How a traditional dance troupe is turning competition winnings into sustainable livelihoods
By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka | Masvingo
The Jeketera Renyaungwe Bira dance group isn’t just spinning and stomping their way to victory – they’re dancing straight into entrepreneurship.
Fresh off their triumph at the Chibuku Neshamwari provincial finals in Masvingo, the 15-member collective is channeling their prize money into an unexpected venture: a poultry farm.
Rhythm Meets Entrepreneurship
Group leader Prince Mutsauki (30) can barely contain his excitement: “This win isn’t just about trophies – it’s about feeding our families and securing our future.”
The group plans to invest their earnings in chicken rearing, proving traditional artists can be both cultural custodians and savvy business minds.
A Dance With Destiny
Last weekend’s victory saw Jeketera Renyaungwe outshine Dzimbadzemabwe (Majukwa performers) and Darerimwe (another Bira group) with their electrifying routine.
Dzimbadzemabwe
“Our stamina and flexibility come from years of practice – we don’t just dance, we tell ancestral stories through movement,” Mutsauki explains.
The Bira Magic
This isn’t just any dance:
🎭 Rooted in Shona tradition, Bira ceremonies summon ancestral guidance
💃 Dancers take turns “rocking the floor” in intense, trance-like performances
🏆 The group debuted in 2023 and has been perfecting their craft since
From Setback to Comeback
After failing to clinch the national title last year, the troupe has:
🔄 Revamped their choreography
🧘 Intensified endurance training
💡 Developed new costume designs
Thanking Their Supporters
Mutsauki gave shoutouts to:
🍺 Delta Beverages (Chibuku brand)
🎨 National Arts Council of Zimbabwe
🕺 Zimbabwe National Traditional Dance Association
Why This Matters
At a time when many artists struggle financially, Jeketera Renyaungwe is rewriting the script – proving cultural preservation can be both spiritually fulfilling and economically viable.
As they prepare for nationals, one thing’s clear: whether on stage or in the poultry yard, this group knows how to turn movement into momentum.
Next Stop: Nationals!
Can they convert their provincial win into national glory? One thing’s certain – they’ve already won by showing how tradition can hatch modern opportunities.
#DollarsAndDance #BiraToBusiness #ChibukuStars
Darerimwe
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