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Sipepisiwe Moyo, [email protected]

THE Pumula Junction Dance Crew, consisting of twelve dynamic members, is a Pantsula dance ensemble hailing from Pumula, Bulawayo. Established in 2014 by the visionary artistic director, Gamelihle Thabo Thwala, the troupe is renowned for their mastery in the traditional Loxion Pantsula jive and Contemporary Township dance styles.

With a rich portfolio of performances, they have graced various national events, including weddings, local arts festivals, and corporate gatherings. Despite their success, the crew has encountered significant hurdles, chiefly the lack of recognition for Pantsula dance within the arts industry, often not being taken as seriously as other art forms.

“When you talk about Pantsula people think of thieves and junk, and even if we are given a space to perform we are being paid less than traditional groups which is very discouraging, we are also faced with a problem of not having a sponsor to help us when we are implementing projects in schools and communities,” said Gamelihle Thwala.

Despite the challenges of securing sponsorship, the Pumula Junction Dance Crew is forging ahead with three ambitious programmes that promise to blend art with advocacy. The group’s founder has highlighted their commitment to these initiatives, which aim to engage communities and foster awareness on critical issues.

The first programme, titled “The Cleaners,” is an innovative approach where the crew will use dance to highlight environmental concerns, including waste management, climate change, and disaster risk reduction. Additionally, they will address pressing social issues such as mental health, and the dangers of substance and drug abuse. This programme is not just a performance; it’s an educational campaign that promotes safe and sustainable communities in Bulawayo, with plans to expand to other cities across Zimbabwe.

Their second venture, the “School to School Dance Project,” will see the crew touring educational institutions. Here, they will not only exhibit their exceptional dance skills but also mentor the youth.

“While at that, we will have a dialogue on SRHR services, mental health issues, my body my future, from plan sessions, brother to brother sessions, and other sessions from the cleaners’ projects which relate to school,” he said.

Their third project, a series of one-on-one dance workshops designed to foster a closer connection between the dancers and their audience. The workshops will feature live sessions, accessible online, allowing for an interactive experience that transcends geographical boundaries.

“All these are the projects we will push but these will not stop us from performing in other functions where our attention is needed, so to all our followers we thank you and please keep supporting us like you have always done,” said Thwala.