Women in Africa…
often experience difficulties in accessing music education. The societies frown upon women choosing music as a viable career, often leading to higher drop rates. Women have more social responsibilities and are not able to commit fully, resulting in a strong misconception about women in the music business (they are often perceived as either lacking moral values, are seen as rebels or sex objects) and therefore only a few of them receive professional training.
In order to help promote gender equality and to empower female musicians, MCA Zimbabwe launched a three months’ skill enhancement program, with the support from the German Embassy.
The packed program will feature varied topics like: The History of female musicians, Self awareness, Confidence building, Gender Mainstreaming, Cultural entrepreneurship, Branding and Marketing among others.
The academy also aims to focus on improving the participants’ performance skills so every training session has an hour of intensive rehearsals and practical-music skill coaching, with the renowned quartet of Prudence “PKM” Katomeni-Mbofana. These rehearsals will culminate in a performance at the 2nd edition of the Fusion Africa Festival, another brainchild of the MCAZ.
The actual sessions began on the 1st of September with an attendance of 15 female musicians. Amongst them are Pah Chihera, Pamela “Miss Unique” Dzvinamurungu, Pauline Gundidza, Fungai Chinogaramombe, Nancy Mutize, Blessed Priviledge of Lelo’Langa, Memory Zikhali of Umoja and Indoni Zomculo just to mention a few.
This is a great initiative and a big step towards the women empowerment in the Zimbabwean music scene.
