Background of the Outreach and Education:
The African continent is home to a vast diversity of peoples, languages, and traditions. One of the many unifying threads that
binds nations is the sky above that holds a special place in African cultures and thinking. Astronomy outreach aims to align
this unification with the knowledge revealed by science on the Universe.
The African Astronomical Society (AfAS) itself has been reconstituted in 2019 in an exciting era of African astronomy. The
continent is host to some of the largest global infrastructures such as SALT, SKA/MeerKAT and HESS; this has provided an
initial impetus for universities to offer courses at all levels in astronomy. The resultant increase in visibility and interest in
astronomy amongst the public now needs to be nurtured further by enhancing the public’s understanding of contemporary
research and its benefit to society as well as improving science literacy through on-going public engagement activities.
Many countries in Africa have active and enthusiastic astronomy practitioner who can be found within amateur astronomy
associations, tertiary institutions, science centres, schools and college clubs. The Outreach Committee of AfAS therefore
needs to be an active participant in this ecosystem, supporting their work, encouraging new groups and people, and
connecting all of them across Africa.
Outreach and Education Objectives:
- To support and enhance existing astronomy outreach efforts across Africa.
- To establish and coordinate a network of astronomy outreach professionals across Africa, building on existing formal/informal partnerships.
- To increase science and astronomy literacy across Africa and enhance the presence of astronomy in the public domain.
- To create and curate reliable and accessible resource material on astronomy for the general public, learners and teachers.
- To promote astronomy in African countries where currently there is little or no interest.
Outreach and Education Members:
Name |
Country |
Position |
| Nikhita Ramkilowan | South Africa | Chair |
| Bramuel Nakholi | Kenya | Vice Chair |
| Joseph Mafuka Lusala | DRC | General member |
| Amenti Daniel Emiru | Ethiopia | General member |
| Samuel Nyangi | Kenya | General member |
| Suhaila Ibrahim Tantoush | Libya / South Africa | General member |
| Slimene Sedrette | Tunisia | General member |
| Jamal Mimouni | Algeria | General member |
| Abdelmajid Benhida | Morocco | General member |
| Boitumelo Gaolape | Botswana | General member |
| Thandile Vuntu | South Africa | General member |
| Nicholas Chisala Kasoma | Zambia | General member |
| Toivo Samuel Mabote | South Africa / Mozambique | General member |
| Simphiwe Madlanga | South Africa | General member |
| Adaeze Ibik | Canada / Nigeria | General member |
| Albert Forson | Mauritius / Ghana | General member |
| Miracle Chibuzor | Marcel Nigeria | General member |
| Olayinka Fagbemiro | Nigeria | General member |
| Mike Simmons | United States | General member |
| Niruj Mohan Ramanujam | India | General member |
| Sally Macfarlane | South Africa | Advisor |
| Duduzile Kubheka | South Africa | Advisor |