Africa University and the Zimbabwe College of Music graduate 14th Cohort from Ethnomusicology and Jazz programmes
19 August 2022
Africa University and the institution’s arts partner the Zimbabwe College of Music (ZMC), successfully graduated the 14th cohort of the Bachelor of Music Ethnomusicology and the Bachelor of Music in Jazz in Harare at a ceremony held at the ZMC Courthold Theatre. Presiding over the ceremony were Vice Chancellor Reverend Peter Mageto, Director of the ZMC Dr. R.C. Chingwanda , Honourable Deputy Minister of Higher Education Innovation, Science and Technology Development Honourable Raymore Machingura (representing the Honourable Minister Professor dr. Amon Murwira) and the Guest of Honour, Deputy Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, Honourable Tino Machakaire.
The long – standing partnership that sees ZMC offering undergraduate degrees through Africa University has produced stellar artists who shine in the arts industry of Zimbabwe as music producers, academics, composers and entertainers.
Vice Chancellor Reverend Professor Peter Mageto applauded the diligence and stewardship of the partnership by the ZMC and AU’s College of Social Sciences, Theology, Humanities and Education (CSSTHE) emphasizing the importance of maintaining the high standards, academic rigour and impact of the respective programmes and their overall impact in the national arts industry. Prof. Mageto went on to congratulate the graduating class of 2022 encouraging that they channel their talents and skills toward the nations’ development.
Based on our student-centered approach, we have successfully dared to challenge individuality and promote partnership and collaboration. As you celebrate your graduation today, keep in mind that the music industry will respect you for more than just having a degree; it will honor you for bringing a fresh sound of innovation, creativity, originality, and the development of the industrialized sector that will significantly support the vision 2030 for a better Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe College of Music Director Dr. R.C. Chingwanda shared her appreciation and thanks to Africa University and its leadership for the continued association between the two partners urging the graduating class to bravely go out into a world that is hungry for their ideas, dynamic minds and creativity inspired by the African experience.
Guest of Honor Deputy Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, Honorable Tino Machakaire in his remarks brought home the importance of the arts sector to the identity of Zimbabwe and its people and the positive moves that the Government of Zimbabwe has made towards its propagation and lasting legacy for generations to come.
This graduation ceremony comes at the backdrop of major strides made in the creative and cultural industries of Zimbabwe. As a ministry charged with ensuring that there are cultural and creative activities in the nation, we have developed the National Arts, Culture and Heritage Policy which is a multi- pronged policy whose objectives seek to promote and provide infrastructure for all cultural and artistic forms including musical expression and performance. Let us continue preserving and safe guarding our own music because it abounds with our history, African philosophy and teachings.
Honorable Deputy Minister Machakaire also went on to describe the importance of African Music in the awakening of black consciousness, the struggle for liberation across the continent and the need for continued empowerment and emancipation. The Honorable Deputy Minister spoke to the importance of partnerships such as that held between the ZMC and AU saying,
Your synergy ably demonstrates that you are specialized institutions that identify, train, nurture, produce and expose creative talent for the nation and the world to benefit.
Those in attendance were entertained by the ZMC band that played a wide range of popular African celebratory music demonstrating their excellence in the craft and enthusiasm for what they do. Both undergraduate programmes offered by the ZMC and AU have developed high calibre graduates who are transforming their respective sectors. The class of 2022 joins the over 11 000 continent-wide graduates of Africa University who from part of the bold legacy that the institution has built in the last 30 years of its existence, transforming, impacting and enriching lives in Africa.
