Facts:

Formed in 2005

Their music is termed Afro-fusion being a mix of traditional and western instruments

Compose their own songs and sing fluently in 3 languages

All 8 musicians have some form of disability with 5 of them using wheelchairs, the drummer is deaf

Successes:

• Won the international Music Crossroads competition in Zimbabwe in 2006
• At the regional finals in Mozambique they won  the prize of a music tour of 3 European countries
• Successful 6 week tour of Sweden, Netherlands and Belgium
• Release of their 1^st cd –
• In 2009 they were given private sponsorship of a music tour in the USA.  They played for schools, universities and the general public.
• Guest musicians for the John Lennon music outreach programme in California
• Release of their 2^nd cd – Sugar Rhythms
• They were the stars in an HBO documentary entitled, Music by Prudence
• Music by Prudence won an Oscar in the 2010 Academy Awards, ceremony attended by Prudence from the band.
• A second documentary made about the band called iThemba and released in Africa
• Performance at the Harare International Festival of the Arts in 2011, sponsored by Netherlands Embassy
• Prudence undertook a 3 week American tour with the film, Music by Prudence, including attendance at several disability rights programmes
• Three band members, Honest, Energy and Goodwell  accepted into the USA Embassy college programme – later all 3 gained places in American colleges
• Prudence made UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for Zimbabwe

Impact:

Through their professionalism and enthusiasm the band have impressed music lovers all over the world. 

Their message about disability has done more for the disabled rights programme in Zimbabwe than any amount of lobbying.  The impact of the Oscar winning film brought political acknowledgement of the situation of the disabled in Zimbabwe

The facts of a disabled band entertaining audiences in Zimbabwe has done so much for disability awareness in the country – everyone knows the name of Liyana and Prudence and are proud of their achievements

Prudence’s appointment as Goodwill Ambassador for Zimbabwe has furthered their positive message about disability

Personal achievements through Liyana’s success:

Prudence brought into disability rights movement including being made UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador

Honest, Goodwell and Energy gained places in American colleges

Farai provided with training in film making and editing – now producing excellent documentaries

Prudence, Farai, Tapiwa and Marvelous given full time employment at KGVI

Marvelous writing dramas to further disability awareness

Vusani given part time employment with Zara Centre for orphans in Bulawayo

 

Prudence Mabhena meets Oprah after the Oscars

Media coverage:

All Liyana members can be met on Facebook. 

Both films are available on line through their own websites  -  www.music by prudence.com  and for  iThemba see www.loliandrex.com/

Website on the Liyana USA tour –  liyanatour.com

Look up ‘Prudence’ on the net and follow some of the Liyana achievements

Some of Farai’s documentaries are linked to this website

Liyana performing at Bulawayo Theatre