The secret life of bouncers

More brawn than brain. That is the unflattering description many people give to nightclub bouncers and bodyguards.

But who are these guys? How do they end up in the profession? Do they only ever have fun when they are breaking the bones of an unfortunate drunk who was not smart enough to have skipped that last drink?

For starters, they are all, to a man, fitness enthusiasts, which is hardly surprising.

Of course, some take their gym sessions more seriously than others. Some watch their diet better than their peers. Some go for hand-to-hand combat training to improve their performance while others rely on their bulk and intimidating faces.

But all of them are just like you and me.

They have families, they have social lives, they joke and laugh, they suffer heartbreaks and rejection. They are regular Joes.

But only outside work hours.

The Sunday Mail Leisure spent the past week talking to these meaty men to find out how they kill time in between shifts, how they manage negative perceptions about them and their jobs, and sundry other things.

These muscle men have differing philosophies on issues to do with booze, leisure, food and crowd management tactics.

Below is what some of them told us. Prepare for some surprises.

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Munyaradzi Jackson Musarurwa

I used to train extensively throughout the day but that changed a couple of years ago. I have to balance my time with various business activities that I do during the day. The number of days in the gym has not changed though.

It is only the hours that I have reduced to two per day starting from around 5.30pm to around 7.30pm. But my day is almost like that of any other person.

After working out in the morning, I go around hustling in search of the Benjamins. I need money to maintain the decent life that I have. Over the years I have managed to buy two houses, one in Hatfield and the other one in Highfield.

Add, to that, I have a farm in Beatrice and I’m a proud owner of five cars among them a Jeep, the latest version, Audi TT, a Mark II and a twin-cab. Three of them are branded “Jackson”.

Developing bulging muscles and subsequently maintaining the shape requires dedication on the part of the individual. I started building muscles 15 years ago and I have not stopped.

Because of training I rarely suffer from any illnesses or diseases like sugar diabetes, flu or common colds since my immune system is strong.

I changed my approach with regards to weights in 2005. I used to do body building but I now focus on power lifting. I stopped body building because it is so taxing and it is mostly for competition. It requires more time and one to be super-disciplined.

There is a specific diet and way of life to follow that many struggle with. I don’t have that stress anymore though the discipline has long been engraved in me.

I can afford to eat whatever I want since I have the resources but I’m very selective when it comes to food. I don’t just consume anything.

My basic food includes beans in the morning, sadza and beef/chicken or rice and beef/chicken including butternuts in the afternoon. I can also have the same at night but I prefer light meals.

Also, being an outgoing person, I take alcohol with my friends on my free time like weekends – a privilege that body builders don’t have. However, you pay a price afterwards. I do rigorous exercise the following morning to wash out toxins.

If you are not in good shape you often lose mental focus and in turn you are not productive. An athlete is mentally fit.

I should hasten to stress that we don’t train to victimise people. Those that train mostly in backyards to beat people are thugs. If anything, I sometimes use my strength to help stop fights in public places, not for payment but just for the sake of peace.

Above all, I find training better than wasting money and time on booze and prostitution. Apart from training, I like broadening my mind through reading. I’m a holder of a university degree in Business Studies and an Executive Diploma in Business Leadership.

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Daphel “Chief” Chiweshe (Suluman Chimbetu’s security chief)

My life has evolved around security ever since I joined the Orchestra Dendera Kings in 1999 under the late Simon “Chopper” Chimbetu.

Some aspects of my life have changed over the years. We have since shifted from the physical security system that characterised the Chopper era to a more gentle but solid approach.

This is because most people are no longer interested in violence compared to the yesteryear rowdy elements that craved skirmishes. It is drunk people that often cause problems these days. Besides the crowd, we also needed to be physically fit to deal with the heavy equipment that was used back in the day but technology has come in as a saviour.

As a result, I no longer go through most of the body building activities I used to do under Chopper. I used to train five days a week, sometimes even before shows, but I have since reduced the days to at most twice a week.

And the training regime now involves little or no equipment. I do more of jogging.

When I’m not at work I’m usually home watching soccer. I don’t usually like going into public places during my free time.

Food-wise, I don’t like meat, even white meat. I prefer our traditional dishes that include relishes like muboora, derere, nyevhe and beans.

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Abraham Kwenda Banda (Dynamos FC head of security)

Body builders are disciplined but sometimes zvinotombo kubatawo and you end up beating people.

This is normal; even Jesus once beat people with a whip atsamwa. In some instances we use brain but sometimes you need to use muscle to bring order.

I got into body building after being inspired by my brother. He had a good life that I admired. Out of muscles, he always had money and people frequently bought him beer.

In the last 16 years, I have moved from backyard gym to professional training institutions. I wake up at 5am and at 8am I join the Dembare training.

During weekends I’m relaxed at home with my family though I also enjoy going to popular watering holes for drinks.

When I’m not home or imbibing, I spend the day recruiting potential monya’s for training.

Hard work has paid for me. I’m now the head of security at Dynamos and I’m also a recognised security detail for big institutions like Zanu-PF, Government and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority. I’m often part of the security team for visiting international artistes and big events in the country.

My greatest achievement is the fact that I have managed to train myself not to be too happy or too sad. Balance is key.

But most importantly, vanhu havafane kukujairira because it will make your work difficult. The issue of finance has, however, been a challenge in our life. We are supposed to have a special diet but because things are tough we end up eating anything edible.

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Mugove “Mugo” Muhambi (fitness trainer/karateka)

I start with weightlifting around 5am. Then from 6.30am to around 8.30am I do karate sessions.

First my interest was in boxing when l was around 8-years-old. I then later moved on to karate when I was 10 years old (1990), doing grade six. The tough training regime that I have created for myself resulted in me coming second last year in a body building contest.

Also, I have been national champion from 2000 to 2006, winning the Champions of Champions of Zimbabwe title. I have represented Zimbabwe at the World Championships in Japan, Russia and Hungary several times and I came out number eight in Hungary in 2009.

My workout requires a lot of fuel. Accordingly I make sure that I spoil myself heavily through eating a lot of junk food. My metabolism is fast and the junk food does not affect me in any way since I’m always training.

I also take alcohol but not that frequently.

When I’m not working out, I will be doing other activities like acting. I had acting roles in “Studio 263” (as part of Tom Mbambo’s security), “Cobra” and a feature film “Fighting Zone”. Moreover, I’m also part of a number of commercials and I’m considered for professional security jobs.

Being a fitness enthusiast, I spend most of my time at the gym doing personal training or instructing.

I’m a qualified karate, zumba and personal trainer. But I don’t lose focus of my duties at home. I often take my children to school and also go to church regularly.

Body building has helped instill discipline in me. I was once short tempered and enjoyed fighting. That has since changed.

I have been assaulted three times and on all occasions I walked away without retaliating.