MUSIC producer and composer Clive “Mono” Mukundu, has challenged 87 teachers and artistes who recently graduated with certificates and diplomas in visual performing arts (VPA) to utilise the knowledge they acquired to create employment.
Mukundu was the guest of honour at the Music Consultancy Society of Zimbabwe (MCSZ) Music Academy fifth graduation ceremony held in Harare on Friday last week.
The session musician, a graduate of the Midlands State University, revealed that MCSZ graduation theme, Championing Innovation Industrialisation Community Service and Research in the Teaching and Learning of VPA, was a good driver for music and VPA teachers to teach music instruments through set pieces from African and Zimbabwean cultural and contemporary heritages of their chosen musical instruments or art discipline.
“I urge teachers to enterprise through the knowledge which they have just acquired and make business out of it. I was at one time invited for a four-month sabbatical to teach African guitar and music traditions of Zimbabwe at the University of Michigan. They asked for institutions where they could drop their students for learning the Zimbabwean African guitar unfortunately I could not identify and point at one,” Mukundu said.
Despite being internationally recognised as a top session musician, Mukundu prefers to mention his continuing education as a vital tool in his career.
“My education opened doors for me and enabled me to utilise it in a much more profitable and life-changing way for myself. I now find myself acceptable in many places where they do not need my guitar riffs,” he said.
MCSZ board chairperson Cuthbert Jingura said their institution had, from the first to fifth graduation, gained several milestones in becoming resilient in music education with a 21st century approach to music performance that unified humanity, dance, organology studies that appeal to people, VPA teaching and workshops, quiz for Grade 7 learners and Heritage-based curricula adherence.
“Our thrust is to groom and promote dynamic and saleable skills in music and arts investments and realise success to see and cherish that these are the product of our strategic commitment to duty,” he said.
“Our infrastructure has awakened a new trajectory and developmental imprint that is vividly engraved on our walls. We remain resolute and steadfast on the art of making instruments, renovations and innovations.”
MCSZ director Asiel Tavonga Chipadza said their courses were founded on Education 5.0, which focused on five pillars, namely research, teaching community service, innovation and industrialisation as espoused by the Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology ministry.
MCSZ’s fifth graduation ceremony saw Kudakwashe Mavengedze walking away with the Best marimba and piano awards as the overall best student.
Sithabile Musindo was the Best in Voice, Kudzi Nguwani (mbira), Panashe Jazel (guitar), Patience Mareka (visual arts) and Getrude Chidzedzedze was awarded for being the most dedicated student.
“My involvement at the MCSZ as a student was a great experience and learning time. It was time to work hard and learn several theoretical and practical concepts. We hope to do well in our career endeavours through the qualifications we got today,” Mavengedze said.
Musicians Joseph Garakara, Tryson Chimbetu, Sample Chigumbu and poet and author Aaron Chiundura Moyo were part of the dignitaries, where solo guitarist Blessing Maramba, aka Wekwa Maramba, was awarded an honorary certificate in VPA.
Maramba expressed happiness for receiving the qualification and said it would open more doors for him.
Creatives Hwamanda Dance Troupe, Maramba, Mambo Guramatunhu, Sekuru Soro and MCSZ Music Academy distinction students showcased the very best of their musical abilities at the graduation ceremony.
