By Staff Reporter
Harare— Over 200 students graduated yesterday at the Music Consultancy Society (MCS) Harare campus in various arts education programmes aimed at empowering educators and promoting cultural preservation through the arts.
The graduates received qualifications ranging from certificates in Choral Percussion and Adjudication to diplomas and advanced diplomas in Visual and Performance Arts, Music, and Dance.
Notably, around 90% of those capped were teachers who enrolled to enhance their capacity to deliver the new curriculum in schools and to keep Zimbabwean culture alive through creative education.
One of the graduates, Johanes Masvaya, said he joined the programme after realising a gap in his ability to support students in the Visual and Performance Arts subject.
“At my school, students would score straight As in other subjects but fail the Visual Arts subject. I felt compelled to equip myself to confidently teach the subject and support my learners better,” he said.
Another student, Vivi Goldback, also studying for a teaching diploma at Seke Teachers College, said the course complemented her current studies.
“This course aligns with what I’m already doing, and I’ve noticed I understand more concepts than my peers at college,” she said.
Veteran music producer and guest of honour, Mono Mukundu, praised the graduates for investing in their craft.
“It’s always inspiring to see artists take the time to study music formally. It gives them a deeper appreciation of the history and culture behind the art. Education like this is essential for preserving our cultural identity,” he said.
Mukundu also highlighted the economic potential of music, saying many still underestimate its value.
“I’ve travelled to over 30 countries in my career without ever paying for a ticket. Yet in Zimbabwe, we lack professionals like certified sound engineers—roles that are crucial in the global music scene,” he added.
MCS Founding Director, Dr Assiel Tavonga Chipadza, echoed the importance of cultural preservation, especially through education.
“We are proud of these graduates. Many are teachers who will now take this knowledge into classrooms and inspire the next generation. With the rise of borrowed cultures, we need trained custodians of our own traditions,” Dr Chipadza said.
Beyond education, the Music Consultancy Society also manufactures and repairs musical instruments and offers online music lessons, contributing to the broader development of Zimbabwe’s arts industry.
