In the heart of Mbarara, the second largest city in Uganda is where the founder of Ashiraf Dance Academy, Atugonza Ashiraf lives and works as a dancer, choreographer and a dance instructor. A man of few words, he tells Yinka Olatunbosun about his career in dance and how young people can make the best out of dance.
Tell us a bit about yourself, where you were born and where you grew up.
I was born in Uganda. I run a dance academy that is in operation right now in Mbarara.
Are you a muslim?
My father is a muslim. But my mother is not.
How old are you?
I am 21.
When did you discover that you have a gift in dance?
When I was seven years in the village. I stayed in a small village. My aunties used to come for Christmas and organise some gatherings like competition among the kids around. Then, I won several times. That was when I discovered the talent. Later I joined some clubs in school. I decided to improve on it and later take it on as business.
After high school, you decided to pursue dance as a career. Does dance give so much money as music does?
In some countries, it does. But in Uganda, not yet. I am not in the main capital city. The income is very low and I am the only one with a dance studio in the city. So, I am trying to push it. In time, I hope it will improve.
One of the things that had helped dancers in recent times is the use of social media. how would you say that social media has helped to increase your popularity?
Social media is something that has pushed dance to another level. You can do something very small and it becomes huge when you post it on TikTok or Instagram. It goes viral. You can get potential clients in your inbox and people will start calling you even before they see your profile. It has really pushed us to where we cannot reach physically.
Ashiraf
It was recently that I saw the video of Ghetto kids on Britain’s Got Talent. I was amazed that they have been around for a long time but until they came on that platform that a lot of us outside Uganda got to know about them. I am wondering if dancers in Uganda meet somewhere or collaborate…
I have met them and their choreographer is like a sister to me. She does classes in Kampala. I went there and did a class. Sometimes I would go. We could do somethings together. Yes, we work together.
How did you feel when you saw them on that show and they got a golden buzzer? How did you feel as a Ugandan?
First of all, I was so proud of them. They were the first Ugandans to step on that stage. It was like me on that stage. The excitement ran through me as though I was on stage.
Why did you decide to step up a dance studio?
When I started dancing in my high school, I was in a crew. But one has to focus on oneself. That’s why I came up with the idea of a studio that is based in a community. Maybe they can get something from it. It is all about sharing ideas because I like teaching.
How are people enrolled in that school? Do they pay or is it free?
They pay fees for the classes. I have a team of five dance instructors that work with me. they also go to gyms and do classes with me. Now, we are spreading the love round the city.
I wonder if dance is something one can learn or someone must have a gift of dance before venturing into it. What do you think?
For me, a dancer is made not born. It is not a gift from God. You can start now and become a good dancer.
But some people have tried to learn dance and still didn’t get it. Is it that they have not met the right teacher or they just can’t dance?
Ashiraf
It is all about passion and believing in yourself. No one is perfect. I cannot dance like Chris Brown or someone else but I have my own moves. You just have to find yours and bring it out to the community.
What kind of dance are you into? Is it purely African or is it a blend of western and African?
We do mostly afrofusion. We do afro, dancehall, amapiano and yes, it is a fusion of African beats.
What production or project are you working on at the moment?
There is an event called Heart of A Dancer. The dancers in the community would come together. We are gathering dancers and bring out the best in them.
Is it the first of its kind or you have done it before?
This is the second edition.
How did the pandemic affect you as a dancer?
First, I couldn’t do my classes because we were not allowed to gather. Also, I couldn’t go for any show. It is my part time job. There was no means of income by that time. It affected me financially and also mentally. We could only share what we would do on social media. I wasn’t okay.
How do you feel now?
Right now, I am very happy because you can do normal classes and we do shows. Everything is going on well as it should.
What can you say about putting dance as part of the curriculum for children in school in Africa? People are able to study theatre and music but dance is still tucked under drama and most people don’t see it as an area of study where they can expand knowledge. Do you think dance is something that people could study in school- maybe at the college or university?
I think dance is a part of life and you can study it. In the next five years, dance would have grown more. It is not just for fun. You can learn it as a business. The modern schools have adopted the whole idea of dance. The students like the idea and they want to learn further or take it on in the future. I think they should consider it as other subject.
What would you say to encourage other young people in Africa who want to dance or who are already in dance but are still unsure of the future?
The best advice I can give them is to work hard because the industry is not easy especially in Africa. You have to work hard and plan yourself, market your content, believe in yourself. Someone will not call you for a show if you don’t believe in yourself. Work for it. At the end of it all, you have to pray because everything works with prayers.
