Mbulelo Mpofu, Sunday Life Reporter
The Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London has received a significant boost with the addition of their newest recruit, Mildred “Lighting Bae” Moyo, a talented lighting designer from Zimbabwe.
Moyo, who has joined the institution as a Lighting Design and Technology lecturer, expressed her enthusiasm for this opportunity, emphasising that her journey is deeply rooted in her faith, with God at the centre of it all.
“From humble beginnings in Bulawayo to being a lecturer at one of the top five institutions in the world for Music and Performing Arts in QS World University Rankings 2024 is truly unreal. I couldn’t have done it without God.
“God has been at the centre of everything that I do and I’m grateful. I’m also grateful to the institution for trusting me with this post, I never imagined myself being a lecturer one day after being a self-taught lighting designer with no skill but love for the trade” she told Sunday Life.
Her first term was short though as she started work during the festive when the institution was closed for the holidays.
“The past few days were surreal for me. I’m privileged to be in this position and I met the students for a few days before schools closed for the holidays.
“I have met industry greats and it’s such a breath of fresh air to be amongst them. Not only am I going to teach but I’m ready to also learn and increase my knowledge as well,” she said.
Moyo etched her name into the history books in September after graduating with a Master of Arts (MA) in Light in Performance from the renowned Rose Bruford College in London.
This made her the first black African woman to complete the prestigious MA programme having been offered a tailored scholarship.
Her life story wasn’t enough though. She was then featured in this year’s, “Women in Entertainment Lighting” Volume Three, at a special launch at an exclusive gathering at Ayrton’s showroom in Paris where she joined a distinguished group of 64 other women from various countries, and being the only Zimbabwean to be featured, highlighting her trailblazing journey in a predominantly male field.
Moyo rose to fame after hosting online lighting design masterclasses in 2020, during the Covid-19 induced lockdown where she invited industry greats to share their expertise and experience in the trade.
These include Robert Woodroffe, Hansjorg Schmidt, and Paulie Constable among others.