They say you are never too old to learn and veteran singer Mercy Phakela has proven the saying to be true by going back to the university. The Thula singer is currently studying Cultural Policy Management at the University of the Witwatersrand.
FIRST TIME AT UNIVERSITY
Mercy is fit as a fiddle and said she won't be deterred by the so-called old age. The Ayashisa Amateki singer, said she decided to go back to school to expand her knowledge about the music business. This is her first time at university. She finished high school in Grade 11 and pursued her music career. "Music took over my life and I was not able to complete my studies. But I qualified for this course based on merit and my years of experience. I had to motivate and prove why I qualified despite not completing my Grade 12 and I qualified," Mercy said.
ATTENDING CLASSES
Mercy attends classes with students every week and has been enjoying every minute of being at university. "I am learning so much. The students and lecturers are also learning from me as someone who has been in the industry for a long time and who knows about copyrights, etcetera. So, our discussions are fruitful and so rich with knowledge and I am passing well," she added. In the near future, Mercy wants to do her Masters degree. "And then, God willing, I can push myself to do a PhD. I love the idea of an honorary doctorate but I would feel more rewarded if I worked for it and proved to myself that it is never too late," she said.
EDUCATION FEES
Being a full-time musician, Mercy said fees don't come cheap and she has had to sacrifice some of her royalty money to pay for her tuition. "It has been worth the sacrifice. But I also have some people helping me to cover some costs. Some don't want to be mentioned, but one of them is Rosie Katz. I still knock on doors, asking for assistance. God-willing, I will graduate at the end of the year. It's never too late to learn. There are things I wish I knew before getting into the music industry, so I can make better choices but it's never too late,' said Mercy.
Mercy is also set to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at this year's Basadi In Music Awards. "In over three decades of my contribution, I am honoured by a young woman, Hloni Modise-Matau, the founder of Basadi,' she said. "This is a big deal for me. It took someone in this generation to say I am valuable. I am honoured and wish to see more young and old artists come together and collaborate," she concluded.
