When dancing is a career

Dance has been part of the Malawian social fabric since time immemorial, but only a few have considered turning this art form into a career.

There are several local bands that employ choreography in their stage performances as a means of entertaining patrons. Just recently, the Black Missionaries introduced two dancers including Oliver, formerly of Zembani Band.

Talking about the Balaka-based outfit, there is one thing that stands out with Zembani Band when it comes to stage performance—how the dancers mesmerise the audience.

The spectacular story about dancing as a career rests in one of Zembani Band’s dancers Jane Khongwa.

For 15 years and counting, Jane has been with the band, but her dancing antics remain on point while she keeps getting better with time. Her gyrating moves leave many in awe as her waist wiggles as if it is hinged on a highly flexible coil.

But how did it all begin?

“This started when I was in school; I liked dancing chioda at home. It was way back in 1999 when I joined Zembani Band as a dancer and that is how I got into this career,” she tells Society in an interview.

Jane narrates how she found herself at one of Malawi’s oldest bands.

“Zembani came to Salima for a show and they asked people to join them on stage for a dance contest. I won and the band immediately offered me job. However, I was still at school doing Form Two, as such my parents could not allow me join the band right away.

“Then years later, Zembani came to Salima again. Surprisingly, they recognised me and invited me on stage where I won another dance competition. When I was asked as to what I want the band to do for me, I innocently said I want to work with Zembani. And that is how I passed the job interview,” she said.

At that time, Jane found Emma Masauko as Zembani’s lead dancer.

When Masauko left, Jane carried on with the dancing with other ladies like Fanny, Bianca, Maggie and now she is with Khumbo Msiska, another thrilling dancer.

But that decision 15 years ago to take dancing seriously, resulted in a career for Jane, a choice that has made her see places that many dream of.

Beaming with a toothy smile, Jane says: “I have been to Mozambique, Zambia, South Africa and UK just to mention some.”

So, every Tuesday and Wednesday, Zembani dancers meet in Balaka for rehearsals where they come up with dance moves for the week’s performance, according to Jane.

The dancer, who has a three-year-old son, Listard, with her husband Harold Kachepatsonga who works with an NGO Maphunziro, says she owes her success to patience.

The versatile dancer also pays tribute to her husband for his patience.

“He is very understanding about the nature of my job and how demanding it is,” she said.

She adds: “In Malawi people look at us dancers as prostitutes, a thing which pains me most. Uhule ndi mtima wamunthu. When I am on stage, I do my job to entertain fans, but when you find me home, I am a different person, I am Listard’s mum.

“It’s high time Malawians moved with time and started respecting what local artists do other than getting busy with what artists in America, Nigeria do and praise them while castigating what fellow Malawians do, even calling them prostitutes. What do you want us to do then for a living? Let us develop our nation through arts abale,” she pleads, an array of emotions playing on her face.

But with the nature of her job, how does she deal with stereotypes that are normally thrown at women?

“This is work and I told myself never to let anybody wear me down. If I follow what people say, honestly I would not be here. Many have called me all sorts of names, but I don’t care because this is my bread and butter,” she explains.

Despite her career being coupled with such negative moments, she said her family has always been supportive.

“My husband is a very understanding man and he does not have any problem with my career. So are my brothers and sisters. Dancing is like writing and acting and it is a well-paying career and from this I have supported my family and I have made investments,” she narrates.

Jane has built a house in Salima, her home village and is building other houses in Balaka. And with savings from her career, she runs a shop in Balaka.

“I have a shop in Balaka town where I sell clothes, kitchenware and electronics such as fridges, televisions and solar sets. As such, I frequently travel to South Africa to get the stuff for my customers,” she said.

Throughout her career, Jane, who went up to Form Four and is planning on studying music in future, has two memorable gigs.

“My first performance in the United Kingdom is one of my most memorable experiences, it was awesome. The other, though sad, was when Lucius Banda was in prison it was very hard to be on stage without him,” she says.

One of Jane’s secrets that many may not believe is that despite being hyper and outgoing person, she neither drinks nor smokes.

She explains: “Because I have dreadlocks and with my wild dancing some people think I smoke …Honestly, I don’t smoke or drink and probably this has helped me succeed in my career.”

For now, Jane’s eyes are fixated on dancing till all her energies drop.

“My heart belongs to Zembani and dancing. And so I will dance and die on stage,” she affirmed.

Born 29 years ago to a former retired army officer, Jane hails from Chenyama Village, T/A Kalonga in Salima.