By Alesha Capone
Hoppers Crossing performer Florence Shinanduku has released a song encouraging women to be strong and believe in themselves.
Ms Shinanduku, who migrated from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to Australia more than 10 years ago, said she could not speak English when she first arrived.
She said that learning a new language could be “a headache” but that she had succeeded in doing so.
“You just have to face it and push yourself, and you will get better,” she said.
Ms Shinanduku said listening to music lyrics had also helped her to learn English.
Ms Shinanduku said that in the DRC, she had spent seven years acting, singing and dancing with the National Theatre Company.
She also worked as a television presenter and producer for the national broadcaster, Radio Télévision Nationale Congolaise.
In Australia, she teaches and performs traditional Congolese dancing, and has also worked at La Mama Theatre.
Ms Shinanduku said her experiences in migrating from the DRC to Australia had inspired her latest song, Strong Woman.
Ms Shinanduku co-wrote the song with Michel Kroll, from the Universal School of Music in Point Cook.
“In this pandemic, I was down, then I thought, ‘I have to do something to empower women around me’,” Ms Shinanduku said.
“I wanted to be a role model for others.
“The meaning of the song is to be strong when others take advantage of your ideas.”
She has also recorded another song titled Sweep Corona, which she described as a “comedy song”.
Details: facebook.com/Mutuashi-DANCE-Florence-158620977825697/
