 "Photo: Ashleigh Sauers")
Dr. Wonderful Bere is a visiting Professor at ESU. Yes, his first name is Wonderful, and his personality suits the name well.
Dr. Bere says, “My name has brought me good things.” The first time meeting someone can sometimes be uncomfortable. When he introduces himself, people are pleasantly surprised by his name, and the ice is broken, leading to a lighter mood and conversation.
Dr. Bere is a well-rounded and educated man. He teaches in a few departments including theatre, philosophy, and sociology.
He attended New York University, University of Wit Waterstrand and The University of Zimbabwe. He has attained a PhD in Performing studies, an MA in performing studies, MA in dramatic art (theatre), a BA in English honors and a general BA.
Teaching at ESU is something that Bere says he really enjoys. He is only here for one academic year but would consider staying longer because of his experience at ESU. He enjoys the diverse population. He says, “I met a bunch of students interested in learning from me, they don’t judge by skin color.”
Patricia Graham and Dr. Bere have been discussing trying to create new courses in intercultural and interdisciplinary studies.
Bere doesn’t know if teaching is what he always wanted to do, but it is the one thing he has always done. “I don’t see myself outside of teaching” says Bere. He says he is able to express himself through teaching and artistically practices what he teaches.
Outside of teaching, Dr. Wonderful Bere has several other hobbies. He is a recording artist. His performing name is Fafi A.k.a 3 Percent. He creates what he calls “world music,” which is done in an urban way, as he raps to African music.
He started recording music in 2004 when he came to New York. He was interested in Theatre, and the classes he had to take made him want to focus more on music. This influenced him to change his Dissertation from theatre to music he titled “Urban Grooves” based on Zimbabwe hip hop.
The name of his album is “Groove or Die.” It includes 10 tracks and musical assistance from Innocent Kunsedyo and Comfort Bere. It was produced by Three Music. To learn more about this, check out Bere’s official music website a www.myspace.com/threeonline.
He considers himself a “man of many pursuits and interests.” Not only is he a recording artist, but he also writes film scripts. He is currently working on two films. He is working on one full-length film called “Teen Sin” This is a play on words like “Teen Scene.” He is also working on a short film that is 26 minutes long called “Chipo.” This is based on the Zimbabwe urban environment.
After finals are over, Dr. Bere will be returning home to Zimbabwe for the first time in two years. He is excited to be home but he has been “too busy to be homesick.” He is also always in touch with people back home. His work involves him to staying engrossed with Zimbabwe culture, so he is here physically but there mentally.
Bere joked around about always having to make calls or do some sort of research saying that he knows more about what’s going on in Zimbabwe than his friends that live there. When he speaks to them they are so surprised about how updated he is on the current news that they say, “Are you a secret service man?”
Although Bere is gong back to Zimbabwe, he will be returning very soon. He will be giving a public lecture on March 24th. The lecture is called Black Theatricality and will be focusing on the way blackness has been looked at, coming out of slavery and colonialism. It will also include the way black people look at themselves.
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