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POVOAfrika Trust has launched the Musicable project, an empowerment programme that is aimed at supporting people with disabilities in the music industry in recording their work and accessing markets.
In a statement, Rudo Chakanyuka, the Musicable Project liaison officer said the project will focus on women with disabilities in the music industry.
“Driven by the Music In Africa Foundation (MIAF) and Goethe-Institut support, Musicable will capacitate artistes with disabilities by facilitating access to home recording tools. The project will also empower artistes by linking them to mainstream markets through mentorship programmes with established artists.
“The mentorship programme will culminate in a collaborative song between the mentor and mentee,” Chakanyuka said.
Musicians Raven Duchess, Pauline Gundidza and Vuyo Brown as well as Jacqueline Mpofu, Chipo Muchegwa and Sithandazile Gumbo have been given the task of mentoring female artistes with disabilities.
“Musicable will run in Harare, Bulawayo and Mutare between 19 June and 15 September 2023. It is part of POVOAfrika Trust’s increased support to communities that are often excluded from significant opportunities across Zimbabwe,” Chakanyuka said.
According to the United Nations, Persons with Disabilities include those with long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.
As part of the project, Musicable plans to produce a documentary on the journey shared by the mentor and mentee.
“The short film will highlight the challenges faced by artistes with disabilities and how they work to overcome them.
“The documentary will be complemented by capacity-building workshops that will bring together artistes with disabilities, industry professionals and leaders within the arts and cultural sectors.
“The workshops will go beyond documenting the challenges to providing practical solutions for the artistes.”
Soneni Gwizi, a woman with a disability who is a well-known disability advocate and award-winning communicator is the project’s advisor and will be facilitating the workshops.
POVOAfrika Trust is a non-profit and apolitical voluntary organisation focusing on social development through arts and cultural projects.
Musicable is not the trust’s first involvement in music-aligned projects. In 2014 and 2015, they released SpeakSing Volume 1 and 2 compilation CDs which featured spoken word and songs from up-and-coming artistes in partnership with HIVOS.
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