UNITED KINGDOM-BASED Zimbabwean actress and choreographer Enisia Mashusha says artistes play a pivotal role in society because their works are therapeutic as they enhance wellness through healing of the mind, body and soul.
Mental health challenges in the African context have widely been interpreted from a socio-cultural perspective whereby in the past it was seen as a curse. In the Zimbabwean context, the issue of mental health remains heavily stigmatised.
Speaking to NewsDay Life & Style yesterday, Mashusha, famed for yesteryear Mambokadzi dance group, said artistes were agents of healing because their works promote mental health wellness.
“Art is therapy, it is part of wellness, actually without music or entertainment life can be miserable. By listening to music, dancing, singing, playing instruments, or composing music, one can get inner peace,” she told NewsDay Life & Style.
“Music and dance are forms of therapy which can help induce positive mental health in a person because art (affects mood, changing it from) sadness to happiness (or vice versa, for example). Music and dance as a form of therapy can be helpful to individuals psychologically, emotionally, physically, spiritually, cognitively and socially.”
She said dance also helped to reduce muscle tension and induced good mental health because movement in the form of dance could assist to relieve tension and stress.
In an effort to use art to promote wellness, Mashusha is set to launch the Mambokadzi Wellness Festival on September 30 in Leeds.
“Since I introduced the Mambokadzi Journey to Wellness programme on November 30, 2022, I have been reflecting on how important it is for women like us to embark on a journey to wellness. Sometimes, the timing needs to align with the right moment, and I truly believe that God’s timing is always the best,” she noted.
Mashusha said the Mambokadzi Journey to Wellness was not just about physical changes, but enhancing one’s mood, mindset, and empowering people to attain and sustain a healthy weight.
“During the challenging times of lockdown, I found myself struggling with weight gain, a common experience for many of us. I remember joining a fitness group on Facebook back in 2020 to combat this, but somewhere along the way, my motivation waned,” she explained.
“The result, I noticed the weight piling on without any positive changes happening. This affected not only my physical health, but also my overall well-being. As an artist with over three decades of experience, I used to be incredibly active and fit, but this shift started to take a toll on my daily life.”
She continued: “The extra weight led me to withdraw from social interactions, and my outgoing nature began to fade. I faced the struggle of mood swings and anxiety, a burden that often accompanies weight gain.
“It is disheartening that even my childhood friends, Consolata Ngwenya and Zimazile Mguni could not comprehend the reasons behind my social isolation.”
Mashusha said the power of a supportive community was paramount when one is striving for wellness.
“The good news is that Mambokadzi Wellness is now thriving, and I am thrilled that Consolata Ngwenya, Zimazile Mguni and Tongesai Gumbo have joined the journey and they are our fitness judges for this Season 1 of Mambokadzi Journey to Wellness,” she said.
“We understand that checking in on one another, providing motivation, and offering unwavering support can make all the difference. Without these elements, it is easy to lose track of self-care.
“I have also connected with other women from Yorkshire, United Kingdom, and our group has grown to 59. Together, we commit to regular workouts, whether it is achieving 10 000 steps through walking or engaging in aerobics and strength training at least three to four times a week.”
Mashusha said she has swapped driving for walking to work, which not only improves her heart health, but also contributes to her overall physical well-being.
“In our united group, I have witnessed incredible determination and hard work. Women like Sandra Hoto, Mary Maguduru, Anna Chitambala, Eva Maliko, Carole Kalonga, Spiwe Guwera, Josephine Kashiri, Chinyere Anunobi, and our 70-year-old Gogo Rachel, among others, are surpassing their goals and achieving more than 10 000 steps daily, and breaking records. It is testament to the fact that good health and happiness are within everyone’s reach.
“Women out there are embracing this journey and experiencing transformation, it is a reminder that it is never too late to embark on your own path to wellness. Your well-being matters, and you absolutely deserve a life of vitality and happiness,” she added.
