In 2018, in the historic city of Masvingo — home to the Great Zimbabwe ruins — a group of twelve young dreamers came together with nothing more than boundless passion, a love for movement, and a vision to share Zimbabwean culture with the world.
Today, that group, now known as Blackbird Dance Group, is rising like its namesake — poised to soar far beyond national borders.
What began as a humble gathering of friends — Ashley Banga, Charlotte Maregere, Elshaddai Mandizvidza, Panashe Vaiya, Divine Ruhonde, George Kundai Chimunhai, Eunice Sande, Darlington Ruhonde, Lisa Vambe, Joseph Chipadza, Dereck Shoshore, and Altino Foloko — has evolved into a cultural force.
Their mission is as clear as it is powerful: to preserve, celebrate, and project Zimbabwe’s dance traditions while giving the youth a creative escape from the shadows of drugs, violence, and hopelessness.
The road to recognition was not paved with glitter and applause.
In the early years, they battled financial shortages, performed in borrowed costumes, and rehearsed without proper equipment.
Competing against established troupes meant they had to offer more than skill — they needed a signature identity that fused tradition with innovation.
Their big break came in 2019, when their electrifying Heroes Day performance at Mucheke Stadium left the crowd breathless.
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The momentum carried them through a wave of victories: winning the Masvingo Talent Show in 2023, clinching the Masvingo Achievement Awards in 2024, and topping the National Dance Association Zimbabwe competitions.
But their greatest triumphs have been off the stage — mentoring children in schools, hosting community workshops, and using dance as a weapon against gender-based violence and substance abuse.
“For us, dance is not just performance,” says founding member Ashley Banga.
“It’s a lifeline. Every step we take is a step away from despair and a step toward pride in who we are.”
Now, Blackbird Dance Group is setting its sights on the global stage.
Plans for international tours, sustainable funding through workshops and sponsorships, and advanced mentorship programs are already in motion.
Their dream? To be recognised worldwide as ambassadors of Zimbabwean culture — carrying the rhythms of home to audiences who have never set foot in Africa.
In doing so, they follow in the footsteps of Zimbabwe’s global dance icons like IYASA, whose tours across Europe, Asia, and southern Africa have already put the country’s artistry on the map.
If their journey so far is any indication, Blackbird Dance Group won’t just join that list — they’ll leave a legacy of their own.
