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Cool Lifestyle Writer
Hard work and dedication indeed pays off as Aleck Pachambo of St Joseph’s in Chishawasha can testify after his ingenuity in playing the drum earned his school five handmade mbira instruments.

Aleck, a shy but talented pupil who is part of the school’s traditional dance club was the reason behind a grand celebration that took place on Thursday.

The instruments were donated by the Mbira Centre in partnership with the Culture Fund and European Union for arts and culture development.

Some may ask how the school was identified? This is where the Grade Four pupil comes in.

Two months ago, the school’s traditional dance club was part of an entertainment team at an arts awards ceremony that was held in Harare.

So brilliant was the team’s performance that they caught the attention of Mbira Centre director Albert Chimedza. What was even more superb was the pint sized traditional drummer stood out because of his brilliance – impressing all those who heard them.

“If you see other people doing things like these you need to get interested and learn too. That is how I started playing the drums and now I am good. I like traditional dance also and I am a good Jerusarema dancer,” Aleck told The Cool Lifestyle.

The Mbira Centre director told their Mbira teacher Ms Gambe on that day that any school that produced such talent was worthy of receiving a mbira donation!

So throughout the colourful presentation on Thursday, Alex got a thunderous ovation with the school head, school development committee leader and donor acknowledging his role.

The project is a nationwide Mbira in Schools project that officially started last year.

So yes, it is a big deal to be considered among thousands of schools, especially considering that they did not have mbira at the school.

Even more interesting is how St. Joseph’s School traditional dance club is a highly decorated after coming out tops in the national championships last year.

According to Ms Gambe they plan to excel in the mbira category also after receiving a boost from the mbira centre.

The school is also introducing mbira to its traditional dance club.

They are likely to take part in the inaugural mbira festival that will take place in September, the month of mbira.