One-on-one with Sandra Ndebele

Songstress-cum-dancer Sandra Ndebele has been off the radar for quite a long time. She wedded a year ago and has been nursing her second-born baby who is now nine months old. She recently performed at City Sports Bar and our StandardLife&Style reporter Silence Charumbira (SC) caught up with Sandra (SN). Below are some of the excerpts from the interview:

SC: How are you juggling between family and stage?

SN: Well I have been doing alright though I have not been as aggressive as before with the shows. The other thing is my youngest child is now nine months old and I can now pay more attention to the work. That has afforded me the chance to focus on my career fulltime.

SC: Tell us about the family.

SN: My family is quite particular about being in the media. They have made it a point that it is me that is in the papers, not them so I would rather not talk about my family.

SC: Is your husband still studying abroad?

SN: My husband is back in the country. He finished school and is now permanently based in Bulawayo. It is good to be married. It was our first anniversary on January 16 and the four of us are happy as a family.

There is so much joy in being a mother and breastfeeding in particular. It is no longer like Sandy the individual as I have to make my decisions with my family in mind.

I have to scrutinise the connotations and their feelings about whatever I do but as I said, I would rather stick to stuff that has nothing to do with my family.

SC: A few months ago, you mentioned that you are now focusing on grooming projects. What are the projects?

SN: I have always been grooming youngsters but this time around I am focusing on culture.

Looking at other countries and their musical and cultural dance we can see that Zimbabwe lags behind in as much as dance is concerned.

At festivals and awards ceremonies they engage one group of dancers that has to perform for all the live acts on the night. But this side it is either they use numerous groups or none at all.

So I am grooming a group called Intombi Zomqangala that will not be operating like the dance groups that we have already but will be doing cultural dances and other specific dances.  It is also aimed at empowering the girl child and offering variety.

SC: You mentioned dance groups, what is your take on these dance groups?

SN: As for dance groups many will agree that over 90% of dancers in the groups are from Bulawayo. To me that is a cause for celebration.

Some of them have done well but the problem always arises from moral issues. They have also failed to bring variety and you will find that their routines are the same.

Show with Beverly

SC: You have performed with Beverly who many have called the "sex angel" because of her erotic dances, how do you feel about it?

SN: Well, Beverly, I have never seen anything like that before I must say. We are different. The show was good and I am grateful for the support and I am likely coming back in February.

SC: Is there anything new that your fans should expect?

SN: I have finished working on my new CD titled No matter what. It will be released in early February and the major theme is meant for you journalists.

You stand accused of glorifying us at one time and the next you pull us down thereby leaving aspirants scared.