TUMBUKA!!!

This is a contemorary dance group with deep Zimbabwean roots and this year they headline the Tvind new years concert on the 24th of January

HISTORY OF THE COMPANY

In 1982, Alyson Vigoriti, then chairman of the National Ballet of Zimbabwe had a vision of starting a ballet program for under privileged youngsters living in Harare’s high density suburbs. The Vana Vanotamba project was made possible by money raised from the Bolshoi Tour to Zimbabwe and boosted by a donation from Garth Fagan’s Bucket Theatre performances in Harare.

The success of this project led, in 1990, to the formation of a three-year Dance Foundation Course directed by Viv and Chris Hamblin. The Hamblins’ had spent six months teaching and performing in the high-density areas as part of Vana Vanotamba. Fifteen of the most potentially talented dancers were selected for the first course. Six of these students went on to become founder members of Tumbuka Dance Company.

Founder, Artistic Director, Neville Campbell, first came to Zimbabwe in 1991 with the support of the British Council. He was so impressed with the energy and commitment of the student dancers that he proposed a company be formed, and indicated that he would be prepared to come to Zimbabwe to head the company.

Since it’s launch in November 1992, Tumbuka Dance Company, as Zimbabwe’s only full time professional modern dance company, has achieved both national and international recognition.

Tumbuka, a Shona word meaning ‘to bloom or to flower’, provided the inspiration for the company which, less than a year after its formation, received the Johannesburg Dance Umbrella Festival’s first standing ovation in its five year history.

Present Artistic Director, Rena Robinson-Steiner, has nurtured the company’s choreographic skills and has produced a repertoire that continues to delight audiences with the power and intense physicality that is Tumbuka.

VISION

To become an internationally recognised dance company with a uniquely Zimbabwean artistic voice and which explores the multi-dimensions of contemporary dance.

MISSION STATEMENT

To perform with excellence to the widest possible audience and to retain Tumbuka’s uniquely contemporary Zimbabwean image on the international dance circuit.

You can find out more about Tumbuka on there website: www.tumbuka.co.zw

And if you would like to get more information about the Tvind New Years Concert, which is being held on the 24th of January 2004 you can visit: www.tvindskunstforening.dk  (in English and Danish)