Bringing the universe closer to Namibian learners

In a country as vast as Namibia, reaching every corner can feel like travelling across galaxies, but that hasn’t stopped the mobile planetarium team from bringing the universe to young learners nationwide.Led by coordinator Zandre Duvenhage, the project has toured all 14 regions of Namibia, giving more than 30 000 learners a front-row seat to the stars.Zandre admits the journey hasn’t been easy. “Distances are really a challenge,” he says. “Even with more funding, some areas are just harder to reach.” Thanks to support from partners such as Nedbank, the Bank of Namibia, Fly Namibia and Gondwana Collection, the team has been able to defy those limits. “Everything truly worked out perfectly ,” Zandre adds.Nedbank’s three-year funding not only fuels the tours but also supports the student presenters who inspire the next generation - a double investment in Namibia’s future.For Zandre, the planetarium’s purpose goes beyond science. “It’s about curiosity,” he says. “When learners see how small they are in the vastness of the universe, it sparks humility and wonder. If we can get more Namibians to ask questions and become lifelong learners, many societal problems could be solved.”One of those inspired presenters is Vikapita Ilonga, who joined the team in 2023. “Presenting allows me to constantly learn,” she says. “We’re not just teaching, we’re igniting future members of the space industry.”Her dream? “To become an astronaut. The planetarium and NOVA training showed me that there’s a place for me in the space field.”The impact is visible. Learners like Julian von Somnitz describe the experience as “stepping under the dark Namibian night sky” and discovering the “incredible vastness of space.” For him, it reignited a passion for astrophysics and a sense of awe for humanity’s place in the cosmos.The team’s aim now is expanding their reach even further, perhaps even adding a second dome.As Zandre puts it: “We can only hope that among those 30 000 learners, the next great Namibian scientist or innovator has already been inspired.”Because when curiosity meets opportunity, the sky is no longer the limit.

Bringing the universe closer to Namibian learners

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Republikein 2026-01-30

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Bringing the universe closer to Namibian learners

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