Simbarashe Norman Fulukia aka Simba Dzowa – together with his brother Tendai Zuze “Apostel” Fulukia – founded the Simba Arts in 1997, an organisation with both local and international roots.
They have collaborated with artists such as Serge Beynaud (Côte d’Ivoire), Victor Kunonga, Sherika Sherard, John Pfumojena “Falsetto”, Wedande, Hope Masike, and have partnered with Lions of Zimbabwe, Jibilika Trust, Mophatho Dance Theater (Botswana), Matata (Kenya), Destreet (Uganda), Ubuntu Arts, Sharon Eyal & Gai Behar( Israel) Ina Christel Johannessen (Norway) Hofesh Shechter (Israel) Rui Horta (Portugal), Christopher Arouni (Sweden/Norway) among others.
As an artist who has broken boundaries from the dusty streets of Mbare where traditional or folk dance and street theatre were the order of the day, Simba believes that he is the testimony of Psalm 113:7, which says that the Creator lifts up the poor from the dirt and raises up the needy from the garbage pile.
He describes himself as a humble servant of mother and father nature, a father of three gorgeous souls and a husband to Empress Caroline Rufaro Tedi.
From August 2006 to 2009, he went to Norway where he studied dance arts courtesy of an exchange programme between Dance Foundation Course (Zimbabwe) and Oslo National Academy of Arts (Norway).
From 2009 to 2015, he worked as a professional dancer and was the only Zimbabwean dance athlete in the European dance scene, dancing for Carte Blanche, the Norwegian National Contemporary Dance Company based in Bergen.
“Since then, I have become the executive director and producer of two ubuntu driven festivals; educator, choreographer, dancer, social worker, entrepreneur, curator, artistic director/creator of the Norwegian-based Vestland Danseteater, the first regional dance theatre company particularly for people of colour. I am also the Chief Creative Director of the New Zimbabwe Danseteater of Mosi Oa Tunya based in Mbare and Victoria Falls. In 2020, I coined “iNf9t flo”, a dance technique that is the signature way of being for both our dance companies. I am also the co-founder of Nsai Dansesenter, the first professional dance studio in Mbare,” he said.
Simba is also an Ubuntu cultural ambassador and workshop facilitator who has worked with children, teens, disadvantaged youth and adults.
Explaining his inspiration, Simba said he and his brother Zuze were born to serve, spread the gospel of ubuntu, provide opportunities, empower communities, create jobs out of dance, art, and ultimately ensure that dance contributes to community development through young people.
“Most people don’t even believe that an organisation such as Simba Arts exists for them to learn, share and develop to the best of their abilities guided with the spirit of Ubuntu. Vanhu they are so diluted these days that they cannot tell the difference between what is right and wrong. People are too busy to care and their physical and mental state is numb, people need healing. People need the light because we’re living in darkness and it’s not a coincidence. This was meant to be, but most people do not know how to navigate in this dark cloud thus Simba Arts. We’re here to guide, we’re here to listen, share,” he said.
Simba Arts is an organisation, and a dream brought out of the love for arts and artists. At the core of its existence is the push for a society where cultural and creative industries are reckoned for their contributions to the economy, reducing inequalities and fostering unity in society.
”Arts contribute to the economy, just like any sector (maybe even more than others) but in return, the arts are the most overlooked and undercared for industry/sector. This must stop! It is a fact that without the arts, we will be a broken society, and throughout history, the arts in their unique capacity have been used as a vehicle for social change. During the lockdown, where did society turn to in the absence of old routines? Everyone was and continues to milk from the arts. So, what other proof do you want Zimbabwe to take the arts seriously? Why are we not empowering youths, creating mass and sustainable employment out of the arts? Why are we not redefining and reinventing our small but big arts industry so that we can produce and export more quality artistic products not kungo hakira hakira zvinhu zvinoitwa nevamwe like we’re anaGamuchirai.” said Simba.
He added that Simba Arts is a safe and friendly platform for marginalised/minority and oppressed people with a passion for the arts, dancers in particular.
“As much as we are art-centric, we are also an organisation ready to serve in any field we see fit for our skills. This is what makes Simba Arts unique, we are not bound by a set of man-made restrictions. We are for the community and the community is for us.”
Individuals and parties (artists and non-artists) interested in joining Simba Arts can visit their website www.simbaarts.org or offices at Nsai Dansesenter, 1 Chimutenga Close, Mbare. They can also call Tendai at +263 773 737341, or send an email of interest to simbaarts@gmail.com.
