Zimbabwean singer
Musical artist
Prudence Mabhena is a Zimbabwean singer. Prudence Mabhena was born with Arthrogryposis, and was severely disabled. The society she was born into considers disabilities to carry the taint of witchcraft.[1] Because of this, she was abandoned by her family. As a result, she was raised by her maternal grandmother who sang to her while working on her farm. She later attended King George VI School for the disabled in Bulawayo.[2][3]
Musical career
While at school she discovered a love for music and performing, and founded the band Liyana with seven other disabled students and was made up of:
The band tried to overcome stereotypes and inspire the same people that once saw them as a curse. Her story was later turned into the film Music by Prudence, which went on to win the Academy Award for Best Documentary (Short Subject) at the 82nd Academy Awards.[4]
Music by Prudence also won:
- the Audience Award for Best Documentary Short at the Florida Film Festival
- Best Short at the Africa World Documentary Film Festival
- Best Short at the DocuWest Film Festival.
Awards
Apart from music awards, she also received the 2018 Henry Viscardi Achievement Awards given to leaders in disability sector.[5]
References