Musicable Project Launched to Promote Disability Inclusion in Music Industry
POVOAfrika Trust, a non-profit organization dedicated to social development through arts and cultural projects, has recently announced the launch of the “Musicable” project.
This innovative empowerment program aims to support People With Disabilities (PWDs) in the music industry by assisting them in recording their work and accessing mainstream markets.
Initially, the project will focus on empowering women with disabilities within the music industry.
Thanks to the generous support from the Music In Africa Foundation (MIAF) and Goethe-Institut, Musicable will provide artists with disabilities access to home recording tools.
Additionally, the project will establish mentorship programs with established artists, enabling PWDs to connect with mainstream markets.
The culmination of these mentorship programs will result in a collaborative song between the mentor and mentee.
Renowned artists Raven Duchess, Pauline Gundidza, and Vuyo Brown have taken on the role of mentors for women artists with disabilities.
They will guide Jacqueline Mpofu, Chipo Muchegwa, and Sithandazile Gumbo, respectively.
Musicable will be implemented in Harare, Bulawayo, and Mutare between June 19 and September 15, 2023.
This initiative represents POVOAfrika Trust’s commitment to providing support to communities often excluded from significant opportunities across Zimbabwe.
The United Nations defines Persons with Disabilities as individuals with long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments, which, when combined with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.
Musicable aims to address these barriers by creating opportunities and raising awareness about the challenges faced by artists with disabilities.
As part of the project, Musicable will produce a documentary that follows the journey of the mentor and mentee.
This short film will shed light on the obstacles encountered by artists with disabilities and the strategies they employ to overcome them.
In addition, capacity-building workshops will be conducted, bringing together artists with disabilities, industry professionals, and leaders in the arts and cultural sectors.
These workshops will not only document the challenges but also provide practical solutions for the participating artists.
Leading the workshops is Soneni Gwizi, a well-known Disability Advocate, and award-winning communicator.
Her expertise and experience will be instrumental in facilitating meaningful discussions and equipping artists with disabilities with valuable skills and knowledge.
Musicable builds upon POVOAfrika Trust’s previous involvement in music-related projects.
In collaboration with HIVOS, the organization released SpeakSing Volume 1 and 2 compilation CDs in 2014 and 2015, featuring spoken word and songs from emerging artists.
POVOAfrika Trust has also partnered with the Music in Africa Foundation on #16WomenVoices as part of MIAF’s Music in Africa Live initiative in 2021.
This initiative showcased live performances by female musicians addressing important themes such as ending violence against women and celebrating women’s rights.
Additionally, in the same year, POVOAfrika Trust published “Sokunge” (As if), a literary work featuring works and articles by Masimba Hwati.
In 2022, the organization produced “Nehanda Reimagined,” a project dedicated to bringing Mbuya Nehanda, one of Zimbabwe’s influential female protagonists, back into the collective memory of the nation.
This project encompassed a wide range of artistic expressions, including essays, short stories, poetry, academic articles, drawings, paintings, prints, and photographs.
Drawing from the success and lessons learned from these past projects, POVOAfrika Trust is now embarking on the Musicable project, furthering their mission to foster inclusivity and empowerment through arts and cultural initiatives.
As a non-profit and apolitical voluntary organization, POVOAfrika Trust is committed to social development, sustainability, and addressing the impact of climate change on the environment.
The organization collaborates with various technical development partners from the government, civil society, and the corporate sector to fulfill their objectives.
Musicable Project Launched to Promote Disability Inclusion in Music Industry
