Online Reporter
Mthabisi Tshuma
Zimpapers Entertainment Hub
The dance industry is incomplete without choreographers, who have become a vital component of one of the fastest-evolving creative sectors today. Among them is a standout talent, Prince Chibansha, popularly known by his stage name Unofficial Prince.
Born in Chinhoyi and raised between Bulawayo and Beitbridge, Unofficial Prince is a choreographer, dancer, and movement creative director whose work continues to shape contemporary performance culture.
He leads the fast-rising Bulawayo-based “No Name Dance Crew”, a collective that is unafraid to push boundaries and, he says, continuously challenges him to become the best version of himself.
The 28-year-old recently made headlines after choreographing performances at the National Arts Merit Awards (Nama), where he delivered a strong showing despite initial pressure.
“I was nervous and less confident during the first few days of rehearsals. I’m not used to getting choreography jobs in Bulawayo and here I was, in Harare working with new faces.
“I had to make sure I do my research on how the previous Nama’s were conducted and the quality of performances. Ndomzy, the creative director for the Namas played a huge part in mentoring and motivating,” he said.
Unofficial Prince said one of the biggest challenges in his artistic journey has been balancing relevance while remaining true to his craft.
“Everywhere I go, there’s always this statement of saying ‘wena wagida kudala tshiyela abanye’, meaning ‘you have been in the game for too long, you should retire and give others a chance’. I’m at my peak now, this is the time to actually make money and perform a lot more,” he said.
Looking ahead, he hopes to establish a dance school focused not only on performance, but also on the business side of creativity.
“My dream is to establish a dance school that focuses on talent development, how to monetise it, and how to invest in other business ideas to generate a steady cashflow.
‘‘I want to push myself and my team 110%, and we let God decide the outcome,” said Unofficial Prince.
