African Space Program: A Sign Of A Rapidly Developing Contenent Even In The Midst Of Human Crisis

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What a Difference a Decade Makes
A decade ago, the idea of an African space agency might be met with disbelief, even laughter. A continent characterized by famine and tinhorn dictators and ethnic slaughter certainly could not send a rocket into space.

That same attitude toward Africa tends to dominate even today. But the reality of Africa is diverging significantly from the old tropes. Today, eight African countries have space agencies, space centers or mission control facilities. Several others, including Uganda and Ghana, are in the process of launching theirs. Megascience projects are sprouting up from the Cape of Good Hope to the Gold Coast.

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As Paul Quirke notes in Consultancy Africa, there has even been extensive discussions regarding the creation of a cross-national African Space Agency, one which “will liberate Africa from the technological domination of the West,” according to Sudan’s president, Omar al-Bashiri.
What explains this shift? According to African scientists, the increase of the speed and affordability of computing power, advances in manufacturing, youth, focus on the achievable and a grim determination on the part of African governments to invest in a scientific future have turned the continent and aimed it straight at the future.


Money, cables and focus
Currently the continent’s largest economy, South Africa has increased its spending on space sciences to €127.4 million, according to Professor Nithaya Chetty, group executive for South Africa’s National Research Foundation.  In Africa as a whole, he estimates current spending at € 153.8 million. Africa writer G.P. Zacharay estimates South Africa spends 64% of all space research funds in the continent.

“What is certain is that there is significantly more expenditure on space science and technology in Africa than there was 10 years ago,” said Dr. Peter Martinez, Chairman of the South African Council for Space Affairs and head of the Space Science and Technology Division of the South Africa Astronomical Observatory.  “What has changed is that there is a greater appreciation among Africa’s political leadership of the important role of space science and technology as a motor of socioeconomic development.

Knowing where to focus that money can make the difference between becoming a world player and staying in the scientific shadows. Southern Africa in particular is well positioned for astronomy and that has become its focus, both in optical and especially radio astronomy.
“Southern Africa has a geographic advantage in astronomy because of direct sight into the Milky Way,” Chetty said. “but also because we have huge tracks of virgin territory with radio quiet zones and optically clear skies.” This, according to Martinez “attracted considerable investments from countries of the North in astronomy facilities in Africa, particularly southern Africa, which now hosts some of the premier ground-based astronomy facilities in the world, making it an attractive destination for scientists to work.”

It’s this focus that has made the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) particularly suitable for South Africa.
When the 1.5 billion Euro SKA is finished, it will be the single largest scientific structure in the world, dwarfing CERN’s Large Hadron Collider. When construction is completely finished and the structure is operational, it will create a radio telescope array made of 3,000 individual radio telescopes in South Africa and Australia, covering a total of five square kilometers.
The advent of high speed computing and networking and fibre optical cable knitting together the continent has also made space science projects, large and small, practical in a way they were not before. The continent is surrounded by undersea high speed cabling that has tied it firmly into the world’s information economy.

And the SKA is simply the largest and most dramatic example of African astronomy facilities and programs. An African very-long-baseline inferometry (VLBI) satellite network is currently being built across the country; the High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.) gamma ray telescope is operational in Namibia (below); the largest radio telescope in the world, the MeerKAT, is under construction in South Africa and the fifth largest optical telescope in the world, the South African Large Telescope (SALT) is located in the Northern Cape Province.

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Training and entrepreneurship
“African governments,” Chetty believes, “are finally coming around to understand the critical importance of science as an instrument for development. Training in astronomy, and training in computing and engineering leads to skills that are very wide ranging and are transferable to other disciplines and even in endeavors far removed from academia; for example in commerce and industry. This will become the basis for training a new generation of technicians and artisans.”
Yussif Abdulmumin, the national point of contact for Ghana’s Space Generation Advisory Council (GSAC), agrees.

“Effective space partnering has taken a strong hold in Africa, especially in Ghana,” he told us. “Although Ghana has not long experience in space-related events and does not have a major presence on the global space stage, its socio-economic advancement and sustainability depends largely on the use of space technologies, applications and services.”

Ghana’s government has established the Ghana Space Science and Technology Centre (GSSTC) which is both a center of development and teaching but also seeks to overtly leverage “commercial application of space science research for the economic transformation of Ghana.”

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Over 50% of Africa’s population is under 30 years of age. The enthusiasms of that group in Ghana have powered a deep concern for space and what knowledge of space means to those on Earth. To educate and practically guide those whose enthusiasm for space is fueling the current interest could be the make-or-break in whether that interest has a developmental potential for the country and the West African region.

