Dancing for social change

Wriggling down their waists energetically and enthusiastically in fascinating dance routines, was a powerful thrill which engulfed the entire mood of Thyolo’s Nagwengwere Primary School ground where Applied Development Communications and Training Services (Adecots) was launching the ‘Moyo Ndi Mpamba: Ndabaitsa, Mwabaitsa?’ Covid -19 vaccination campaign recently.

This was an impressive performance of t h e talented cultural dance troupe called Trinity from Nansadi in the tea-growing district of Thyolo.

The cul tural dance troupe was one of the activities billed for social mobilisation aimed at influencing people’s pos i t ive beha v iour s to fight myths and m i s c o n c e p t i o n s surrounding Covid -19.

Just like other artistic performances, Trinity Cultural Dance Troupe was top-notch in its delivery. They performed d i v e r s e t r a d i t i o n a l dance arrays, including gymnastics, to excite and educate the audience. From beni to tchopa, mganda to chintali, the troupe was a marvel to watch.

The more the group increased the tempo of dance, with some energised beating of local drums, the more the exhilarated audience drew closer to the main stage of the roadshow van to catch their electrifying performance.

Their amazing show attracted thundering c h e e r s f r o m t h e crowd which included distinguished guests from Thyolo District Health Office (DHO) and The Access Challenge, funders of the campaign.

A t o n e p o i n t , enthusiastic Traditional Authority Khwethemule took to the dancefloor to showcase his dance antics which were as good as old wine.

His humble moves excited many, including senior officials from Adecots, The Access Challenge and Thyolo DHO who later joined him to dance with one of the women’s traditional dance groups.

A s t h e Tr i n i t y Cultural Dance Troupe’s performance reached the climax, with a happily-charged audience gluing their eyes to the dancing kings and queens, its leader Henderson Billy, interjected.

He said: “We are here because of Covid-19. We have all been invited by Adecots and Thyolo DHO to remind each other that Covid-19 is still around us. So, we need to fight it by changing our behaviours, and getting the vaccine to be protected.”

B i l l y u r g e d t h e gathering to take the message on Covid-19 seriously, saying Trinity Cultural Dance Troupe had joined forces with Adecots and Thyolo DHO to create awareness on the outbreak.

“We are not only dancing for entertainment but, also, to educate one another about the great impact of Covid-19 among us. Therefore, let us take responsibility to protect ourselves and our loved ones from Covid-19 by embracing health-seeking behaviours such a s demystifying myths and receiving the vaccine,” said Billy.

According to Billy, Trinity Cultural Dance Troupe began its trade over 14 years ago and has been working with several organisations to create awareness on issues that affect people such as health emergencies.

In 2010, the troupe toured Algeria where it took part in a cultural festival.

“The mission driving us is to contribute towards Malawi’s transformation through t r a d i t i o n a l dance,” said Billy.

Thyolo District health promotion officer Fanuel Makina hailed Adecots for integrating diverse strategies in combating Covid-19, saying the approach attracted and reached diverse audiences with key messages on Covid-19 as wel l as increased uptake of the vaccine.

“Those living in rural areas no longer consider Covid-19 as a serious issue which demands their attention due to misinformation and religious beliefs. But the partnership with Adecots and The Access Challenge has helped to improve awareness o n C o v i d – 1 9 a n d encourage other people to receive the vaccine through roadshows and community engagement meetings,” said Makina, adding that the campaign mobilised over 14 000 people of which over 7 000 received the Covid-19 vaccine in Thyolo district.

Nkhawazatha Musowa is Adecots’ projects manager for Thyolo district and said the organisation took a robust r isk communica t ion a n d c o m m u n i t y engagement approach which integrated arts and culture to implement the Covid-19 vaccination campaign in conjunction with Thyolo DHO.

Dubbed ‘Moyo Ndi Mpamba: Ndabaitsa, Mwa b a i t s a ? ’ , t h e campaign dwelt much on community-engagement and mobilisation aimed at influencing positive behaviour change to increase the uptake of Covid-19 vaccine thereby d e b u n k i n g m y t h s and misconceptions surrounding it.