THOHOYANDOU – A delegation from Kabarak University in Kenya paid a courtesy visit to the Mphaphuli Royal Council on Wednesday, 11 March 2026, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening academic and cultural collaboration with the University of Venda (UNIVEN) and traditional leadership, particularly in advancing the recently launched African Musicology Institute (AMI).
Led by Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic and Research, Prof John Ochola, and Director of the African Musicology Institute (Kabarak University), Prof. Mellitus Wanyama, the Kabarak University delegation visited the Mphaphuli Royal Council as part of ongoing engagements aimed at deepening partnerships between the two universities and the royal leadership.
Prof Ochola and Prof Wanyama from Kabarak University listen attentively during the formal proceedings
The visit follows earlier discussions between Kabarak University and the University of Venda regarding the establishment of the African Musicology Institute, an initiative intended to promote research, preservation and scholarly study of African music traditions.
The delegation’s return visit to the royal council was also intended to pay homage and reaffirm the critical role of the Mphaphuli Royal Council in supporting the envisioned institute and broader cultural collaboration between the institutions.
UNIVEN’s Dr. Dzaga and Dr. Ratombo addressing the audience
Welcoming the delegation, Thovhele Gole Mphaphuli acknowledged the longstanding relation-ship between the institutions and the royal council. He noted that the partnership had been strengthened through previous engagements, including the Mphaphuli Day celebrations.
Thovhele Gole Mphaphuli delivers his speech during the visit
Thovhele Gole Mphaphuli expressed appreciation to Kabarak University for choosing to col-laborate with the University of Venda and the Mphaphuli Royal Council in promoting cultural exchange and academic cooperation. He emphasised the importance of preserving African cultural heritage for future generations. “Our cultures and traditions must be preserved and documented for the future. Through partnerships such as this, we are able to celebrate our heritage and ensure that our music and traditions continue to live on,” he said.
The African Musicology Institute is envisioned as a continental hub for research and documen-tation of African music, bringing together scholars, cultural practitioners and students from across Africa. The initiative will focus on the study and preservation of indigenous musical tra-ditions, including Tshivenda traditional music.
Prof Ochola thanked the Mphaphuli Royal Council for hosting the delegation and reaffirmed Kabarak University’s commitment to community engagement and cultural scholarship.
“This partnership reflects our shared vision of preserving African heritage through research and academic collaboration. Universities must work with communities and traditional leader-ship to ensure that indigenous knowledge systems, including traditional music, are document-ed and passed on to future generations,” he said.
The collaboration is also expected to foster student exchange programmes and joint research initiatives between the two universities, enabling students and scholars to learn from each other’s cultural heritage and shared values.
Prof Geoff Mapaya (right) in conversation with Prof Wanyama (left)
Experts in African music studies, including renowned African music scholar and UNIVEN’s Di-rector of the African Musicology Institute, Prof Geoff Mapaya, are expected to contribute to the institute’s development, particularly in refining and preserving traditional musical forms.
The event was also attended by a University of Venda senior management members compris-ing Dr. Takalani Dzaga, Dr Mutshinyalo Ratombo, Prof Geoff Mapaya, Prof Takalani Mashau and Dr. Segun Obadire, as well as chiefs and members of the Mphaphuli Royal Council.
A group photo with His Majesty, Thovhele Gole Mphaphuli (middle) and UNIVEN representatives
The visit concluded with a vote of thanks from the Royal Council, which wished the delegation safe travels and expressed optimism that the partnership will continue to grow and bear fruit through research, cultural exchange, and academic collaboration between the institutions. Traditional performances followed the formal proceedings.
Traditional performance
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