Justin Jonas, director of SKA South Africa said his project is a tool to develop the talents and knowledge of African scientists in a public sphere and is deeply interwoven with a “human capital development program.”

“SKA’s going to be the biggest thing around,” Jonas said. “One of the first thing we set up was over 400 grants in five or six years.” The grants have allowed, and will continue to allow, graduate students to get hands-on experience designing, building, maintaining and utilizing the SKA. A quarter of students South Africa has hosted on the project so far have been from within Africa but from outside South Africa itself.

“Over time, a good proportion of those students will power the economies of South Africa and other countries” in Africa, he said. They will start their own companies, run others and govern their countries’ policies, because they will have demonstrable proof of excellence and experience at the very top level of practical science and engineering.
“The bottom line is, African governments are finally beginning to listen to the scientists,” said Chetty. So is business.

Afronauts Assemble!
But when are we going to see an African astronaut fly to the moon in an African rocket ship? This is a question we asked practically everyone we talked to because, well, some of us watched men walk on the moon on grainy televisions in primary school classrooms.
For one thing, there have been Africans in space, technically. Three of them so far. However, the two who were astronauts—Phillippe Perrin born in Morocco and Patrick Baudry, born in Cameroon—were born to parents from outside Africa, joined the French Air Force and do not live in Africa;  and the other, South African Mark Shuttlesworth, was a space tourist.
But Africans aboard an African space vehicle leaving Earth? For Africa, Chetty explained, astronomy, not manned exploration, is the key to space.

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“Space programs in Africa are not focused on getting men in space,” he said. “Telescopes-on-the ground is very achievable and we can produce world class science from them. In terms of development, astronomy catches the imagination of everyone, children to old folks; it brings cultures together. Is there a culture on the planet that has not looked up into the sky and wondered? astronomy has become a sort of brain gain, and a way to develop a number of peripheral activities which other sciences don’t  have the ability to do.”

In the past, Southern Africa has been a place for Europeans to come to look at the sky, make their observations and hie it on back to their home countries and their own universities, in essence, taking their science with them, a practice Chetty calls “extractive science,” is being supplanted by a more independent and then cooperative model.

“There has been little endemic development of the science,” in Africa until now. “Now, we’re paying a lot of attention to producing an environment where science will develop, building up our universities. For me, that’s the dream: international scientists come to collaborate because we’re doing world class science. Extractive science, neo-colonial science, that’s not going to happen on our watch.”

Yeah! Definitely
Chris Nsamba, the founder of the private Africa Space Research Program (ASRP) in Uganda, however, disagrees.
“Yeah! Definitely“ there will in time be an African astronaut reaching space in an African rocket.
The ASRP plans to launch a satellite from a Ugandan-built rocket next year. He said a successful test of the booster rocket was completed in 2011. His $45 million project is primarily funded by wealthy donors, though Nsamba said the Ugandan government has pledged some funds. Its facilities are on land owned and provided to the project by one of the funders.

Theirs will not be the first Africa-launched, African-built satellite. South Africa and Nigeria have both launched their own, with the latter making clear their intent to put a man in space by 2015. Other countries have also launched satellites purchased from others and still more have had other countries launch satellites from and for them.

What makes the program unique is its bootstrapping, a kind of do-it-yourself approach known in Kiswahili as “jua kali.” But do not mistake do-it-yourself for amateurish.
Perhaps it’s fitting that Uganda is so ambitious. After all, NASA’s first African-American flight director is Kwatsi Alibaruho, a Ugandan national.
The tug between entrepreneurs and governments can get very enthusiastic in Africa. Often whether you are government-funded may depend as much on your political connection to those in power as on the scientific, or economic merit, of your project. Some may consider the ASRP project to be putting the cart before the horse. Unlike the programming of a mobile money application, satellite launches are extremely resource and infrastructure-intensive.
But Nsamba and his crew are independent-minded.

“I tell my boys, it’s our planet,” he said. “it’s like we’re all in the same vehicle, a big bus. If you’re in America, Asia, Europe, we’re all in the same bus;  if our bus has a problem we’re all concerned. If all countries are doing homework for Africa, it means Africa is lazy. Now, we are being responsible”
Africa has a two-century long history of engagement with scientific astronomy, Chetty noted. It also has a longer history of naked-eye human observation of the heavens out of any place on the planet.
It seems like a reasonable foundation to build on.

