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Ellen Mlangeni

Danisa Masuku
Leadership squabbles that rocked popular Bulawayo female group, Thandanani Women Ensemble have taken a nasty twist following revelations that the “ousted” director, Ellen Mlangeni, has barred remaining members from using the group’s name.

Mlangeni who has been with the group since its inception in 1982, was, last month, accused of failing to manage the group expressed displeasure on how she was elbowed out of the group.

The dancer and poet who has been responsible for choreographing the group’s dance routines and composing songs said she was disheartened to have left the group.

“We coined the group name (Thandanani) in 1982 and it has become an identity to me. Many people identify me with that name as I’ve done a lot of performances for more than three decades.

“It has become a legacy and treasure to me, this is why I’m pained to lose it just like that,” Mlangeni said.

As a result, she is now taking a legal action to bar the remaining members from using the name Thandanani, until they resolve their differences.

Thandanani Women’s Ensemble

“I’m seeking legal advice on how I can stop other members from using my legacy-Thandanani. After consultation with lawyers, I will file papers to stop the use of the name.”

Spokesperson of the group, Florence Sithole, however vowed they would continue using the name.

“She’s not the one who came up with the name. As such, she can’t stop us from using it,” Sithole said.

“The name was founded by other members who passed the baton to us and as such, so she can’t claim that it belongs to her. The group is not ‘dead’ so she should leave us with the name.”

This is not the first time that Thandanani Women’s Ensemble have split over leadership squabbles. One of their directors, Muchaneta Dube who was caught in the leadership storm in 2012, went on to form her own group – Iluba Lemvelo.