A bold move

Dr Fahim Chand | Tuesday September 3, 2024 09:02

From the vast plains where we once hunted woolly mammoths and saber-toothed tigers with primitive tools, to the boundless reaches of space explored by sophisticated spacecraft, our relentless quest for discovery continues.

In a dimly lit Parisian workshop, Auguste and Louis Lumière harnessed this spirit of innovation. The French brothers invented the “cinématographe,” a remarkable device that combined a camera, film developer, and projector, breathing life into still images. In 1895, their groundbreaking film, “Workers Leaving the Lumière Factory,” captured simple yet profound moments, mesmerizing audiences.

The Lumières’ invention revolutionised storytelling, forever changing the world of visual entertainment and laying the foundation for modern cinema. The sun cast a golden hue across the desert sands, while a warm breeze gently lifted my son Ayaan’s cotton headscarf. The horizon shimmered beneath a cloudless blue sky, its stillness occasionally broken by the soft murmurs of our group, floating through the morning air. I glanced across the endless stretch of desert and spotted a series of shallow dunes in the distance.

To my surprise, wooden doors emerged from the sands, marking an entrance to something hidden beneath. Turning my gaze forward, I saw three architectural wonders reaching for the heavens, one towering above the rest. The scene, a stunning blend of blues and golds, felt as if it had been painted by Van Gogh or Monet. In this stark, two-toned landscape, an awe-inspiring beauty unfolded, simple yet profound.

The pyramids of Giza welcomed us as we prepared to journey closer to one of the wonders of our magnificent planet. My heart raced as I climbed onto the waiting horse, my hands gripping the reins with a mix of excitement and apprehension. If my memory serves me right, this was only my second time riding.

The first was as a little boy on a farm in Selebi-Phikwe, a hazy recollection of being hoisted onto a pony. Now, as I sat atop this living, breathing creature, I felt a nervous energy coursing through me. I’ve always preferred machines to animals—a car’s comforting hum, a twist of the key, the engine roaring to life. This, however, was different: unpredictable and thrilling, an encounter with nature itself.

As we set off toward the pyramids, my mind spun wild tales of a runaway horse, galloping uncontrollably with me clinging on for dear life, my only defense a series of panicked screams. But fortune smiled on me; the horse moved with a surprising grace and calm, and to my surprise, I found myself enjoying the ride.

As we approached, the Great Pyramid, the largest of the three, towered majestically above us. Built for Khufu, the second king of the 4th dynasty, it was mesmerizing in its sheer scale. Composed of 2.3 million large blocks weighing a staggering six million tonnes, this ancient wonder of the world defies comprehension.

Constructed long before the advent of engines and modern physics, it once again stands as a testament to humanity’s boundless capacity for innovation and the marvels of ancient engineering. Our knowledgeable guide entertained us with the rich history of the scene before us, finally unraveling the mystery of the wooden doors guarding the sand dunes. These marked the entrances to the tombs of those who had constructed the pyramids.

As we prepared for our return, I felt like a character in *Star Wars*, embarking on a galactic quest on the desert planet Tatooine. George Lucas’ 1977 space opera, building on the cinematic foundations laid by the Lumière brothers, elevated moviemaking to unprecedented heights. Snapped back to reality, I climbed aboard a camel for the journey back. This new mode of transport, though more exotic than the horse, proved far less comfortable; its swaying gait jarring and graceless.

While ancient African travel lacked shock absorbers, it led me to ponder: How is modern Africa embracing technological innovation? In a bold move, Ethiopia recently became the first nation in the world to ban petrol-powered passenger vehicles, pushing electric vehicles to 10% of its market. Meanwhile, in Kenya, electric vehicles are gaining momentum, with Uber introducing a fleet of vibrant yellow electric motorbikes, or boda bodas. As our unyielding drive for innovation continues to reshape our world, it’s invigorating to see Africa forging ahead, balancing progress with a commitment to a healthier planet.