adminYeukai Karengezeka Arts Correspondent
Dancers Association of Zimbabwe has appointed a renowned dancer Heather Gardener as their new vice president of the board in a bid to equally represent female dancers in the committee. DAZ president Hapaguti Mapimhidze revealed the development to the Herald Entertainment yesterday.“We recently appointed our vice president and as the board we believe she is capable of carrying out her roles since she has been in the industry for 10 years,” he said.
Heather said she was humbled by the appointment and is determined to bring transformation to the board.
“I am very happy because now there is a female on the board who will equally represent ladies in the entertainment circles. Sometimes it was difficult for the female dancers to come and share their challenges with men.
“Hopefully, I will ensure that we start holding some workshops with them and help each in terms of conduct in their profession and discourage them to do bad things after getting off stage,” she said.
Heather is a founding member of the dance troupe called Pala Fala created in 2006. DAZ was created in 2010 after it was suggested that dancers should create an association.
Some of their roles include protection of both male and female dancers from various abuses, setting minimum charges for performances and assisting in times of need by securing money or services for dancers.
The dancers pay annual subscriptions of US$20 per group, which Daz uses to finance its activities.
Dancers in Zimbabwe, particularly women had suffered abuse at the hands of bar owners and promoters.
Their remuneration was not pegged, so it was easy for them to be exploited. Setting up DAZ was the only way that order and fair play could be assured in the fast-growing sector.
Online Reporter