How a Bulawayo artist is using dance to fight drug abuse and promote culture
In a country where fighting drug and substance abuse is a priority, a Bulawayo artist has taken a step ahead by forming a dance group in an effort to prevent drug and substance abuse.
Phibion Ncube founded Ezimnyama Dance Ensemble in 2009 with the aim of bringing together young people who had no jobs and were indulging in substance abuse.
“I discovered there was a lot of young people who didn’t have any jobs. Some were indulging in substance abuse and getting them off the streets. I decided to bring the youths together and started Ezimnyama Dance Ensemble,” he said.
For Phibion Ncube, art is more than just a hobby or a profession. It is a passion, a mission, and a way of life.
Ezimnyama Dance
Ncube is the director of Ezimnyama Dance Ensemble, a multi-award winning group that showcases the rich and diverse culture of Zimbabwe through dance, music, and theatre.
“I started arts at a tender age when I was at primary school. I was a dancer. I love dancing. I would dance at my family celebrations during Xmas, new year and in community parties,” Ncube said in an interview with KoNtuthu News reporter.
He said he joined Mpopoma High School drama club when he was in secondary school and that’s when his interest in arts grew. He decided to pursue art as his career and never looked back.
“I am passionate about arts and I love it,” he said.
He said the group’s art is unlimited and can tell stories through various forms of expression.
Unlimited
“Our art is unlimited because you may find us telling a story through dance. You find us singing. You find us acting. So what I can say is that our art is broader. Above all, our art unites, educates and entertains,” he said.
Ncube said Bulawayo, the cultural hub of the country, has been supportive of the group’s work and has inspired them to be creative and produce quality art.
“Being in Bulawayo, you become creative because the community here wants quality art. So in order to be the best, you have to work hard. And the Bulawayo community supports our works. We really appreciate,” he said.
He said the group has faced a lot of challenges, such as lack of funding, equipment, and venues, but has managed to overcome them by being strategic and treating art as a business.
“We do a lot of activities. We treat art as a business,” he said.
Recognition & Appreciation
He said the group has also achieved a lot of recognition and appreciation both locally and internationally. The group has won several awards, such as the National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA), Bulawayo Arts Awards (BAA), Roil Bulawayo Arts Festival (RBAF), and Intwasa Arts Festival.
“We have created a name for ourselves in Zimbabwe as witnessed by a number of nominations and a lot of awards we have won. We have so far received great appreciation at home and on international platforms. This is the greatest achievement for us,” he said.
He said the group has also performed in countries such as South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Sudan, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Mali, Ivory Coast
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