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By Correspondent
TWENTY-three-year-old Tafadzwa Banga’s goal in life is to bring about meaningful contribution to the community.
Apparently, others viewing him from a different perspective, seem to come to the same conclusion.
In March this year (2021), he was awarded a Mars-Moon Astronautics Academy and Research Sciences (MMAARS) Scholarship, which he will pursue next year, while a few weeks ago, the African Space Industry (ASI) identified him as one of its “Top 10 under 30 – Class of 2021”.
Banga and an Ethiopian student, also aged 23, were the youngest among the 10 Africans announced last week.
The African Space Industry in announcing the “Top 10 under 30” last week said Africa’s youth are contributing “innovative, ground-breaking ideas” that keep the continent evolving.
It was this realisation of the contribution by the continent’s youth, which led to the launch of the “Top 10 under 30” two years ago, in order “to spotlight the profiles of the top 10 innovators, engineers, researchers, writers and contributors to the African space industry”.
A team of five distinguished judges drawn from as many African countries – respected professionals across private and public institutions with vast knowledge and experience of the African Space Industry – ranked the top 10 under 30.
According to the African Space Industry,
“These young people continue to display outstanding courage and contributions to the industry, reminding us at all times that Africa is ready to take a place in the global space market.”
The space industry in Africa, ASI says, has recorded tremendous growth, which has led to the establishment of government agencies and research institutions, while there is also the emergence of new space companies across the continent, which are focused on providing the required services to fuel the growth of the industry.
Notes ASI: “This exponential growth potential needs to be realised sustainably by capitalising on the continent’s people and abundant resources. Therefore, an essential part of the African space industry is the intellectual contribution of the people who work in it.
“While the industry has many important pioneers, in recent times, the Africa space industry is enjoying significant contributions from young innovators, engineers, entrepreneurs, teachers and enthusiasts in other parts of the industry.”
Banga, an Industrial and Manufacturing student at NUST is the founder of the Young Innovators organisation at the Bulawayo-based institution.
In 2018 he led the Zimbabwe team represented by students from Young Innovators to win a regional Hackathon competition that the University of Oxford and NEPAD SANBIO organised in South Africa.
Banga has been an active member of the Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS) since 2018, and served as the National Chairperson of the SEDS NUST Chapter. His passion for space has seen him lead other students in launching a student designed electronic payload in near space high-altitude balloon – the first such related project for Zimbabwe.
The launch made a significant impact in the awareness of space education and breast cancer.
Banga was also part of the United Nations Fourth Africa Space Generation Workshop organising team and one of the delegates who attended the workshop, held in Ghana.
His work and contribution in these efforts are part of the reason he landed the MMAARS Scholarship.
Banga says he wasn’t really expecting the African Space Industry recognition, adding: “Quite frankly, it came as a surprise. There are many youths in Africa who are already in the space industry and so being given such an honour is nothing but a dream.
“It is my hope to gain more knowledge and practical experience through already established space institutions or companies such that I can be able to help our own space agency grow.”
NUST’s Director for Communications and Marketing, Thabani Mpofu, says Banga’s achievement is a strong demonstration that NUST students are trained to make an impact in society with the creative and innovative skills imparted during their education experience that is consistently rated among the best locally and beyond.
“As a University, we are excited to see the fruits of Heritage-Based Education 5.0 whose focus is teaching and learning, research, community engagement, innovation and industrialization.”
NUST prides itself in being renowned for pioneering industry-based learning in Zimbabwe where students access a range of industry placements and STEM rich work-learning environments that challenge them to live by the University motto of “Think In Other Terms”.
As leaders of human capital development for industrial and socio-economic transformation, NUST says, its goal is to produce graduates with a strong combination of theoretical and practical experience, as well as good communications and technological skills.
“We are committed to producing innovative and entrepreneurial graduates whose qualifications and skills are locally and internationally recognised,” explained Mpofu.
The African space ecosystem continues to enjoy tremendous growth in terms of technical know-how and innovation. Governments, private companies and international bodies have continued to invest in academic institutions, research and programs that advance the industry in Africa.
Africa has the highest youth population in the world, and the industry grows because African youths keep contributing innovative, ground breaking ideas that have kept Africa evolving. In 2019, we started the Top 10 under 30 series to spotlight the profiles of the top 10 innovators, engineers, researchers, writers, and contributors to the Africa space industry. This year, having gone through a thorough selection process, we are once again presenting Africa’s top 10 under 30 in the Africa space industry. These young people continue to display outstanding courage and contributions to the industry, reminding us at all times that Africa is ready to take a place in the global space market.
Meet the Class of 2021 for the African Space Industry Top 10 Under-30 Award:
The African space ecosystem continues to enjoy tremendous growth in terms of technical know-how and innovation.
Governments, private companies and international bodies have continued to invest in academic institutions, research and programs that advance the industry in Africa.
Africa has the highest youth population in the world, and the industry grows because African youths keep contributing innovative, ground breaking ideas that have kept Africa evolving. In 2019, we started the Top 10 under 30 series to spotlight the profiles of the top 10 innovators, engineers, researchers, writers, and contributors to the Africa space industry.
This year, having gone through a thorough selection process, we are once again presenting Africa’s top 10 under 30 in the Africa space industry. These young people continue to display outstanding courage and contributions to the industry, reminding us at all times that Africa is ready to take a place in the global space market.
Online Reporter