Dr Patricia Opondo, a senior lecturer in African Music and Dance and Director of the African Music Project (AMP) at the School of Arts, delivered a presentation at the World Music Distinguished Scholar Series held at the University of Southern California in the United States.

Opondo’s presentation was themed: Transformative Pedagogy in the South African Tertiary Education Contexts.

She shared an interesting background associated with her presentation, including her experience living in Pittsburgh for 11 years as a student, artist, performer, curator, and fundraiser for cultural programming, providing practical experience in presenting inclusive multi-ethnic events.

Opondo began by outlining the objectives of the AMP, stating that its primary focus was music education, research, performance, and community development, advocating for African music to occupy a central space in institutions and fostering strong relations with communities.

She focused on transformative pedagogy, indigenous epistemologies, and the importance of cultural identity and inclusivity in the learning environment, advocating for a critical examination of contexts, beliefs, values, and attitudes.

Her talk also focused on the teaching and learning strategies employed in the African Music and Dance Programme (AMD) at UKZN which is one of a kind in southern Africa. ‘The aim is to promote African music study, practice, and appreciation as a tool for social change and empowerment, bridging traditions and highlighting local talent in KwaZulu-Natal,’ said Opondo, whose presentation was drawn from the AMD programme.

Opondo thanked the UCLA Ethnomusicology Archive for inviting her to contribute to the series, and said she had enjoyed the engagement with both UCLA students and staff, as well as global scholars who attended the talk and participated during the lively Q and A session.