Musician finishes masters after suffering stroke
More than three years after suffering a life-changing stroke while on stage, musician Joe Makhanza finally achieved his goal and obtained his master’s degree in ethnomusicology from Rhodes University.
Makhanza, who walked across the stage at the university’s graduation ceremony at the 1820 Settler’s Monument, said he was overjoyed to finally receive his degree following years of recovery.
In November 2019, the Limpopo-born musician, a skilled self-taught instrument builder of African musical instruments, was invited to open a performance of Gambian kora player Sona Jobarteh at Nelson Mandela University. On November 9 of that year, the unexpected happened.
“I never will forget that day. I performed my set and the audience were busy enjoying my music. The unfortunate part is that as I was moving my musical instruments just to clear the stage for her [Jobarteh], I took a few steps and I collapsed right in front of the audience.”
After being rushed to Livingstone Hospital, it was established that Makhanza had suffered a heart attack.
He was later transferred to Makhanda with the help of Rhodes where he was working as a part-time lecturer in African music studies, a position he left after his stroke.
“To be honest it was a tough journey to walk through, but by God’s grace and dedication I made it.
“My story is more like the one of a resilient seed that can withstand any type of difficult conditions. I truly thank everyone who has been very supportive in all spheres of my academic journey.”
Makhanza holds a BMus degree, a postgraduate diploma in arts marketing from Wits University and is a multi-instrumentalist who plays the kora, mbira, valiha, masenqo, xiwewe, ngoni ba and xizambi, to name a few.
“Hardships in life will propel you to focus on your dreams and making sure you achieve those goals,” he said.
At present unable to perform because of the aftereffects of the stroke, Makhanza said his wish was to land a teaching job where he could share his crafting skills while eyeing a doctoral degree in African musical instrument building.