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Valerie Mpundu, Youth Interactive Writer

Unheralded South Africa-based Zimbabwean dancer Sandifer Nyamande (25) is on cloud nine after being nominated for the Notable Africa Music Awards to be held in Ghana on November 16.

The NAMA 2024 is an annual event celebrating and rewarding African musicians for their outstanding achievements, serving as a platform to promote heritage of African culture while encouraging growth and development of African music industry.

Nyamande has been nominated in the Dancer of the Year, category.

Having battled out with 15 other contestants. Sandifer emerged a top three finalist, where he will compete with Almighty Network from Ghana and Incredible pages from Ghana.

In an interview, the dancer expressed joy for being recognised in Africa, despite having a low social media following.

“I started dancing at the age of nine in the streets of Glen Norah.

“I had no support nor anyone paying much attention to what I was doing. They just thought I was enjoying my childhood rhythmically,” he said.

“It was during the time dance evolved and ‘clurks’- a dance routine, came to the scene, that catapulted me to the sector popularity.

“I became a household name.”

Nyamande said he is not much of a social media fanatic but was surprised with the nomination.

“I am not so big on social media and this nomination came as a shock to me. I feel honoured knowing there are people out there watching and believing in me,” he said.

He said had enrolled into a dance school at 18.

‘Sandifer Soldier PO’, as he is known, acknowledged support of his family who late have believed in him.

He gave credit to his grandmother, whom he highlighted as his first loyal fan.

“My grandmother is my number one supporter. Her support has been quite amazing. She had my back to the point of my mom getting me into dance class. I was only 18 then,” he recalled.

Nyamande said now he is into krump dancing.

Krump is a dance style and music genre characterised by energetic and expressive movements, as well as aggressive presentation.

Despite this intensity, Krump is not a dance of violence or hatred, but rather a peaceful form of expression with a rich history and philosophy.

It is a street dance that has gained popularity for its sharp and fast movements.

“On the contrary, I am actually a loving, humble, caring and friendly person. I am a little complicated though, sometimes because of my background and the way I grew up,” he said.

However, the dancer highlighted lack of exposure on dance as an art genre.

He cited the need to bridge the gap so as to allow creatives to showcase and compete in the industry as well.  “Dancing is dominant in Zimbabwe but has not been fully explored. If only we as dancers could initiate workshops, battles and other competitions urging each other on.

“I would like to believe that can put us on the map and be known as other forms of art.

“Hats off to Plot Mhako for supporting local dancers.”

In South Africa Sandifer Soldier PO is under the Krump dancing community known as The Others and PO Fam Krump, whereas in Zimbabwe he is with BreakNation run by Streetlight.

Apart from dancing, he is a professional chef, one who at first glance you would never assume to be a dancer.

The dancer says he draws inspiration from various local and international dancers whom he reckons have set the stage for dancers around the world.