a genius. The footage of kids pushing him on a swing. Brilliant

[@matthewpetrini6213]

The fact that you know Gwar lol that’s awesome

[@HistoryintheDark]

The man wore a cape during training like a true spaceman. Godspeed, legend.

[@passthenirvana8823]

This piece of weird history would make quite a good movie I feel

[@FizzleFX]

You REALLY should have uploaded this on 1# april. This is sureal.

[@LilFish0]

The fact that he had a dream and he tried and tried to work with the resources he had is inspirational enough

[@concept5631]

You can say whatever you want about him, but you have to respect your tenacity.

[@IntravenouslyDruggedSloth]

4:10 "the afronauts" 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 this is comedic genius

[@robertcrawford7485]

Good research mate

[@chadjones1266]

Thanks again

[@MrGrace]

I aspire to have this level of belief in my own abilities as Nkoloso had in his space program. If I achieve this, I might actually publish my book.

[@justkittensbeingkittens5892]

What’s your book about?

[@MrGrace]

@@justkittensbeingkittens5892 its about relationships, and how we can be better people so that we can be better lovers ❤️❤️❤️ thanks for asking!

[@krys9455]

@@MrGrace try to go for it man. The best things often come when you take that leap. Hope everything works well 👍

[@MrGrace]

@@krys9455 thank you Krys! I sure will ❤️

[@drosselvonflugel4886]

Did you publish your book?

[@NeroDefogger]

ow... now I'm sad, he looked like a cool guy that wanted to have fun and had dreams, not many people are like him, I myself always tried to be more or less like him actually, at least he was honored when he passed away, but I think he actually deserves more, what a cool guy, hope you were able to reach the stars wherever you are now ⭐

[@ENCHANTMEN_]

@Ava Jayna "Feilda Borshon" With the increasing prevalence of smallsats and rideshares, the barrier for entry to access to space is getting smaller and smaller. I imagine we'll see more minor space programs with satellites in the future. There's also the approach taken by countries like Canada; they lack the resources to launch their own rockets, but specialize and join in international efforts. They lead the world in robot arms for space. Every space shuttle flew with a Canadarm in its payload bay, and most incoming craft berth with the ISS via Canadarm 2. And as a participant in these programs, they've had their astronauts fly in over a dozen missions.

[@StrawberryEyes0]

@Ava Jayna "Feilda Borshon" and put tribes up there that can walk on clouds.

[@dunlap1814]

@Ava Jayna "Feilda Borshon" naaa.. what he did was dupe his own gullible black people out of money...you know..like the blm did..

[@takenbythewindNdrivenbythesea]

Well, this is the best space program that I ever seen and it’s a very ambitious ones.

[@jm3275]

This should be made into a movie

[@thepsychedeliccartographer5765]

I love seeing this in my updates! Woohoo!!! Let's go Qxir! Can't wait to watch, you never disappoint brother! Update: did not disappoint this guy's a very interesting person, I'm thinking when people said they didn't know if he was crazy or eccentric I was reminded of a quote " the only difference between insane and eccentric is what the person has in there bank account"

[@WhyKeepGoing]

You're my favorite channel. Each of your videos are creative and engaging. The topics are always fun and interesting. Thanks!

[@HeyYouYouAreFinallyAwake]

@LeoS is your dad back with the milk yet?

[@afungusamungus2860]

Too bad they're bullshit.

[@WhyKeepGoing]

@@afungusamungus2860 what do you mean?

[@user-lb3nw1pg9o]

It's sad , but funny as hell at the same time.

[@YearsOVDecay1]

02:50 OMFG the little helmet filled with the Afro 😂 Afro-naut 😂

[@wanderinghistorian]

One thing we could've learned from Zambia's space program was their fashion. I'd love it if our astronauts wore stylish capes.

[@chucklebutt4470]

Capes in 0 G are just blankets you get tangled up in. They should definitely walk around on earth with them, though!

[@theotherohlourdespadua1131]

Edna Mode from the Incredibles Franchise said it best: NO CAPES!

[@goschsenpai943]

my guy is just vibing with the boys and doing some funny shit and getting exercise

[@troglodyte6949]

Ah... It's like the good ol' days when me and my buddies used to play astronauts.

[@viktorfunk1819]

2:01 Off to a good start. Just duct tape a trashcan lid to the top, move the rocket onto 50 kg of dynamite and look at that brave afronaut go to heaven 👍

[@ericp3645]

AFRONAUT is the best word I've learned in a while.

[@manifestman132]

I forgot about this until now. I could definitely see it as a way to train soldiers in secret.

[@rockspyder3970]

This gives a totally new level of meaning to the Dunning-Krueger effect. Once empowered by belief, there is no amount of explanation that would work

[@seanbardwell2067]

No it doesn’t, terrible analogy lol. He was clearly extremely intelligent and accomplished if you didn’t gleam that from the video then you failed to absorb the simplest points from it. He was either trolling or genuinely gone mad although considering he went on to get a law degree afterwards it seems unlikely he was that mad. There is no way he genuinely believed he was successfully training people for space. Based on all his accomplishments he likely was a smarter, braver, more successful person than yourself or me.

[@igitha..._]

The cape. It's the cape that makes it convincing.

[@AWormsPurpose]

The Zambian Space Program’s a pretty killer band name

[@texasslingleadsomtingwong8751]

This man needs a movie of high quality done about him .

[@Bbffhx]

The space program was on track until the rubber band broke

[@imjustasbadasu]

I can't help but to admire their moxie. To be as industrially far behind as they were and yet still endeavor to take on such an ambitious goal.. just astounding

[@imjustasbadasu]

@contrapasso1539 yes, kinda like the thin veil of sarcasm on my post.. but I do agree

[@MultiSciGeek]

You missed the point entirely

[@imjustasbadasu]

@MultiSciGeek so.. you can't read sarcasm either? Talk about missing the point.. you ever heard of a joke, Mr know-it-all?

[@joseluisdiazcarrillo71]

Go Nkoloso!!! Not the hero we want, but the one we deserve!

[@hjvdb6829]

So sweet

[@user-rp3kr7oo8w]

I'm a born and bred Zambian, and i speak for everyone when i say, we've never heard of this guy

[@Optidorf]

Seems like a free-spirited individual who only intended the best for his people and country. The world should be more like him.

[@AnAdorableWombat]

I agree.

[@johncarter40101]

People are mocking him , but that's how a great story begins...

[@fidelistq]

He's program was a joke and should be treated as such

[@JackieOwl94]

No. He’s a moron. People that stupid should he barred from office.

[@Adam-ix1gv]

No the world really shouldn’t or we are doomed

[@joselee9605]

The idea of this being purposeful satire is actually pretty genius now that I think about it. Converting “primitive martians” and “walking on clouds” seems a bit too specific to be complete deranged madness. And understanding the history of what the guys been through is pretty substantial evidence. Or he could’ve had his mind broken by torture, and the beauty is that we’ll never know.

[@heartcrafts3426]

When you know its NOT satire you understand why people thought what they did about them in the past?

[@DuneSurfer]

If you're from Africa, you will know it's not satire.

[@Dan-yk6sy]

I'd like to think it was clandestine gruella fighting school. All the fertilizer and tnt? Rocket fuel of course. All the young men running around doing exercise, just getting in shape for the mars mission. Well, yes of course they have rifles on their runs, what if the martians are armed? All those maps with government offices marked - that's just so we know where to point antennas for emergency communication...

[@wutm8]

Being African seems like it would be fun. All the civil wars aside it seems like they have fun out there

[@Klezzr]

@@Dan-yk6sy darn, you beat me to it, and yea i agree