Thembeni resident, Dr Thabani Mazibuko, recently launched his second book on space, Life Beyond The Karman Line, Outer Space.

Building on the success of his first book, Mangwe the Space Boy, which gained international recognition in Washington DC and Chicago, his latest publication continues to inspire readers and promote interest in space science.

Dr Mazibuko describes his second book as a groundbreaking initiative by the South Africa Space-Tech Foundation.

The book was edited by Professor Martin Snow, a leading US solar physicist and research chair in Space Weather at the South African National Space Agency (Sansa) based in Hermanus, Western Cape.

It delves into space technology and astronomy projects such as the James Webb and Hubble Telescopes, robotic rovers, MeerKAT and the emergence of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) era.

“This book contributes to understanding key advancements in space science and is part of a movement to encourage growth and investment in space technologies on the African continent,” said Mazibuko.

His passion for space began in rural Ulundi in northern KwaZulu-Natal, where he created clay and cow dung models of rockets, aeroplanes and planets.

Years later, a visit to a science museum in Bangalore, India, rekindled this fascination, inspiring him to pursue his dreams.

Today, Mazibuko holds a doctorate in space technology for sustainable tourism development and is the founder and chairperson of the South Africa Space Technology for Sustainable Development Foundation (SASTSDF).

The foundation focuses on using space sciences, artificial intelligence and nano-satellites to address societal challenges, such as locating underground water sources with satellite data.

His organisation was a finalist in the Earth Observation’s African Space-Tech Challenge 2020.

Mazibuko’s books and initiatives aim to expose people from townships and rural areas to the vast potential of space sciences.

He has been invited to schools and media outlets to share his work and inspire others to explore space technology.

The book is available at Exclusive Books nationwide and online at www.spacetechfoundation.co.za.

Dr Mazibuko can be reached via WhatsApp at 076 091 8661 or by email at thabani@spacetechfoundation.co.za

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