#SPoTLIGHT By Tafadzwa Gambiza
[ Today we speak to Eva Madanhi about the how she sees the industry, where we are going and what we must do to build back our name ] Eva Madanhi
Q :: Dance here in Zim was dominated by male in terms of opportunities. Now we see female dancers like you making a stand in the industry. Is the stigma still there in the industry ??
A :: The male representation as compared to the females generally in Zimbabwe and not just the dance industry Is male dominated but all sectors of the economy. Also because of our society it is hard to change that but of course as women we are trying to empower other women and ourselves to try and get to a point where it’s okay for a girl to be accepted as a dancer.
Q :: So many times we hear dancers complaining that they are not getting paid enough from musicians. Does a dancer have a standard fee ??
A :: Its basically the mentality that people have especially musicians because our industries are interlinked so we tend to work with them a lot. Musicians set aside a budget for everything else and try to negotiate for the dancers as if they don’t need them to make their work better when in actuality they do, but of course due to some dancers that are misinformed and cannot stand their ground and state their worth it gets easy for them to find someone else cheaper either way. Although not all musicians to that but the majority. kimmie dual fusion movement
Q :: What makes dancers get paid little and what should be done to change this ??
A :: We as dancers should inform each other and come to an understanding because it makes no sense when one dancer knows they have to be paid but the others are okay with being paid peanuts it slows the process. All dancers have to be aware. Saying no to peanuts and awareness I what dancers need.
Q :: Dance is fused with a certain culture, our we embracing our own culture ??
A :: Honestly yes our culture is important and dancers do know their culture and embrace it as well but it doesn’t necessarily mean we have to be confined to it every-time we express ourselves. A dancer specialises in a genre that speaks to their heart and soul when they dance and the dance they fell in love with in the first place.
Q :: You are part of Afro Dance Empire. Which is a dance studio. In Zimbabwe we only have a few studios. Therefore most dancers practice at home, church halls or in the streets. How is this affecting ones craft ??
A :: practicing at home is less expensive, than hiring a professional studio, it saves transport cost, even using church or community halls you dont normally pay however
It affects a lot ..your dance life wont be taken as a profession and rehearsing at home affect ,you can be discouraged by people around…. it’s hard to be realized by other dancers and known artists out there.. practicing at home it’s not bad but how can you learn new techniques or moves.
Q :: You have a dance technique that is not commonly practiced by female dancers, bonebreaking. Why this particular style and not Afro or hip hop ??
A :: I came up with this idea of doing fusion dances, bonebreaking because I realized that we let our talents die because of following what is trending … and I believe as girl If I do bonebreaking it can attract and inspire more, to people who are out there and to prove or show that female dancers can do it.
Q :: You have your own movement which is also an empowering movement. What lead to its birth ??
A :: This is what led to the birth of Kimmie_dual_fusion_movement… I noticed no-one was realizing our talents or value them in the dance industry and because it was our biggest dream to create our own dance style with fusion movement I mate up with Mitchell AKA Mitchy the legend and we decided to fuse dance with contortion and bonebreaking which we noticed that it is more valued out there within Zimbabwe… and we believe that the birth of our movement ,will take us far and its purpose is to encourage other people to be proud of their talents
Q :: We have a few dance schools in Zimbabwe and very few Dance promoters. Can we say a dancer in Zimbabwe at this moment is leaving of his craft or there is something else contributing??
A :: In my view, few are totally making a living out of their craft … if we take a look 80% of dancers they have other sources of income… to others they take as hobby…We are not living of our craft because there are not enough dance showcasing events and dancing opportunities are scarce if any at all. Promotion of art in Zimbabwe particularly dancing is next to none. Henceforth dancers do nt live of there craft if not side job or hand outs kimmie dual fusion movement
Q :: Do you think the Dance Industry in Zimbabwe is on a positive path, please shade more light ??
A :: This is because we have that pride among us as dancers that we are not willing to learn from those who are already there n those that are in the industry already they dont share ideas with the young ones.
Its not in a positive path, it can be wen all the dancers have a one mindset that is to be united..
Wooow well said my girl im proud of you keep pushing the good work,,,the world has to know that we have strong woman like you #strongwomen#dance-life