Online Reporter
Langalihle Mhiti
CHOREOGRAPHY is steadily becoming a popular feature of Zimbabwe’s entertainment industry, with dance practitioners using their skills to transform music performances, videos and social media content.
The growing interest in dance has seen choreographers such as John Cole, Proud Choreographer, Kuda the Choreographer and Nixxi The Codebreaker attracting attention from audiences eager to see creative movement and fresh performance styles. As musicians continue to embrace visual entertainment, choreography is becoming an important part of how artistes present themselves and engage with fans.
Proud Choreographer, who has established a presence in the local dance scene, said choreography was more than simply moving to music.
“Choreography is about expressing yourself through movement and telling a story without necessarily using words. It requires creativity, discipline and understanding the music,” he said.
He added that the growing interest in dance was creating opportunities for young people with talent. “Zimbabwe has a lot of talented dancers, and what makes me happy is seeing more young people taking choreography seriously.
“We have the potential to compete with dancers from other countries if we continue working hard,” he said. John Cole is also among the names associated with Zimbabwe’s choreography landscape, contributing to the visibility of dance as a creative discipline.
For many musicians, dance has become an essential part of music videos and live performances, helping to create memorable moments for audiences. Kuda the Choreographer is another personality whose work reflects the increasing presence of dance in the local entertainment space.
Choreographers play a crucial role in developing routines that complement an artiste’s music, stage presence and overall image.
Nixxi The Codebreaker is also part of the growing community of dance practitioners whose names are becoming familiar to audiences interested in choreography.
The popularity of social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Facebook has further changed the way dance content reaches the public.
Dance challenges and short performance videos allow choreographers to showcase their abilities to wider audiences while encouraging fans to participate.
One dance enthusiast, Tinashe Moyo, said choreography was becoming an important part of entertainment.
“Dance makes music more exciting, especially when the routines are creative and easy for fans to learn. We are now seeing dancers becoming celebrities because of their talent,” he said. Tinashe further said social media had helped expose more people to dance.
“Before, we mostly saw choreographers during live shows or music videos. Now we can follow their work online and learn their routines.
“It shows how much the dance industry is growing,” he said. Despite the growing popularity, choreographers still face challenges, including limited professional opportunities, inadequate financial support and the need for greater recognition.
Proud Choreographer said more investment was needed to help dancers develop sustainable careers.
“We need more platforms where choreographers can perform, teach and earn a living from their talent. Dance should be treated as a profession because there are people who dedicate their whole lives to it,” he said.
As Zimbabwe’s entertainment industry continues to evolve, choreography is likely to remain an important part of music, performance and digital culture.
With practitioners such as John Cole, Proud Choreographer, Kuda the Choreographer and Nixxi The Codebreaker contributing to the dance scene, the discipline continues to attract attention from artists and audiences alike.
Mathew Masinge