adminBrenda Phiri Entertainment Reporter
BOStv last week presented holiday packages to winners of their Top 40 Video of the Year competition that was run on New Year’s Day.
For coming out first, songstress Pah Chihera was awarded an all-expenses-paid trip for two to Orange Groove Hotel in Chinhoyi and Goldstone Rhino Hotel in Shamva.
She also walked away with an iBho Astro mobile phone.
Jah Prayzah, whose songs “Mwanasikana” and “Tsviriyo” came second and fourth respectively, got a trip for two to Orange Groove Hotel.
Shinsoman’s song “Mawayawaya” was on third place and earned him a holiday for two at the Goldstone Rhino Hotel.
A lucky viewer, Gertrude Jacket also won an all-expenses-paid trip for two to Goldstone Rhino Hotel for correctly predicting the top five.
The prize ceremony that was graced by the station’s staff and sponsors, Goldstone Rhino Hotel, Carex, and Orange Groove Hotel saw the stakeholders taking turns to reaffirm their commitment in promoting local content.
BOStv chairman Nyasha Muzavazi expressed gratitude for the unwavering support from stakeholders.
“I thank all of you for the sponsorship you continue to give in making our dream a reality. As a station, we are committed to promoting local artistes in a way that reflects the people’s culture,” he said.
The sponsors on the other hand applauded the station, while encouraging the growth of a brand that is proudly Zimbabwean.
“We are a new organisation just like BOStv and we share the same vision of uplifting our own people and products.
“As we grow, we want to work with the station and the artistes in order to make the Zimbabwean brand visible on the international market,” said the Goldstone Rhino Hotel manager, Natasha Pari.
Her sentiments were echoed by Carex representative, Guy Chingaya.
He encouraged established companies to invest in the entertainment sector.
“Sponsoring the efforts of our artistes enables them to be innovative and make local entertainment industry competitive and viable,” he said.
Speaking on the sidelines of the prize giving ceremony, BOStv vice chairman Ephraim Chawoneke revealed plans for the launch of a separate gospel channel.
He said the initiative was a result of the overwhelming gospel content the station had been receiving from locals.
“We have been broadcasting this material for some time and the response is quiet positive.
“However, the local producers have over the months given us more gospel content than we had anticipated, hence the decision to have a separate channel for it. We will probably finalise it by the third quarter of the year,” he said.
He added that the gospel material will not be limited to gospel ceremonies but will accommodate different personalities; speakers, singers and people giving testimonies.
On the issue of expansion, Chawoneke hinted that a different sports channel would most likely be on the agenda soon.
“The migration of gospel to a separate channel will create room for sports material. With time, if we get overwhelmed, maybe we will consider a different channel for that too,” he said.
Online Reporter