Iziko Museums and Amazon Launch High-Tech Mobile Planetarium for Rural Outreach

For media images and interview requests, please contact: Zikhona Jafta at mediaofficer@iziko.org.za Cape Town, South Africa – Iziko Museums of South Africa, with support from Amazon, is excited to announce the launch of the Iziko Mobile Planetarium. This innovative collaboration introduces a state-of-the-art travelling educational facility aimed at delivering the wonders of space science and digital technology to underserved and remote communities across South Africa. Iziko Museums has recently acquired an advanced inflatable planetarium dome, and support from Amazon helps bring the project to fruition. Backed by a generous donation of over R1,300,000.00 from Amazon, the funding is providing a specialised vehicle to transport the dome, introducing a fleet of 10 desk-mounted Virtual Reality (VR) systems and supporting the development of new localised educational resources. The Iziko Mobile Planetarium acts as an immersive gateway to the stars, offering primary and secondary school learners in remote areas an unforgettable glimpse into our universe. Inside the inflatable dome, students will enjoy spectacular 360-degree digital storytelling, while the 10 high-tech VR headsets will allow them to interactively explore night skies and natural ecosystems in an engaging manner. This mobile unit will travel directly to schools and libraries in rural and farming towns in various parts of the country. The programme will also emphasise African indigenous astronomy, honouring the continent’s rich cultural heritage, and will be led by Iziko Museums’ dedicated outreach team and science educator. All shows, films, and hands-on activities are aligned with school subjects to enhance science literacy and inspire a lifelong passion for STEM careers. “Our mission has always been to make heritage and science accessible to all,” said the Acting CEO of Iziko Museums, Dr Bongani Ndhlovu. “Partnering with Amazon enables us to overcome physical barriers. We are not just waiting for the public to visit the museum; we are bringing the universe directly to their doorsteps.” For Amazon, the support extends a presence in South Africa that now spans more than two decades—and is part of a broader commitment that includes Amazon Leo, the company’s low Earth orbit satellite network designed to provide fast, reliable internet to customers and communities beyond the reach of existing networks. “We are building Amazon Leo to connect communities that have been left behind by traditional infrastructure. But connectivity alone isn’t enough – what matters is what people can do with it. Supporting Iziko Museums to bring space science to young learners in rural South Africa is the kind of impact we want to have. These are the communities we’re building this network for, and we want to make sure that when connectivity arrives, curiosity is already there,” said David Zapolsky, Amazon’s Chief Global Affairs and Legal Officer. Starting with initial pilot testing, this programme is poised to launch an inspiring community outreach tour, expanding each year to connect with thousands of eager young learners across the nation. We encourage schools, libraries and community organisations to stay engaged with our upcoming schedule.