Tiwa Savage: I’d Like Us To Be More International And Be The Pioneer Of African Music

 

Among the many words that can describe Tiwa Savage’s sojourn in the Nigerian music industry, the most apt is ‘meteoric’. The reason is not far-fetched.

Just a few years back, Tiwa, amidst fear of the unknown, left the U.K where she already had everything going for her as a backup singer and songwritter for most UK’s high-flying artistes to build her music career in Nigeria.Despite facing series of  discouragements, she did not give up on her resolve to break new ground in the nation’s music industry. Today, she is one of the best things that ever happened to the industry. Come on board as she takes us on a journey into her life, her career and the man in her life.

Your debut album will drop any moment from now. What are your fans expecting from you?

Tiwa This album is straight from my heart and it’s something that I’ve worked so tirelessly for. A lot of people wondered why it took me so long a time to drop my own album. That’s because we had to go through a lot of legal processes to clear some of the samples that we used, and that took us some months.

Also, we wanted to work with notable producers outside the shores of the country like Oak who produces Rhinna. So, we had to work around his schedule and waited for them to have our time. But this album is something that I really took my time with because I didn’t want it to be the usual Nigerian album that contains just party tracks from the beginning till the end.

Why did you title your album ‘Once Upon A Time?’ Once you hear ‘Once Upon A Time’, you know it’s story time. My life has been an amazing story and I wanted to reflect that on my album. Also, I wanted to motivate other upcoming artistes that, once upon a time, I was a little girl living at Isale Eko and I dreamt of doing this, and here I am doing it. So, I want their ‘once upon a time’ to turn into reality. It’s a 19 -track album.

There are tracks like Wanted, Ileke, Middle Passage, Olorun Mi, Why Don’t You Love Me, Fela Interlude, Love Me Love Me Love me, Eminado ft Don Jazzy, Folarin, Oh Yeah ft Don Jazzy, Shout Out ft Ice Berg Slim & Sarkodie, Written All Over Your Face, Get Low, Ife Wa Gbona ft Leo Wonder, Eji ma fia, Baby Mo ft Flavour, Stand As One ft General Pype, and Thank You. It also has two bonus tracks like Without My Heart ft Don Jazzy and Kele Kele.

Looking back to when you stormed the nation’s music industry a few years ago, how do you feel today?

Like you said, a lot of people tried to discourage me from coming home. They told me that people who came before me were not really welcomed home, and that it is even worse for a female singer. They even said there was no way I could be on the same stage with the likes of Tuface, Wizkid and many others.

I got discouraged somehow. As a matter of fact, after I dropped Kele-Kele, I moved back to Los Angeles. Then, I dropped Love Me Love Me and it grew even bigger. So, I decided to move back to Nigeria because people around me encouraged me that I could make it if I’m consistent in what I’m doing. That was how I was encouraged to do more. I thank God for where I am today.


A lot of female artistes complain of being marginalised in the industry.Do you have the same experience?

I think every female artiste needs to work ten times harder than the opposite s*x and that’s why I put much effort into what I do. Usually, what most artistes do is wait until when they drop their album to do an album launch. But I think it’s important to do an exclusive listening because the press are the ones who are going to project my image to the outside world. And that’s why I had to organise a press listening party so that you guys can assess me, and also, to let you know how much you mean to me.

Now that you’ve become a big brand, aren’t you scared of competition from other female artistes?

Why would I be scared? Back in America, we have the likes of Beyonce, Nicky Minaj, Mariah Carey and other female acts standing tall. So why would there be just one person shining here? After all, here in Nigeria, we have male acts like Davido, Wizkid, M.I, Tuface and other big names at the same time. It’s not fair to have just one female act in the industry. So, I’m glad that more female acts are springing up. Having more female acts in the industry will open more doors.


Tiwa In the song, Ife Wa Gbona, you featured an artiste and there’s this scene where both of you were in the forest singing to each other. He spoke Yoruba to you but you replied in English. Is it that you don’t speak Yoruba?

Of course, I speak Yoruba fluently, omo Yoruba ni mi(I’m a Yoruba ). We did it for a purpose because I have a mixed audience. If he speaks Yoruba and I reply him in Yoruba language, how will my fans in South Africa, Uganda and all over the world be carried along?

The track Eminado has this special kind of tone. How did you come about it? That sound and name is the handiwork of Don Jazzy. We got the idea when we were in the studio rehearsing. We were just playing around with words and sounds. So when it came up, we thought it was a good one and we decided to turn it into a song.

