According to the survey most dance groups especially male dominated ones do not get much financial reward from entertaining huge crowds in bars and restaurants despite the fact that some of the venues will be filled to capacity.
“We get peanuts for what we do,” said a male dance group member in Harare.
“The management of the places where we play take all the cash and sometimes give us as little as US$50 for the whole band which is very little when you consider the fact that there will be about 10 of us sometimes.”
“Magesh”, a male only dance group from Bulawayo said in an interview that they too needed sponsorship because they were failing to dance at major events due to the fact that they could not afford the huge transport costs that sometimes come with the trade.
“We have a new routine but we cannot do it because we are broke,” said Amos Mathie, one of the Magesh dancers in an interview after performing at The Balcony Restaurant and Bar.
“Our dance is very unique. In fact we are the Champions of the Jibilika Festival last year in Zimbabwe. So we are actually very great. What we need right now is sponsorship in order to continue entertaining our many fans,” Mathie said.
He said, however, 2011 would be much better than last year when the dance group did not have many shows in Harare where most of the cash is made.
“We are the best dance group right now. It is actually a shame when we cannot go to the places where we have been called to dance because we seriously need sponsorship. In 2011 I hope good things come our way,” said Mathie.
Another dancer with a Kwaito Group, “Amajimbos”, said in an interview that they also needed sponsorship.
“I hope 2011 will improve,” he said. “We still need sponsorship. We are broke right now. Life in Harare is very expensive and we are finding it hard to survive as a group.
“2010 was OK I can say. But I expect things to get better this year in 2011. We want to change our dance routines because times and things are changing. People do not want to watch the same dance every time you get onto the dance floor.”
The Balcony Restaurant and Night Club’s DJ “Dee Knife also known as Milton Nyabanga, said in an interview that 2011 was proving to be good for him.
“More fire,” he said.
“Male dance groups are on the rise in Harare. I think the introduction of the United States dollar has also helped all of us as dancers in Zimbabwe.
“I play at mainly corporate functions, parties and outside areas in and around Harare. I also go out of town to several places to spin my music. I like The Balcony Restaurant very much,” said Nyabanga.
Post published in: Music