Ms Thandeka Mfinyongo was appointed earlier this year as Lecturer in African Music at the School of Music. She responded as follows to a few questions about her work and life:
What are your goals and expectations for your new position?
My goals are to inspire students to engage deeply with African music, especially those from Southern Africa, and to foster an environment that values African musical heritage. I aim to bridge academic and practical knowledge, encouraging students to explore the cultural, historical, and social aspects of African music.
I also look forward to building collaborative projects that bring in local and intergenerational voices (through master classes from the younger and older generation of indigenous music practitioners), creating a platform for preserving and celebrating our musical traditions while promoting a new generation of African music scholars and performers.
What is your favourite time of the week at work?
My favourite time of the work week is when I’m engaging with students during practical music sessions. This hands-on time allows me to see their creativity and curiosity come alive as they interact with indigenous instruments and explore African music. I also love when students show a deep interest in the topic or lesson of the day, engaging so fully that time seems to fly by.
What are your top-3 favourite pieces of music?
- Land of Anaka by Geoffrey Oryema
- Yekabani na Le Ngoma by The Ngqoko Women Ensemble
- Ikhaya Lam by Abahambi
How do you relax?
I play the Bolt game on my phone, drink tea, and sometimes watck K-drama.
What made you happy recently?
My very first trip to Hong Kong.
