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Langalakhe Mabena
Local traditional dance ensemble Ezimnyama became Bulawayo’s pride once more for the second time as they became the “crème de la crème” at this year’s Chibuku Neshamwari dance competition by scooping the first prize.
The competitions, which were held at Kadoma’s Rimuka Stadium saw the 17-member ensemble walking away with $15 000.
With the group having been formed five years ago, what comes to one’s mind is what kind of recipe the group uses to achieve so much a few years after its formation.
B-Metro managed to catch up with Phibion Ncube, who is the founder and manager of Ezimnyama, and a lot of secrets that have made them win twice in 2017 and 2019 were revealed.
Above them all he revealed it’s all about team work and respecting different ideas from the members.
“Art is about discipline, therefore, without it you won’t go anywhere, as Ezimnyama we have commandments that we follow and the major one is that no one has a better idea than anyone. We are all equal as we are gifted in different ways and if we combine our different ideas it leads to the success of the ensemble,” said Ncube.
The Ezimnyama gaffer learnt a lot while he was still a dancer with Iyasa.
“Team work is a borrowed initiative that I learnt while I was still with Iyasa. This makes Iyasa thrive so much because they work together as a team, something I also applied with Ezimnyama,” said Ncube.
At the 2017 competitions which were held at the White City Stadium, the ensemble which surprised many by scooping the first prize on their first appearance at the Chibuku Neshamwari stage borrowed the Tswana dance called Setapa.
The Setapa dance is a traditional musical dance which is originally from Bangwaketse tribe which is found in Botswana’s Kanye village.
This year, the group also borrowed the same Setapa dance routine, this time around fusing it with a Khoisan flavour.
Why is Ezimnyama obsessed with the Setapa dance?
Ncube revealed that the Setapa dance moves are tricky to master such that they need performers who have more rehearsals time to perfect them.
“When we won in 2017 we were using Setapa dance as our major routine and this time around we used the same dance but fusing it with a bit of Khoisan moves. I have a feeling the Setapa made us win because the dance is tricky and it can expose so many flaws and follies if performed poorly.
“It takes people who prepare and rehearse for a long time to polish it and I am certain the charisma we showed while performing made us favourites because we presented that we were over prepared for the competition, something the judges want,” said Ncube.
Meanwhile, Ncube revealed that after conquering Zimbabwe the ensemble is ready to take over the world.
“We have achieved in our country and that makes us to continue soldiering on and we are now preparing to conquer Europe as we receive more callings from that part of the world,” Ncube said.
One social media user identified as Nitram congratulated Ezimnyama and tipped them to invade Europe.
He wrote, “Edinburgh, London, Birmingham, Nottingham, Manchester should be your next destinations.”
Online Reporter