In 2014, a young Zimbabwean named Timothy Kuhamba posted an audacious Facebook declaration, “I will take Zimbabwe to space” and immediately received swift ridicule.
Today, Kuhamba, a prolific scientist, stands as one of the three engineers behind ZIMSAT-1 and a beacon of African space innovation.
His latest book, Stellar Aspirations: Transforming a Space Dream into Reality charts this extraordinary journey.
Kuhamba holds a Bachelor of Honours in Applied Physics from the National University of Science and Technology, a Post-Graduate degree in Satellite Communication from the University of Zimbabwe. He also obtained a Master’s Degree in Electrical and Space Engineering from the Kyushu Institute of Technology in Japan.
His AGI STK Grand Master highlights Kuhamba’s expertise in the field. He has been recognised for contributions to the space industry,receiving the Space Generation Advisory Council (SGAC) Africa Space Leader Award in 2019 and being included in the prestigious Top 100 Men to follow on LinkedIn in 2022.
In Stellar Aspiration, Kuhamba shares the ups and downs of his story, the lessons learnt and the key stories that kept him focused on his mission.
He also shares efforts and contributions of colleagues who made the project a success.
Kuhamba says the vision of witnessing the Zimbabwean bird soaring through the vast expanse of space coupled with the notion of breaking boundaries and pushing beyond conventional limits fuelled his passion for making this dream a reality.
- Kuhamba: From Facebook dreamer to space pioneer
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As fate would have it, or as time would pass,in 2018 the government through the Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development ministry officially established the Zimbabwe National Geospatial and Space Agency.
The newly created institution would among other things enhance Zimbabwe’s capabilities in global policy discourse on generation, access, use and regulation of the application of space technologies and innovation for sustainable development.
In the following year, Finance minister Mthuli Ncube would set aside resources for the launch of Zimbabwe’s first satellite as part of Zimbabwe’s efforts to engage more on research and development.
“Through unwavering dedication and relentless perseverance, I refused to let go of this dream, every setback only served as a motivation to work harder and overcome obstacles standing in the way”, reads part of the introduction.
Kuhamba narrates his humble beginnings in the vibrant and diverse town of Chitungwiza, a satellite town nestled about 25km from Harare.
“Growing up in Chitungwiza allowed me to witness firsthand the resilience and determination of its people,” he said.
“Despite facing numerous challenges, the community remained united in their pursuit for a better future.
“It is a place where dreams may seem elusive, but it is the heart of this bustling community that my extraordinary tale begins.”
Kuhamba also shares his proficiency and excellence in Mathematics during his elementary school days and how this set the centre stage or triggered his passion for STEM related disciplines.
“During my elementary days at school, my teachers had a mourning routine where they would ask random mathematics questions and expected the class to respond with correct answers as quickly as possible,” he said.
“This exercise was a trigger that sharpened me to solve complex mathematics problems under the pressure with limited time.
“This was a challenging, but rewarding experience that helped me excel in Maths and eventually made pursue a career in a STEM related field.
Kuhamba narrates serious setbacks including falling ill and being bedridden forcing him to be out of school for a longtime, studying in hospital and passing his A’ Levels and getting enrolled at NUST.
He shares the tragic loss of his father at a time he was emerging from the jaws of death.
“While I had survived health scares, my dad was not so lucky, in fact my setbacks had a profound impact on him. The stress associated with my situation took a toll on him. He suffered three strokes and his health continued to decline; it was disheartening to witness my dad losing the battle at a time I was also emerging from the jaws of death,” he writes.
Kuhamba also shares his experiences of working for OK Zimbabwe, his academic journey at NUST, his attachment at the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation and struggling with his varsity fees towards his final year.
“While I was in my dilemma, elsewhere a fortunate circumstance was unfolding. The preparations for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa had drawn many engineers away leaving a void within ZBC workforce. This unexpected turn of events presented a golden opportunity for me to step forward. One morning, a call from the national broadcaster ZBC came, and I was offered employment opportunity. The institution had recognised the fruits of my labour and skills I had honed from my internship. It was a breakthrough moment. Joining ZBC during this critical moment not only provided a solution to my financial obstacles but rather proved to be a catalyst for my professional development,” he writes.
In the book, Kuhamba draws lessons from his life experiences growing up, some of which could be of beneficial to learners in primary and secondary schools including those seeking career related guidance on how they can prepare for the world of work. The author emphasises the importance of mentorship, soft skills, time management amongst others.
He also shares his travelling experiences to countries such as Japan where he learnt broadcasting terrestrial technologies as well as travelling to Italy for TV white space training and the ITU seminar in Switzerland.
“In March 23, 2020, the minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Professor Amon Murwira tasked the ZIMSAT team comprising of Victor Mukungunugwa, Ramson Nyamukondiwa, and myself. The expectations were clear, we were entrusted with the responsibility of designing and building ZIMSAT-1. Besides building ZIMSAT 1, the opportunity also came with a scholarship to pursue a Master's degree in Electrical and Space,” Kuhamba said.
In Stellar Aspirations, Kuhamba takes the reader on a captivating voyage of passion, perseverance, and determination.
He guides readers through the process of elevating Zimbabwe's presence in the field of space exploration.
Conclusively,Kuhamba’s narrative is a story of an African who dared to dream big and transformed that dream into a tangible reality.
*Fungayi Antony Sox is an emerging entrepreneur, brand consultant, communications and publishing specialist from Harare. For feedback email him on [email protected] or contact him on +263 776 030 949.
