Devine Assignments steers dance awards

Arts Correspondent
Organisers of the upcoming dance award have commended promotions company Devine Assignments for working towards the development of the genre in the country. Dancers Association of Zimbabwe will hold its annual awards at City Sports Bar on February 22 when a number of club dancers will be honoured. DAZ president Hapers Mapimhidze said they owe their success to Devine Assignments, which has sponsored most events involving the dancers and spearheaded various programmes under the dance association.

“We can say Devine Assignments is our parent company. They have been supporting us over the years and they have been instrumental in these awards,” said Mapimhidze.

“Our first office as DAZ was housed at Devine Assignments premises. We had a number of programmes under them and they have sponsored the awards in many ways. They give us their venue for free and they also give us the certificates and rewards that our winners get.

“The company has hosted most dance competitions that have been done in our sector in addition to shows that are held at their various venues featuring dance groups.” Mapimhidze said most dancers that were nominated are looking forward to the ceremony.

Devine Assignments director Biggie Chinoperekwei said their promotions company considers various facets of the arts industry and they realised that many youngsters are earning a living from dance.

“There are young men and women that are making a living from dancing on stage. We used to prioritise music promotion, but we discovered that dancers also contribute greatly to the arts industry. The dance groups have also been grooming grounds for dancers that go on to join popular musicians’ bands,” said Chinoperekwei.

“Some of the dancers have expanded their art to become recording musicians and we are happy to see the industry growing. That is our role as promoters. Besides doing big shows and festivals, Devine Assignments also looks at some areas that are generally neglected in the industry and that is why we also have our weekly Jam Session that promote musicians that are left out of big shows.

“We are happy to be associated with the coming dancers’ awards and we hope the recognition will inspire the dancers to keep working hard.”

Mapimhidze said there would be bigger rewards for winning dancers this year. Below is the list of nominees:

Best Female Rhumba Dancer
Petronella Dhlamini (Expandables)
Fred Nhamo (Sexy Angels)
Girlie Mahlangu (Royal Queen)

Best Male Rhumba Dancer
Terence Gomo (Expandables)
Innocent Mili (Expandables)
Tendai Mukwindidza (Sexy Angels)

Best female Sungura dancer
Monica Mukombe (Manjenjenje)
Juliet Konzani (Sexy Angels)
Precious Makwame (Syndicate)

Best Male Sungura Dancer
Paul Madhara (Generations)
Nicholas Wiless (Syndicate)
Malik Isa (Sexy Angels)

Best Arts Performer Male
David Machowa (APAMA)
Fungai Daura (Fearless)
Calton Matope (Fearless)

Best Arts Performer Female
Jestina Chimbizi (Unique)
Blessing Mariyano (Fearless)
Calton Matope (Fearless)

Best Female Dancer (Overall)
Precious Makwame (Syndicate)
Zoey Sifelani (Red Angels)
Beverly Sibanda (Sexy Angels)

Best Male Dancer (Overall)
Terrance Gomo (Expandables)
Fungai Daura (Fearless)
Loveman Katsande (Pramastove)

Manager of the Year
Jestina Chimbizi (Unique)
Terrance Gomo (Expandables)
Chinyaradzo Dube (Digital)

Most Promising Dancer, Female
Patience Mateyu (Fearless)
Melody Maponga (Unique)
Portia Dube (Fireworks)

Most Promising Dancer, Male
Tapiwa Sibanda (Manjenje)
Junior Kamudyairiwa (Syndicate)

Most Improved Dancer, Female
Drina Mudanga (Expandables)
Melody Madonga (Unique)
Yeukai Kambwanga (Millenium)

Most Improved Dancer, Male
Fednand Chikanga (Fearless)
Prince Chikurusa

Best Kwaito Dancer
Memory Maphosa (Digital)
Girlie Mahlangu (Digital)

Best Dressed Dance Group
Sexy Angels
Unique
Fearless

Most Disciplined Dance Group
Starlight
Fireworks
Manjenje

Most Innovative and Creative
APAMA
Fearless
Expendables

Most Improved Dance Group
Manjenje
Fireworks
Malaika

Best Rhumba Dance Group
Starlight
Expandables
Uniques

Best Sungura Dance Group
Generation
Manjenje
Syndicate

Best Performer in Acts
Crazyboys
Fearless
APAMA

Best Dance Group
APAMA
Sexy Angels
Fearless

Most Versatile Group
APAMA
Sexy Angels
Fearless

Most Consistent Group
Unique
Sexy Angels
Fearless