Meet Africa’s ‘Superscientists’
THEY might not be able to read minds, fly or lift cars, but 48 African scientists have been immortalised as Superscientists to inspire the next generation of scientists.
Justin Yarrow, founder of CodeMakers, a science education NGO based in Durban, has transformed 48 scientists across Africa into superheroes.
The idea of a Superscientists project came to Yarrow in 2019 while he was in Chesterville teaching coding to children. The dream of a trading card collection has recently become a reality.
Yarrow said the goal was to bring the sciences to young people.
“If you ask a kid to name a scientist it’s difficult because they just don’t know one except for someone like Einstein, but Africa has world-class scientists that can inspire kids,” he said.
He said there was a perception that scientists were brainiacs and to become one was an arduous journey.
“Seeing is believing. Regardless of differentiators like race, gender, age, orientation or religion, we are trying to represent the youth so they can see people like them and follow in their footsteps. They can see that even if they fail or stumble along the road, so did these heroes,” he said.
Astrophysics, geology, marine biology, virology and anthropology are a few of the fields that the SuperScientists represent.
Silindokuhle Mavuso, a paleoanthropologist from Newcastle, in northern Kwazulu-natal, said Yarrow emailed him to tell him he had been nominated.
“I am a Marvel fan, so to become a hero felt surreal. We were given a
brief but the aesthetic, colour theme and the whole hero could be created by us. It would go through drafts to perfect it,” he said.
Mavuso said the sciences were infamously lacking representation and the importance of being a face children could relate to was not lost on him.
“As a kid, I grew up in amazing landscapes in Newcastle and had an innate curiosity that was nurtured by my father, but I didn’t know there was a science to it all. We are African scientists telling African stories for future generations,” he said.
Archaeologist and biological anthropologist Keneiloe Molopyane was contacted via social media because Yarrow enjoyed the science content she created and curated, mostly around exploration and work in the Cradle of Humankind.
“My character, Bones, was modelled
to be very similar to what I wear when excavating fossil remains in caves, and the trowel emblem on her chest is representative of archaeology.”
Geologist Tebogo Makhubela was introduced to Superscientists by Molopyane.
“I didn’t hesitate to participate and I saw it as an opportunity to expose my work to young kids. There are not many geologists doing the palaeoscience research I do and I’m one of the very few of colour.”
Kimberleigh Tommy, a biological anthropologist, worked with Yarrow in 2018 and was approached earlier this year about becoming a superhero.
“I’m a strong believer in representation and the importance of being able to see yourself reflected in all spaces.
“I think children are born scientists, they are curious about the world, they explore and experiment. Superheroes
are mentors and inspirations, why shouldn’t they be people who look like them?
“This initiative is not only for them, but for parents and families to see there are possibilities and career choices beyond what we were all exposed to in our youth.”
Curtis Bonhomme and Clyde Beech were among the illustrators who brought the superheroes to life. Beech was one of the lead artists at Strika Entertainment and worked on Supa Strikas. He also helped to develop the Kwezi comic book series – the country’s first comic with a black superhero.
Bonhomme is a character designer based in Durban who was approached by Yarrow as he posted his work on social media.
“I was fascinated and impressed that someone was passionate to reach kids and inspire them in a creative, fun
and interactive way. I feel Superscientists shapes their minds and ingrains in them that you can achieve anything. All kids love superheroes and portraying our scientists in this light is the perfect way to connect with them.”
Mandy Lomberg, of Hero-in-myhood, said Yarrow approached them to create the Superscientists activity book.
“We are a social enterprise and produce children’s story activity books. When Justin approached us we realised that what he wanted and what we do was a perfect fit. It was exciting and challenging to come up with new fun ideas and activities for the book, and I think that a lovely product was ultimately produced.”
The cards and activity book can be ordered on the Superscientists website. Free downloads of posters of the superheroes are also available.