As Zambia celebrates its 60th anniversary, the Lusaka Contemporary Art Centre (LuCAC)seeks to reflect on the legacy of visionary Edward Mukuka Nkoloso and Zambia’s immediate post- independence period. After the Dream a film and video art screening will shed light on Nkoloso’s relevance to post-colonial Zambia as a necessary antidote to neo-colonialism.

Edward Festus Mukuka Nkoloso (1919-1989) was a science teacher, member of the Zambian resistance movement and the founder of the Zambia National Academy of Science, Space programme. He came up with the term Afronaut which could be interpreted as African Astronaut to refer to his team. These Afronauts have been the subject of subsequent art works and documentaries. Inspired by a flight he took as a young child and his desire to walk on the clouds, Nkoloso’s aim was to train twelve Zambian astronauts and make Zambia the first country to reach the moon before the USA and Soviet Union in the 1960s. Nkoloso’s unwavering courage challenged the doubters and defied the condescension of colonial echoes. He is a testament to unyielding audacity.

LuCAC founder Victor Mutelekesha states that After the Dream provokes contemplation on the latent ambitions of a nation post-independence. It resonates with the daring aspiration not merely for freedom, but for technology. It suggests that inherent aspirations require collective determination and perseverance for their realization. Featured Projects in the screenings include; Afronauts by Nuotama Bodomo, The Afronaut by Kabinda Lemba, Post-independence Video Archives
belonging to Steinar Bosnes (1920-2018) Edited by Njamu Koni, Nachitindikana by Aaron Samuel Mulenga and We are The Future by Chembo Liandisha.

The screening will start at 2pm on Saturday the 13th of January 2024 and last until Saturday 3rd of February 2024. There will be a table discussion on the 14th of February 2024 at 3pm. Both events will be held at the Lusaka Contemporary art Centre (LuCAC) 78 corner of Musekese and Makole road New Chamba Valley, Lusaka, Zambia.
Author: Ng’onga Silupya

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