From street kid to TV sensationaï¿½ï¿½

Chik Aljoy is on course to win South Africaa��s Got Talent. Born in Bulawayo at Mpilo Hospital in 1996, his government name is Aljoy Anesu Chikowo.

I first met him three years ago after I watched him perform a one-man theatre piece in Nguboyenja. They young man had an amazing delivery and energy at the time.

I knew he had talent the minute I saw him a few months later at a comedy show trying his hand at the craft.

Down the line, he was at Ibumba Festival December 2015. Wow, he had changed into a man in a few months, I loved his performance. Unfortunately he left for SA only to resurface in the past few weeks on eTVa�?s hit show South Africaa��s Got Talent, he even got a golden buzzer from DJ Fresh.

Unknown to many, this young man who is only 20 has not had it easy. He almost comes to tears when he talks about how he ended up on the streets as a kid.

So moving is his story that I want to meet Potato, another street kid who introduced him to comedy. They would sit around card board fires all night making jokes to pass time. Even when an NGO took him home, the streets were his home sweet home, thata��s how he left for South Africa to live with his uncle and take up drama lessons. His is a story like no other, allow me to introduce you to the first ventriloquist in Zimbabwe.

A ventriloquist is an entertainer who can make their voice appear to come from somewhere else, typically a dummy of a person or animal.

His calling came after watching YouTube videos of Jeff Dunham. He then started rehearsing and trying to perfect the art.

About 21 000 people audition for SAa��s Got Talent yearly on average, of those only three have so far received the golden buzzer.

I can only count about five people in this city who can sing, dance, act and have two extra talents for the go. Chik had become the backbone of Khaya Arts and would have sold internationally.

Change of plans, now hea��s riding the ventriloquist boat. Talking Arts hopes he wins the competitions. Thank you for flying the countrya��s flag high!

In related news because I have seen it in many platforms this week. I will talk about the application process at Intwasa and how programming happens under normal circumstances.

A call is put out beginning of the year, which closes in April or May. A panel which does not include me or Raisedon Baya sits to choose possible acts for the festival, depending on quality of the festivals direction for that year.

Maybe before going any further, the application form clearly states ONLY SUCCESFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED. And to be honest applying does not always mean one will get the job. It is our wish as a festival that everyone in this city gets a chance to showcase their talent. Sometimes, time is a factor and at times resources are a bigger factor. The festival is open to new ideas and suggestions. Until next week, be safea��