The Sunday News
Simba Jemwa, Sunday News Correspondent
EXOTIC dancer, Darlene Mlotshwa is a single mother of two who lives in Nkulumane where she claims neighbours have found out about her profession and have been trolling her.
Mlotshwa said she is tired of taking the way women talk about her after they found out she works at a local establishment as an exotic dancer or stripper.
exotic dancer
“Let’s not forget that you have daughters and you don’t know what the future holds for them.
It’s not like I woke up one morning and said to my parents I want to be a stripper when I grow up.
Life’s challenges put me on that stage and for as long as I can, I will dance for those men so that I can look after my children.
“And yes! I love being touched by your men!” she told Sunday Life, adding that it wasn’t her problem that men loved her the most when she performed.
She said women in her neighbourhood should stop acting like she dragged their men out of bed to watch her perform on stage.
This comes after news filtered through in the neighbourhood that she had been seen performing on stage and she has been ripped apart by women who live close to her lodgings.
The 25-year-old said she has been an exotic dancer since August last year, but she was not getting much in tips until she spiced up her show by becoming more daring with her performances.
“I didn’t hesitate.
I trust to add a little more to my routine because my tips were always much less than those of my colleagues who were more daring,” said Darlene.
But as her fame increased, so did her hate mail.
She said when she dances, she allows her fans to touch her wherever they want.
“Women must stop thinking they’re entitled to talk to me as they please.
As an entertainer, I have to make people happy.
Those men are the reason why I make so much money, so all those jealous women must just relax.
Tomorrow life may change for the worst for you and you’d have no choice but to do certain things.”
The dancer, who also claims to have musical interests, said her musical inspiration comes from Kelly Khumalo, the South African super star singer known for her risqué on-stage live performances.
Kelly Khumalo
“I am hoping to get connected to artistes and break onto the music scene.
I am inspired by Kelly Khumalo who has been maligned for how she works the stage.
I am hoping to emulate her and eventually leave the stripping business,” she said.
She advises women to stop judging her because they don’t know why she does this.
“I’m raising two children and I need to put food on the table.”
The dancer’s boyfriend, Trust Mnkandla (35), popularly known as Bra T by his peers, said: “You need to fully support your woman, no matter what she does.”
