From dance group to construction company

Standard Style
The name Mambokadzi could be the most prominent reminder of the dance group craze that swept through local showbiz between 2005 and 2010.

The name Mambokadzi could be the most prominent reminder of the dance group craze that swept through local showbiz between 2005 and 2010. BY GODWIN MUZARI

A number of dance groups, mainly hailing from Bulawayo, stormed the scene and had multitudes of followers across the country. Although there were many talented groups that included, Girls La Musica and Exotic Dancers, Mambokadzi was the most popular outfit for the better part of that period.

Founded by actress, dancer and choreographer Enisia Mashusha (formerly with Amavithikazi), Mambokadzi changed the face of the local dance scene in many ways.

Mambokadzi toured locally and regionally and made Mashusha a household name. However, with the fall of dance group popularity and rise of pole dancers, Mambokadzi folded in 2010.

Because of her passion for challenging tasks, Mashusha has taken the Mambokadzi brand into a completely different field, construction.

She formed Mambokadzi Construction Company late last year and is slowly penetrating the new market.

“I ventured into construction because I enjoy tackling challenging tasks. I teamed up with people with experience in the construction industry to form the new company,” said Mashusha.

“We have been busy since the company was formed and I am gaining experience in this new exciting field. At the moment we are doing light jobs. We are working on driveways, roof and floor tiles as well as precast walls. We also do painting, which I have mastered well.

“When I started Mambokadzi dance group, there were very few female dancers making it on big stages like we did. We inspired many other young women to take up dancing and within two years, there were various groups across the country taking after us.

“In the same way, I realised that there are few women in the construction business and decided to venture into this field. I know many other women will be inspired to pursue this challenging task if Mambokadzi Construction Company does well.”

Mashusha said she maintained the name Mambokadzi because of her attachment to this brand.

“Mambokadzi is a Shona word for queen and it means a lot to me. A queen has to be outstanding and always do the best. A queen cannot be associated with mediocrity and that is exactly my way of operation.”

She, however, said she would not quit arts completely because she is a natural artist.

“I fell in love with arts before anything else that I do now. I participated in various arts disciplines when I was at school before enrolling at Amakhosi Theatre for professional training.”

During her days at Amakhosi, Mashusha participated in a number of national productions. She majored in dance and theatre and toured regionally.

She has also done a number of film productions that include an outstanding role in a movie titled Sores of Emmanuel.

She has featured in a number of plays at Theatre in the Park and Harare International Festival of the Arts.

In 2009 Mashusha formed a band that released an album titled Ndotamba. However, the album was poorly marketed and the band did not do any live shows. Mashusha says she will soon revive the band.

career change: Mashusha has quit dancing to pursue a career in the construction industry

Related Topics