When disabled Bulawayo girl Prudence Mabhena started singing all she wanted to do was just that- sing. When American filmmaker Roger Ross Williams heard about her and her band all he wanted to do was to make a film about them and share their story of courage with the world. None of them ever imagined that they both would attend the 82nd edition of the Oscars to receive a golden statue for the 32 minute documentary.

^ Ross Williams, Prudence Mabhena and Oscar (Picture: AP).

The film, directed by Williams and co-produced by him and Elinor Burkett, is titled Music by Prudence. It tells the heart warming story of a young girl, born with a condition called arthrogryposis, who overcame the stigma and physical challenges that came with it to form a band that not only made beautiful music, but sent an even more beautiful message around the world- disability really isn’t inability.

The film, nominated in the Best Short Documentary category, at the 2010 Academy Awards, held on Sunday 7th March at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, beat four other short doccies to capture the coveted statue.

^ Ross Williams & Prudence Mabhena during the making of the film (Picture: Errol Webber).

The 21-year old Prudence was there to witness the glitz and glamour of the Oscars and to rub shoulders with the stars. She had earlier told The Zimbo Jam that she was not sure if she would attend as she had no invitation for the event and was not sure if her VISA would come through.

"This is amazing,” said Williams in his emotional acceptance speech, “Two years ago when I flew to Zimbabwe, I never imagined I would wind up here… This is for Prudence."

There was slight confusion when producer Elinor Burkett stormed the stage, Kanye West style, took over the microphone and spoke about how men always get to speak instead of the women. "Isn't that just the classic thing," she said. She went on; “You know, in a world in which most of us are told and tell ourselves that we can't, Liyana, the band behind the film, teaches us that we're wrong.”

Apparently Her and Williams have had differences over the film and are not on talking terms.

But the true heroine of the night was Prudence. As Williams spoke, the cameras showed her smiling happily in the audience, surrounded by stars which prior to that evening she had only ever seen on TV.

Later on, she got a chance to mix and mingle with stars like Oprah Winfrey, Mo’Nique, Sandra Bullock, Gabourey Sidibe (another new kid on the star list) and Alec Baldwin at the Governor’s Ball.

- The Zimbo Jam

• See the full list of 2010 nominees and winners for the Oscars
• Video of Liyana performing at PG Chambers School during their US tour last year.
• The Zimbo Jam editor on meeting Prudence.
• Liyana inspired many during their US tour.
• Liyana performs Sugar Rhythms.
• Liyana performs Son of the Hero.

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MERCY  - wow   |2010-03-09 12:50:15 Iam truely proud of you.... Iam so happy.... Reply 1   1

Gugu   |2010-03-10 00:47:29 Liyana izulu! It's raining great things for you guys. Well done. Reply 0   1

Like your name   |2010-03-10 13:54:09 Yes, like your name it's raining blessings! Reply 0   0

Garai   |2010-03-10 01:25:54 Makorokoto! Reply 0   0

Anonymous   |2010-03-10 08:13:57 Great Going! Well done. I think Prudence and her team are awesome! Reply 0   0

Amanda   |2010-03-10 08:16:43 Didn't know about these guys at all. Why do we always wait for someone else to celebrate our talent before we can honour it at home? This is great news all the same. Reply 0   0

Amy Lee   |2010-03-10 13:36:15 Really cool. Amhlope! The truth is that there are hundreds of oscar worth stories in Zimbabwe today. Just stop any Zimbwean ans ask... Reply 0   0

Tanaka   |2010-03-10 13:37:19 Congratulations guys. Next we want a grammmy for your music! Reply 0   0

Effortlessly   |2010-03-11 01:03:26 Go Bulawayo! Reply 0   0

Hottie27   |2010-03-11 01:10:19 You guys have really shown that disability is not inability. There are many able bodied people who have not been able to do much much less with much much more. Reply 0   0

Anonymous   |2010-03-13 14:54:59 Amhlope Liyana....a bit disturbed though that the media does not research to the fullness of the story. I heard from some quarters that LIYANA participated in a Inter-regional music competition in Maputo , beating 8 other groups from Mozambique,Malawi,Zimbabwe,Zambia and Tanzania and they won a prize to tour SWEDEN,HOLLAND and BELGIUM in 2007.It was the MUSIC CROSSROADS INTER REGIONAL FESTIVAL... Reply 0   0

Lemuel   |2010-03-14 11:09:55 Amhlope Prudence and Liyana. You have made us proud- but may this be the beginning of many more amazing things. Reply 0   0

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