Prudence Mabhena
Zimbabwean singer
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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]
Prudence Mabhena | |
|---|---|
| Born | 23 February 1986 |
| Genres | Afro-Fusion |
| Occupation | Singer |
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 (has arthrogryposis)
- Tapiwa Nyengera – back-up singer, keyboard, front man (has spina bifida)
- Energy Maburutse – first marimba player, back-up vocalist (has 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 (has 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]