The Project

After a trip to Timbuktu in December 2001 and a second research trip in 2003, Sharron Hawkes, editor of a number of award winning documentaries, was inspired to produce a documentary film on the manuscripts archives found in this fascinating city. In her quest to illustrate the manuscript importance and add motivation for their continued preservation she initiated a separate research project into their astronomy contents. This project is headed by Dr Thebe Medupe, funded by the South African Government Department of Science and Technology, managed by the University of Cape Town and run in conjunction with the University of Bamako, Mali.

To date a number of dedicated people from Africa and beyond have collaborated on The Ancient Astronomers of Timbuktu.  (See links)
Dogged Films/Kwezi Media Projects worked in conjunction with Anne Rogers fundraising for The Ancient Astronomers of Timbuktu documentary film. The project is immensely grateful for funding support to the Ford Foundation, The Oppenheimer Memorial Trust and the Centre for Development and the Environment (SUM), University of Oslo financed by the Norwegian Agency for Development Co-operation (NORAD).

Kwezi Media Projects (Section 21), a non-profit company, was formed comprising of a group of people either working on the film project itself, willing to be intricately involved in fund-raising or with a solid background and interest in education to work in collaboration with Dogged Films to take the film project to its ultimate goal.

After marketing The Ancient Astronomers of Timbuktu DVD, which includes extras, future plans include producing short educational films directed at young learners and designed to encourage study in the fields of mathematics, science and African history.
In collaboration with education specialists and with rural schools gaining access to digital technology, study guide material for teachers and learners would be included.
Secondary plans include 'in depth' films for tertiary students and a planetarium show. All material would be available on a Creative Commons license.

Kwezi Media Projects
Sharron Hawkes - Documentary producer
Thamsanqa Sibiya - Management Consultant
Dr Rodney Thebe Medupe - Astrophysicist
Anne Rogers - Executive producer/consultant/ researcher
Dr Sue Cohen - Curriculum co-ordinator - Oprah Winfrey School for Girls
Dr Sebiletso Mokone-Matabane - CEO Sentech
Sara Hallatt - TV Production Manager