Alexander Mhlanga, the founder of Amawumbo dance company was born in Bulawayo ,Zimbabwe and as he grew in the high density suburb and was raised from a family of three ,and moved to stay with her grand mother in a township called Njube ,where he did his academic levels. He did his primary level at Helemu primary school 7 years and he also proceeded to secondary where he went to Mpopoma high school 4 years.
In 1995 he took up performing arts on fulltime basis and worked with one of the most influential group at that time called Young Warriors theatre company and it is where he learnt more skills and toured extensively locally performing in school and halls and private functions and the group was led by Norman Takawira , the director of Zimbabwe arts projects.
In 1997 after two year at the young warriors he left and was one of the founder members of Umkhathi theatre works a unique group that was formed and they performed for many functions and they represented Zimbabwe ,in South Africa ,Durban aids conference, Africa youth festival.
He was also working with groups and individuals from local to all over the world and worked e.g. home ,Botswana, Canada ,Sweden ,USA , England and Scotland to mention but a few. Hadima -obone a group from Botswana was working with him and stayed in Francis town for three months and involving himself he leant more and got more experienced as he passed through the rough the tough and good times of the performing world.
In year 2000 he formed Amawumbo Dance Company was then called Izintombi cultural dance ensemble as one of the best work was to work with young people and ever since ,he is the active artistic co-ordinator. His productions are very unique blended with energetic and tantalising foot works which has led the group to greater heights, as they have won in many competitions.

In year 2001 he was invited in Sweden ,Göteborg known as Gothenburg in english where he stayed six months and where he work with groups and individuals in exchange programmes such africa gruppen of sweden gothenburg schools and he returned back home in Zimbabwe in july same year, he was selected to represent in the Zimbabwean dance troupe where he played lead roles in the productions in the SADCdance festival in september.
In year 2002 hed toured back in Sweden and England for eight months and went back home ,during his return back hed has done a project for the company for their next productions .many groups have ask for his expectise to short pieces and choreograhy for productions :Albert nyathi and imbongi ,Iyasa ,Mpopoma high school ,Hloseni and Amawiwi.And also composed a theme song for Radio dialogue studios.
Alexander Mhlanga is now based in Sweden ,where he does his artistic endavours

Last Updated: December 21, 2003
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