Tinaye Agere
Society Reporters
MUSICIANS living with disabilities received a shot in the arm following the launch of an empowerment project by POVOAfrika Trust, a local non-governmental organisation that focuses on social development through arts and cultural projects.
Dubbed the “Musicable Project”, the programme will help musicians living with disabilities record and market their music.
Rudo Chakanyuka, the project liaison officer, said: “The project will capacitate artistes with disabilities by providing them with home recording tools. Furthermore, it will also empower artistes by giving them access to mainstream markets through mentorship programmes.”
The mentorship programme will also culminate in a collaborative song between the mentor and the mentee.
A documentary focusing on the journey the mentor and mentee shared will also be produced, as well as a spotlight on challenges faced by artistes with disabilities and how they work to overcome them.
Capacity-building workshops that will bring together artistes with disabilities, industry professionals and leaders in the arts and cultural sectors will also be conducted.
The programme has been running in Harare, Bulawayo and Mutare from June 19 and is expected to end on September 15.
Jazz artiste Raven Duchess and songbird Pauline Gundidza will mentor Jacqueline Mpofu and Chipo Muchegwa.
Gospel artiste Vuyo Brown will mentor Sithandazile Gumbo.
“Musicable Project” is not POVOAfrika Trust’s first involvement in the arts.
In 2014 and 2015, it released compilation CDs “SpeakSing” Volume 1 and 2.
Two years back, the trust partnered Music in Africa Foundation on #16WomenVoices as part of the Music in Africa Live initiative.
The project consisted of live performances by female musicians tackling themes ranging from ending violence against women to celebrating women’s rights.
“Sokunge” (As if), a literary work documenting the works and articles by Masimba Hwati, was also produced by the trust.
In 2022, “Nehanda Reimagined”, a project that sought to write Mbuya Nehanda back into the Zimbabwean memory, was released.
The project was made up of a collection of essays, short stories, poetry, academic articles, drawings, paintings, prints, photographs and other depictions of one of Zimbabwe’s most influential female leaders.
Online Reporter