MANDLA `AFRONAUT` MASEKO

NAME
MANDLA ‘AFRONAUT’ MASEKO
ASTRONAUT PROGRAM
NATIONALITY
FUTURE ASTRONAUT
SOUTH AFRICAN
OCCUPATION
DATE OF BIRTH
DJ/ PILOT
28 AUGUST 1988
PROFILE
I am expected to be the 1st black South African to launch into space as part of
XCOR’s Future Astronaut Program. I was unemployed for 2 years when I won the Axe
Apollo Space Academy Competition and knew this was a great opportunity for me to
inspire Africa’s youth. I have since obtained my private pilot license, and I currently
am a candidate Officer with the South African Air Force College.
I always knew I wanted to do something big, something that will allow me to make a
difference. Drugs and high unemployment among the youth in Africa inspired me to
launch the #SkyIsNotTheLimit campaign. It is a program aimed at inspiring the youth.
With my humble beginnings I believe that with hard work and determination,
regardless of your background, nothing can stop you from reaching the top.
QUOTE
“I DON’T STOP WHEN I’M TIRED, I ONLY STOP WHEN I’M DONE ”
- MARILYN MONROE
MANDLA MASEKO
WEBSITE
XCOR SPACE EXPDITIONS
WWW.MANDLAMASEKO.CO.ZA
ASTRONAUT EXPERIENCE:
A E R O B AT IC
T R A IN E R
MY GUILTY PLEASURE: Cartoon Network
FEAR IS: An illusion created in your mind to scare you of what might lay ahead
EVERY ASTRONAUT NEEDS: The right mindset, vision and a healthy lifestyle.
WHAT’S MOST PEOPLE DONT KNOW ABOUT YOU: I’m very impatient. Time is
extremely important to me and therefore things need to be done at the right time, first time!
ON MY BUCKET LIST: Have a space walk, meet Barack Obama, experience Madison Square
garden in NYC, visit the Eiffel Tower and visit the Maldives
WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS AND POVERTY IN THE WORLD, WHY
DO YOU FEEL IT’S IMPORTANT TO INVEST ON SPACE TRAVEL?: I think its time
we engage technology to address the world’s social ills like poverty. I hope to use my journey to
space to highlight Africa’s social needs.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU?: My parents and my siblings. I am also motivated by the fact that
we have young African children that are doing bad things not because they want to but because of
poverty. That is not a goodthing at all. I know people that could have become meaningful but due
to the system we live in they took the wrong turns. This is why I am motivated to change youth’s
mindset to drop the guns and drugs and start picking up pens.
MANDLA MASEKO
XCOR SPACE EXPDITIONS