What was growing up like for you? Growing up was very interesting. There were no barriers, I was just free. I had a very healthy upbringing. My parents ensured that I was grounded and I had lovely brothers.


You appear like someone who will easily be affected by negative stories. Have you had any scandal?

I don’t think I’ll feel bad whenever I read a negative story about myself. I believe everybody has an opinion and that’s life for you. No matter how beautiful you look, , there’s someone somewhere who would still say you are ugly. So, for me, I’ve only done something from my heart and haven’t compromised my integrity. In my album, I have party songs and tracks for everyone no matter your preference. So, I’ve satisfied my fans and I think I’m going to leave the rest to God.

A lot of people see you as a sex symbol. Are you one? No, I’m not. If you ask my family whenever I’m home, I’m not like this. I’m far from the Tiwa Savage you see on stage. I’m a quiet person.
What has fame done to you? Naturally, I’m the outgoing type but fame has made me more reserved unlike some artistes who would claim they haven’t changed once they start making more money. It’s a lie. There’s nobody that can tell you they haven’t changed. I think I’ve changed because I’m more wary of those I move with, where I go and those that come around me. I trust people less now because I want to keep my sanity. I also think people around me have also changed because they expect more from me. I might make a mistake and that’s normal for everyone but because it’s Tiwa Savage, my mistakes get blown up and exaggerated. So I’m more conscious of what I do and say in public than before.


Why did you suddenly go into partnership with Tunji by co-owning 232 Entertainment. Are you not scared of the unexpected?

Tunji is an exceptional man. We’ve worked together and we trust each other. So, I’m not scared that anything negative will come up between us. I don’t work with fear because fear is not of God.
Why was the Marvin crew absent at your album listening session? You well know that I’m also part of the crew and the day I held my album listening session was an important day in my life and career. So, their absence wasnt deliberate. They were away in South Africa for the opening show of Big Brother Africa- The Chase. They had to perform live. But they surprised me on that day when they sent in a live recorded message to me. It was played for all to see . I was so happy because I didn’t expect it, honestly.

Is there any track dedicated to Tunji in your album? Yes, there’s this track Written All Over Your Face. I dedicated the song to him for the role he played in my life. I met him at a time when no one was ready to help because I’m a female artiste. And whenever I wanted to give up and cry sometimes, he always encouraged me to be strong and move on. He’s my back bone. I love him because he’s been there for me. He wiped my shame away when he put a ring on my finger.


Tiwa Why did you say he took your shame away. Were you ashamed of being single? (Laughs).

You know in Nigeria when a lady isn’t married and is just focused on her career, people think there’s something wrong with her. But he understood my journey. He was able to push me career-wise and encourage me. So, I just had to do a song for him.

There’s a mix up somewhere. Are you signed to Marvin or 323 Entertainment? I’m actually signed unto 323 Entertainment. It’s owned by Tunji Balogun, T.J and he’s also my partner, we own it together. 323 is under Marvin but Tunji handles my day to day business.

You’re signed to Marvin and 323. Where is the place of Sony Records? I’m still signed to Sony in America as a songwriter. And even as I’m doing my album there, I’m still writing for other artistes. I just had to make that commitment. I just did a song for Monica called Catch With Me Him on her last album. And they just called me few weeks ago that I have another song with Fantasia again, and other songs I’m writing for other artistes. So I’m still signed to the label. .

Have you started your project?
 Yes I have. I’ve met with a lot of organisations and already put up something to fight chest cancer. Very soon, screenings will start especially for young girls. I also visit the motherless homes quite often but I don’t put it in the press because I don’t want to expose those kids. And the video I did, Olorun Mi is to give back to people who lost their loved ones in those tragic situations.


What inspires you?
 I get inspired by a lot of things; life heartbreaks, happiness and Nigeria as a country. If you listen to the Olorun Mi track, I wrote it because I missed those close to my heart who have died. But I’m disturbed because as a country when we lose our loved ones, there should be statues and memorials to remember them. But here, we just move on as if nothing happened. So I got inspired by those lives we lost during the Dana plane crash to do that song.


What would like to be remembered for?
 The late Whitney Houston is remembered for what she accomplished while she lived. She inspired many people. I want kids to say when I’m gone that if Tiwa Savage could do it, they can equally do it.


Is there anything you would like to change in the Nigerian music industry?
 I’d like us to be more international and be the pioneer of African music and I think it’s happening slowly. I’d like a situation where I go to the UK and hear more of Nigerian music on radio and have our artistes nominated for the Grammy’s . In addition, I’d like to put necessary structures in place and ensure that piracy law is enacted in the country.