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Langalakhe Mabena
Contemporary dance group Asante Mo, are set to stage their first solo show on 21 February at the Bulawayo Theatre titled iHossana: The Dancing Drums, which is a fusion of music, deejaying, percussion and dance production directed by Donovan Jacobs.
Asante Mo (which loosely translates to thank you in Swahili) was established in 2019, and it comprises Aaron Chikondawanga (DJ Beast), Bekithemba Phiri (Beckx Marabha) and Newman Gondwe (Daiman).
The group’s front man, Gondwe, said iHossana is a production that is meant to express adoration, praise and joy to different dance styles and moves that are common in townships.
“IHossana is our first solo production and we are excited to have designed this set-piece that we will display at Bulawayo Theatre. The production is meant to celebrate different dance moves and styles that are common eKasi (township).
“Our presentation is fused with Pantsula, Isibhujwa, Gqom as well as Kwaito dances complemented by a fine choreograph of Afro Tech sounds that we usually portray through playing drums.
“This is a once in a lifetime production as it is unique. It’s a not to be missed event as it is the first big production from us and we promise to give all the energy we have on stage,” said Gondwe.
Asante Mo is a complete ensemble blessed with pure Makokoba talent, as the group members grew up together in one of the city’s oldest townships.
During their childhood, dancing at the youth centre in Makokoba gave them exposure and also taught them a lot about how to express themselves through art.
“We grew up in Makokoba and we were friends from a tender age. We realised that our bodies were flexible and we had a common interest in the arts and entertainment sector so we joined the youth centre for programmes that they offered and we learnt a lot there.
“We were always looking forward to making it big in the industry and we eventually found ourselves spending most of our time learning dancing,” said Gondwe.
All Asante Mo members are Inkululeko Yabatsha School of Arts (Iyasa) graduates and they served different years at the arts school, with Phiri serving Iyasa for 14 years while Gondwe and Chikondawanga put in eight and six years respectively.
They have toured countries including Germany, Austria, Japan, Swaziland, Botswana, South Africa and Malawi among others, as part of Iyasa, cementing their experience in the showbiz industry.
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