Meet the dancing robot gracing Safaricom Chapa Dimba around the country. This lively entertainer brings a unique flair to the tournaments as he moves around dancing, fist bumping fans and generally spreading good vibes. He doesn’t talk much given that he’s up there and all covered up, but he sparks curiosity and conversation wherever goes.
The dancing robot who prefers to be anonymous at work is a living example of growth and success through talent. As a beneficiary of the broader Chapa Dimba program, he relates heavily with the young players and is elated to see them come and lay foundations for their dreams. He loves football and is honoured to be right in the heart of discovery and nurturing.
How did he get into chapa Dimba?
He presented his unique talent and was taken in. This may sound simple, but the uniqueness of his talent speaks volumes. He added a twist to the age-old craft that is stilt walking and stood out from the crowd both literally and figuratively. A combination of talent, stamina, strong muscular build, and the fact that he is not afraid of heights make him really good at what he does.
What motivated him to do what he does?
He stayed on campus for far longer than he should have due to financial constraints, and it is during those years that he discovered and nurtured his talent. He took time to monetize but he finally did, and things are shaping up for him. He currently works for different companies mostly for activations, but Chapa Dimba is his first major gig.
Looking ahead, he envisions improving his craft as he bags more clients. For instance, he plans to incorporate speakers, LED lights and mini screens into his costumes for added dazzle and potential advertising opportunities. Yes, he could be a walking LED advert! As much as his helmet is made with pathways for fresh air, he also plans to introduce light weight oxygen masks.
He has different costumes for different clients, including one for night time that includes lights. For the purpose of Chapa Dimba for instance, he incorporated bits of green and red in line with Safaricom’s brand colours. His kits are made locally and as physics graduate, he is able to give informed input into how they are crafted with lightweight fiber for the outer ensemble and sturdy metal for the stilts.
The Dancing Robot’s work is not without hurdles. For one, at about 12kgs, his costume is cumbersome to pack and move around with. He also works among crowds and sometimes it is challenging for him to maneuver given his size. Most of all, balancing on stilts for prolonged periods of time is no mean feat despite his good muscle control. That said, he employs very strict safety measures for himself and those around him. His eyes are always on ground, he does not carry anyone, and he is very careful not to step on anything that could topple him. He makes sure there’s a safe distance between him and people around, especially children.
His secret to enduring long days in costume? Strategically timed breaks every two to three hours, leveraging on halftimes and in between games. Though his work may seem as simple as just walking around and dancing, it is physically demanding and for this he sticks to good nutrition for energy, hydration, and fitness for muscle strength.
The dancing robot is a graduate of pure physics with engineering option and to young graduates who are disillusioned by the shortage of white collar jobs, he says work with what you have as you pursue other opportunities. The job field is wider now and even talent like dancing or football will earn you money.
“Solve someone’s problem then solve your own” – The dancing robot.
He is very grateful to Safaricom not only for contracting him to utilize his talent, but also for giving him a bird’s eye view of the evolution of football in the country.
