Online Reporter
Trust Khosa
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
DANCER Beverly “Bev” Sibanda believes she has shaped the careers of fellow club dancers who are now struggling to remain relevant by engaging in conflicts with one another.
Bev, who is an accomplished pole dancer, a master of ceremonies and a musician, noted that she is no longer responding to bullies who seek to create drama for attention.
Instead, the leader of the Sex Angels has vowed to report instances of cyberbullying if fellow dancers continue to infringe on her privacy.
“From 2007 until now, I have been in the industry doing what I love the most. However, there comes a time when one matures and transitions from being a girl to a woman, as is the case with me,” she shared.
“Many of the club dancers were simply copycats, who never introduced their own routines; they would wait for the rest of us to innovate before copying our new moves. I had reached a point where I was almost fed up, as many of these dancers lacked creativity and merely waited for us to reinvent the wheel.
“As a result, I’m keeping my circle small and don’t have time to entertain foolishness.”
Without name-dropping, Bev said she once faced resistance from some club dancers, who wanted physical confrontations with her.
“Drama has always been part of the game, and I experienced these instances. As a torch bearer, all of this was expected, as most of these dancers needed grooming.
“In my case, I am glad that I have managed to remain relevant and be counted among the elite and consistent creatives due to grooming,” she emphasised.
Bev, who is set to resume live performances soon, hailed the recently ended season as a huge success.
“I can’t thank God enough for the past year. This time around, we were doing our shows in a unique manner. We held a series of live shows outside Harare and in the region, which was rewarding. I would like to thank all the promoters, club owners, and fans who support my brand.
“I am a trendsetter when it comes to dance in the club scene; most of the groups used to copy me and would create conflicts with me to remain relevant,” she stated.
In a recent interview with Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub, she also noted that dance will continue to thrive for years to come.
What she prays for is professionalism among club dancers and collaborations that have the potential to propel the genre to greater acclaim.
“Dance will never die, but we need to be professional for the good of the industry. The way we carry ourselves in public matters, and we urge groups to adopt professionalism.
“As creatives, we will always need each other, and this can only be addressed through major collaborations that are necessary for the sector to yield results,” she stated.
Bev also warned fellow club dancers to be wary of sex predators preying on many of them
“Over the years, I have noticed that sex predators are on the loose, and this should be addressed. Dancers need to take the lead in these promotions. In my case, I make sure that I protect my band members, and we value our bodies, which has allowed us to remain relevant in the game.”
She noted that the showbiz industry is not for the faint-hearted.
“I have seen it all in this game, and I will continue working hard to ensure that I remain relevant. As we begin the new season, I look forward to exciting times, and this can be achieved through professionalism, focus, and hard work.
“In this industry, we simply need to stick to our goals and ensure that we last the distance,” she pointed out.
