In order to increase confidence and to develop individual skills, KGVI runs a very strong arts programme. The disabilities of a child become secondary when you see a deaf child dance in perfect rhythm or listen to the moving poetry of a child who cannot speak!  At the Centre we look for the abilities and talents of our students and try to find a way to release them. 

MUSIC

LIYANA is our internationally famous band consisting of 8 members playing Afro-fusion music. They have performed in Sweden, Netherlands, Belgium and America.  The Liyana story can be read on their own website and researched on line in numerous press reports.  There have also been 2 documentaries made about the band – Music by Prudence which won an Oscar in March 2010 and iThemba (Hope).  Both films have their own websites.

The up and coming band, New Generation has been trained by Liyana members and uses marimbas with a variety of drums and shakers.  We also have an active choir trained by Prudence Mabhena. 

CDs & DVDs

Liyana – the first of the Liyana cds, this one had 11 original songs and was sold both locally and abroad.

Sugar Rhythms – the second Liyana cd was produced in time to be sold during the USA tour.  It has 12 songs, most of them written by Liyana members.

Umntwana weQhawe – this is a music dvd about the Son of a Hero.  An original click song written by Prudence, performed by Liyana and acted by deaf students from KGVI.

Back to School – a music video made for UNICEF, Zimbabwe as part of their campaign to encourage children back to school.  The song was written by Prudence Mabhena and filmed by Farai Mabhande.  The vocalist was one of our youngsters from the new band, New Generation.

Jabulani (Joy)- an upbeat music video to thank our donors. Song by Prudence, filming by Farai.

We Dream in Colour – a short documentary about KGVI, produced by Farai and Marvelous

DRAMA

• HIV AIDS video – Dancing with Danger - In 2003 we were contracted by the National Association of Societies for the Care of the Handicapped (NASCOH) to make an AIDS awareness video for deaf people all over Zimbabwe.  We wrote, produced and filmed this video over a period of two weeks and were very proud of the finished product.  Our deaf students undertook the acting using sign language, while our wheelchair students provided the co-ordinated voices.  All the music for the video was written and sung by our own students.  From the little children of 8 years old to the older teenage children the acting was amazing and a very good message was recorded.

• HIV AIDS film – Betrayed -  This film was written, directed and acted by KGVI students.  Again all the songs were written and performed by Liyana.  The film carried a powerful message.

• I’m Disabled, So What – a play about a young girl who gives birth to a disabled child and is shunned by her family.  Written and directed by Marvelous Mbulo.

• Here I Am – a film produced in 2010 by Marvelous Mbulo about a young deaf girl who wants to become a hairdresser.

 

POETRY

Many students both present and past use poetry as a means of expressing their feelings.  Outwardly our students seem to be very happy but the frustrations and fear of their disabilities and their social problems are always present.  Poetry is a good way for such feelings to be released.  Subjects such as: abandonment, AIDS, street children, death and of course love all make common themes. 

One of our past students, Edmore Masendeke, who is presently studying at the University of Zimbabwe even published a book of his writings called Poems for Life.  His dedication runs: I dedicate this book to the children of King George VI School whose most precious gift is the lives they enjoy despite the hardships they go through every day of their lives.  Another past student, Mkhumi Valela, with almost unintelligible speech is now studying sociology with the University of South Africa (correspondence course) also writes poetry and is trying his hand at short stories and an account of his own life.

Stars in a Plate - this book is a collection of poetry and writing from the students of KGVI. In the words of the preface to the book “This is a bold and moving collection of poetry…..it is a celebration of freedom”  ….This book is offered up by the children of King George VI as a testament to their ability, their independence, their spirit and their pain! 

DANCING

Both our deaf and non-disabled students love dancing and we always have very active dance clubs.  Prudence despite her position in a wheelchair generally undertakes the choreography and teaching for any shows.  On several occasions we have joined with a local dance school and the children have learnt some modern dancing to complement their usual traditional dancing.  At present we have an active group of senior deaf students learning Hip Hop dances.

Deaf girls dancing at show

 

SHOWS

Most years we put on an Arts Festival at the Bulawayo Theatre or Academy of Music.  The shows can consist of singing, sign singing marimba, drama, traditional dancing, poetry reading, modelling and a display of painting. 

VISUAL ARTS

Painting has always formed part of the school curriculum but over the past few years many students have been entered for O level art and have passed.  Painting is a skill which is open to both our wheelchair bound children and our deaf students.  Even those students who cannot use their hands try to write and paint using either feet or mouths.  At present we have a vocational class who are studying different types of art including batik, printing and carving.  Several of our school leavers attend the Mzilikazi Arts Centre for a year’s course in visual arts.  Fibion Nkomo has sold several paintings of local scenes and animals.  Munyaradzi Nyuke is one of our deaf school leavers who attended Mzilikazi and is now making a living selling his original paintings. Three of our school leavers recently painted a bright and detailed mural on our music room wall.

 

Painting in music room done by deaf school leavers