Award-winning Nigerian dancer and choreographer, Kafayat Shafau, popularly often known as Kaffy, has opened up about her troublesome childhood, revealing how her dad and mom went from riches to rags.
Talking on a current episode of the Sincere Bunch Podcast, the 45-year-old dance icon shared how her as soon as prosperous household misplaced the whole lot, forcing her to develop up in hardship regardless of being born into luxurious.
Kaffy mentioned her dad and mom, Alhaji Shafau and Alhaja Alake Lakonko, have been as soon as among the many high-profile socialites of Lagos, describing them as being “within the league of MKO Abiola,” the late billionaire politician. Based on her, their dwelling steadily hosted legendary musicians akin to King Sunny Ade, Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, and Ebenezer Obey on the top of their wealth.
“My dad and mom have been within the league of MKO Abiola. They have been the primary folks to spray {dollars} at events. You’d hear Sunny Ade and Barrister sing their praises. These folks got here to our home each weekend,” she recounted.
However issues took a drastic flip, resulting in {financial} collapse. Her father later relocated to London, the place he took up work as a cleaner to outlive.
Kaffy revealed that the sudden fall from grace had a profound impact on her and her siblings, as they endured starvation and deprivation.
“There have been occasions when there was no meals for weeks and months. Starvation is a mentor. I drank garri for seven months with out break, and there was no Kwashiorkor,” she mentioned.
She additionally disclosed that the strain and trauma deeply affected her mom, who generally suffered psychotic breaks and projected her frustrations onto her youngsters.
“She would have psychotic breaks and put all of us within the centre of the home, saying, ‘You’re the purpose why… your future ought to begin offering for me since you’re the rationale I’m not wherever in my life,’” she revealed.
Regardless of these struggles, Kaffy has gone on to construct an illustrious profession as considered one of Nigeria’s most profitable dancers and choreographers, inspiring many together with her resilience and groundbreaking work within the leisure trade.
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