Prudence Mabhena

Prudence Mabhena
Born	(1986-02-23) 23 February 1986 (age 38) Zimbabwe
Genres	Afro-Fusion
Occupation	Singer

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:

• Prudence Mabhena – singer and composer (suffers from arthrogryposis)
• Tapiwa Nyengera – back-up singer, keyboard, front man (has spina bifida)
• Energy Maburutse – first marimba player, back-up vocalist (suffers from osteogenesis imperfecta, brittle bone syndrome)
• Honest Mupatse – tenor marimba player (has hemophilia)
• Marvelous Mbulo – back-up singer (has muscular dystrophy)
• Vusani Vuma – bass marimba player (is hearing-impaired)
• Goodwell Nzou – traditional drums and percussion, back-up singer (leg amputated)
• Farai Mabhande – lead keyboardist (suffers from arthrogryposis)

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

1. "Oscar nomination for 'Music by Prudence' about disabled Zimbabwean singer Prudence Mabhena". San Francisco BayView. 5 March 2010. Retrieved 21 March 2010.
2. "Prudence Mabhena: Out Of Struggle, A Soaring Voice". NPR. May 11, 2010.
3. Mazara, Garikai. "The Oscar that Prudence Mabhena never won".
4. "Oscar-winning Prudence Mabhena appointed ambassador for SA's Casual Day".
5. "2018 Henry Viscardi Achievement Awards Announced". Archived from the original on 2022-03-25. Retrieved 2018-12-25.