adminSimbarashe Mutizwa Showbiz Reporter
NINE performers from Bulawayo have been shortlisted for the Starbrite talent show quarter-finals to be held at Reps Theatre in Harare next week.The competition, which dates back to the 1980s, is aired on ZBCtv on Sundays. It is similar to South Africa’s Got Talent and aims to identify untapped talent in Zimbabwe.
The shortlisted nine performers managed to shrug off competition from the 100 who were also part of the talent search and will now join 59 other individuals and groups in the show’s various categories. Other performers who made the quarter-finals are mainly from Harare with a few from Gweru, Masvingo and Marondera.
Kundai Muzambindo, Fadzai Rukwaza and Nomathemba Ncube were shortlisted for the singing category while Solitaire Ncube will represent the city in the poetry category.
Future Dube and Mwezi Explosion will compete in the dancing category while Wushu Display will compete in the Special Display category. Vilakazi Arts and Thandazani group will compete in the traditional dance category.
Starbrite director and producer Barney Mpariwa said the shortlisted contestants had secured spots for the quarter-finals at a boot camp held last month in Banket.
“During boot camp, the finalists experienced the most stringent vocal and physical training to prepare them for the daily rigorous, demanding and competitive environment they are about to enter,” said Mpariwa.
He added that the tasks at boot camp were not limited to singing and dancing as contestants were put through different tasks including voice coaching, team building, games, group competitions and swimming.
The remaining 68 finalists will now go for a three- day boot camp next week for supervision and creativity assignments ahead of the finale.
“The first day will be dedicated to 80s music while contestants will be asked to choose songs from Dorothy Masuka and Stella Chiweshe’s music for performances on the second day.
“The final day will see contestants having performances of their own choice,” he said.
Mpariwa said from the quarter-finals, 10 singers, five traditional dancers/groups, five junior stars, and three people/groups for Zim dancehall would be selected to compete at the finals.
He said they were impressed with the quality of performers they had this year.
“This year we have witnessed a high level of competition from the contestants as they are doing their best to impress,” Mpariwa said.
Last year’s show was won by Trust Kumbirai Makurumure from Harare.
Online Reporter