Sub-Orbital Trip winner, Mandla Maseko, Dies Before Historical Trip To Space. The trip that he was supposed to go to was going to be an hour-long trip on the Lynx Marx II.
Mandla Maseko, the man who won a sub-orbital trip that could have seen him as the first black African in space has been killed in a motorcycle accident. The news were revealed yesterday. Sthembile Shabangu, a family spokesperson, released a media statement to let people know how the family feels about the tragic moment.
“It is with deep sad sadness that the Maseko family confirms that Mandla Maseko tragically passed away in a bike accident …July 6 2019,” says the family spokesperson. Mandla Maseko was part of the 23 people who received a chance to get a trip to space, courtesy of the Axe Apollo Space Academy. He is a 30-year-old man that was raised in Soshanguve in Pretoria, he was also an officer for the South African National Defence Force.
The trip that he was supposed to go to was going to be an hour-long trip on the Lynx Marx II. However, the man’s passing away messed up his opportunity of being the first black African on the moon. In an interview with BBC, he said that he wanted to do something that would inspire the young people of Africa or the young people around the world with his sub-orbital trip.
He said he wanted to show the young people that “It doesn’t matter what background you come from, you can have whatever you want as long as you put hard work and determination into it.” A lot of people expressed how they felt about this tragic incident. One tweep says, “I’m saddened to read of the passing of Mandla Maseko who was supposed to be the first black African in space…Condolences to the family and friends.” The host of the Expresso show, Katlego Maboe, says “Heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Mandla Maseko! Having had the honour of meeting him I can’t imagine the sense of loss they must feel. May they find comfort in the legacy and inspiration he left behind.”
by Alexandra Ramaite
