adminEmmanuel Ndlovu Saturday Leisure Correspondent
Bulawayo is home to numerous dance groups which are mostly into traditional and contemporary dance.
The fame of some of these groups has grown tremendously in Zimbabwe while others have managed to tap into the international audience. These include Iyasa, Siyaya Arts and Thandanani Women Ensemble.
Groups such as Antivirus, Break Equation, Explosion and Imvimbi Arts have managed to maintain their dominance on the local scene. Magesh Tornadoes has also remained resolute in maintaining its artistic hegemony after scooping the 2013 Nama awards in the outstanding dance group category.
The success of some of these groups depended mostly on discipline and commitment by their members, besides hard work. Although their success has raised the flag of the city, there are quite a number of controversies that have been noted mainly due to the unprofessional manner in which some artistes conduct their activities.
They often ‘‘steal’’ dancers from each other without any mechanisms set to curb them. This scourge hit a number of local groups such as Kwabatsha, Ziyawa Perfoming Arts and Intombi Zomqangala.
The trend has caused tensions among them sometimes leading into splits. The splits have led to the emergence of new groups as ‘‘rebels’’ form their own immediately after breaking away from the original outfit.
For instance, Iluba Lemvelo female outfit was established last year by former members of Thandanani Women Ensemble following internal squabbles. The split of Exotic Rhumba dancers led to the formation of Girls La Musica.
All this has been attributed to lack of constitutions and contracts binding members to their respective groups. They set guidelines on how members join and leave the group. They also stipulate how contracts are signed by artistes.
The administrator of Masibemunye Arts Association, Thulani Javas Sibanda said:
“As an association, we have noted that most artistes particularly dance groups, do not have constitutions guiding them. This shows that most of them do not take their work seriously. This is the reason for the fights and splits which have become the norm over the years.”
He also added that the association, which has a membership of more than 80 artistes, has tried to engage them in coming up with constitutions.
“We have tried to educate our members on the importance of having constitutions. While we have assisted some in crafting them as part of our efforts to nurture a culture of professionalism among artistes,” Sibanda added.
Other groups like to have constitutions and dancers sign contracts. Trust Gumpo, director for Kwabatsha Dance Company said the group has a constitution which stipulates clearly the expected conduct of members.
“Kwabatsha has a vision that it seeks to achieve as enshrined in the constitution. Members have a contract that stretches for a year and it binds them to the group. Any member who signs the contract is not allowed to work with another group without our consent
“In the past years, some of the members were put on disciplinary action for deviating from the agreed principles,” revealed Gumpo.
He also said these mechanisms help in protecting the reputation of the eight member group especially when some members misbehave.
Magesh Tornadoes director, Tinashe Ngwenya, also said the award-winning group has contracts which enforce professional behaviour among members.
“Our contracts are renewed every year. Any member who feels uncomfortable in working with Magesh is allowed to leave before signing the contract.
“Our values, as per the constitution mainly discourage members from taking alcohol before performances, absconding rehearsals and acting in a manner that may tarnish our public image,” Ngwenya said.
He said the group is strict in ensuring that members abide by the constitution. He revealed that last year in August one of the members, Ozzie, was suspended for breaching the constitution. Ozzie is said to have rejoined the group this year.
Masibemunye Arts Association which is based at Stanley Square in Makokoba suburb was formed in 1992. It was initially a platform for local artistes to create their work and showcase them before a live audience.
As the numbers of artistes grew, the association became a representative body for them.
Most of dance groups and local imbube outfits fall under it.
Online Reporter