Dreams to fame fails to kick off

Ntombiyolwandle Ndlovu
THE much anticipated annual Dreams to Fame talent search competition has failed to take off because of the work currently going on at the studios of the Skies FM radio station housed at Amakhosi Cultural Centre.
The competition that has seen over 20 000 youths take part annually was expected to run from September until December.
Amakhosi programmes manager Thulani Mbambo said that they were forced to put the programme on hold, after realising that the completion of Skies FM radio station would affect the programme.

“The talent search competition has been put on hold because we are partnering with Skies FM and the studio in which most of our activities are held has not been completed. For example, through the live call ins and the audience selecting the winners that can only be made possible in the studio,” said Mbambo.

He added that once work on the studio has been completed, the competition would be held.
“In January next year the talent search programme will resume at Amakhosi. Hopefully the studio will be ready for our programmes. Most of the work in scouting talent had been done in schools and youth centres. What is left requires a studio so that it can be executed properly. Once the studio is done everything will go as it was planned before,” said Mbambo.

He said they hoped to lure more participants to the competition by rewarding them for elevating the programme to dizzying heights.

“The competition has grown big in terms of numbers as there are more participants registered to take part in the competition. We hope to draw in more participants in the coming additions. We have more prizes that will be won by our participants, as we have a company sponsoring the show with the prizes. With Skies Metro FM on board, fans will be able to call in and select winners who will also have lucrative recording deals,” said Mbambo.

Dreams to Fame competition has been viewed as one of the platforms that add significant value to the growth of the arts industry in Zimbabwe.

It has seen artistes such as Albert Nyathi handpick artistes with talent in various arts genres.
Dreams to Fame competition was incepted in 1999 and has been held annually.

Last year, about 2 000 performers registered to participate and showcase their talent on Dreams to Fame.