A well-known local reggae artist proved that music and education can be merged, when he was awarded a floating trophy, medal and certificate for being the Best Agricultural Science Teacher during the Department of Education Vhumbedzi Circuit Excellence Awards last month.

Humbulani Muthude (39), commonly known as Jahman Chiganja in the reggae fraternity, says he wants to prove his critics wrong who believe that musicians are drug abusers who do not have other special qualities to develop their own communities.

Chiganja, who teaches at Ranndogwana Secondary School in Halambani, northeast of Thohoyandou, produced a 100% pass rate in the Grade 12 Agricultural Science results in last year’s final examinations. “I have always taught myself to work hard since my youth. I have to make sure that I balance my musical career and my educational activities to avoid a conflict of interest. The floating trophy will never escape from my hands as I will work hard to defend it. I always dream of success, whether it be in class or on stage. The secret of success is hard work, determination and proper time management.”

Married to Ida, with three kids, Chiganja started teaching in 1989, but most of the community members thought he would not be able to make it in the teaching profession, due to his belief in Rastafarianism. “I got a lot of criticism because I sported dreadlocks and many people associated me with marijuana. I have to prove that being a Rastafarian does not mean smoking dagga, but it is a distinctive religion like Christianity. But I am happy because the fruits of my hard labour have been rewarded and I am contributing in the educational development of my community. Learners accept me for what I am and they enjoy my lessons as I give them more platform to experiment on their own. I teach them limited work per period and give them more time to do exercises. I also equip them with special skills on how to approach questions and they do not have problems when they sit for their final examinations.”

Chiganja started his musical career with the group Jah Live in 1996. The group disbanded a year later and he went solo. His first release in 2000 was Acres of Ganja, which featured the song Acres of Ganja, which became an unproclaimed anthem to the local reggae maniacs. He then released Respect Jah in 2002, which featured hits like Cloud of Ganja smoke and Vha a levha.

His latest is Rock of Stability, which was released last year. Both his albums were well received by his fans and they enjoy massive airplay in the SABC radio. He is presently working on another album, which will be released in the near future.

Chiganja advises the youth to take education seriously before fully venturing into the music industry. “Education is the only raod to success and it is the basis from which intellectual prosperity starts. Although I am a teacher in the class, I have an important social duty of teaching my people through music.”