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Tawanda Matanhire Lifestyle Reporter
Many people in Zimbabwe have embraced fitness training over the years and the trade is fast becoming a norm for urban dwellers who are conscious of their health. Zumba is fitness training which encompasses dance and aerobics. It started as a mistake after the founder Beto Perez from Colombia forgot his Latin music and improvised combining dancing and aerobics in 2001.

Currently there are over 10 million Zumba instructors around the world.

People who prioritise their health and well-being are taking up Zumba to stay in good shape across the country which has brought business for Zororai Nhira who is a fitness trainer.

Born 33 years ago in Chitungwiza, Nhira attended several schools including Mberi Primary School and Zengeza 3 High School.

It was unfortunate for the young man who lost his mother when he was six years old and his father when he was in Form Four.

He could not pursue academic education because of financial constrains under the care of his grandmother, but this did not stop the young man from going after his dreams.

“I was just seated at home doing nothing when a door I never thought would take me this far opened,” Nhira said.

“I liked to dance since childhood and weddings from my church showed me a new direction of my life which I am continually grateful about,” Nhira added.

Nhira took advantage of his God-given talent, dancing, which made him take up dance choreography in the year 2000.

Since then Nhira has never looked back and took advantage of the vast opportunities that came along with the trade, taking part in the planning of weddings as well as other functions.

Choreographing weddings has been the bigger part of his career getting not less than 25 weddings each year.

Spreading his influence to get clients through word of mouth and getting referrals from other clients, Nhira has managed to sustain himself through wedding choreography.

The business has its challenges as dealing with different people with different tastes has always been hard to tackle.

Although Nhira is in the business for the passion he needs food on the table at the end of the day and some clients do not part with their hard-earned cash easily.

He has had countless clients who either delay in payments or not paying at all.

This has led to a transition in his trade from wedding choreography to Zumba Fitness class training.

With Zumba getting popular in the country Nhira has taken the trade to greater heights, working with individuals as a personal trainer and also getting contracts from corporate organisations.

Ella Mudimu who is now late helped Nhira to move into Zumba fitness class training by providing the funds for training in South Africa where he acquired a certificate and licence which is recognised worldwide by Zumba Educational Specialists (ZES).

She also did a lot by introducing him to different people in the trade.

After the certification Nhira got exposed to several gyms across Harare through Isabel Tariro Mlotshwa who is a pioneer of Zumba instructors in the country.

This gave Nhira a better appreciation of Zumba as compared to wedding choreography.

“After I got exposed to some gyms and other spots I got to appreciate Zumba better which led me to make a shift to focus on Zumba training classes,” Nhira said.

“There are more financial rewards, business networking amongst the clients themselves, travelling a lot, daily fun and a lot more.”

Nhira has toured several places in Zimbabwe as a Zumba instructor working with different organisations including Ngezi Zimplats, Midlands State University, Bindura University, Zimpapers, Bon Marche and Old Mutual to mention just a few.

“My clients are the best asserts I have so I make sure they get the value for their money by giving them the best service that I possibly can. I always want to leave them satisfied,” he added.

Involving himself in social service for less privileged people in the society has also been part of Nhira’s initiatives as he has worked together with Food Aid Organisation and Price Waterhouse Coopers to assist in such services.

Growing up with Christian morals taught to him by his father, Nhira has continued to serve in Christ Embassy Church where he has also helped in several dance and musicians in-house.

“I really appreciate the gift that God gave me and I will forever be grateful that he showed me a direction of my life,” Nhira said.

He however vows to take up his education further as is looking forward to studying ACE personal training.

“I know I will not get to 70 years doing Zumba dancing so I want to develop my scope so that I am able to do other things even after I retire from this trade,” Nhira said.

Nhira also intends to be a nutritionist to compliment his career. Above all he also intends to own his dancing studio.