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Bongani Ndlovu Entertainment Correspondent
THE country’s biggest talent search competition, Starbrite will this year include participants from Amakhosi’s Dreams to Fame and other arts clubs at the Bulawayo auditions.In an interview, Starbrite director Barney Mpariwa said for the Bulawayo auditions they had roped in Amakhosi Cultural Centre among others.
He was quick to mention that this did not mean other contestants who are not affiliated to clubs were not eligible to participate.
“We are partnering with anyone and everyone who is in the business of discovering talent. This year, places like Amakhosi will be roped in, but this doesn’t mean that those who are not affiliated or part of arts clubs are out of the competition. It is open to everyone,” said Mpariwa.
He said they wanted to reach a wider audience hence the roping in of arts clubs. Amakhosi programmes director Thulani Mbambo said those who participated in the Dreams to Fame competition will participate in the Starbrite Bulawayo audition.
“Dreams to Fame contestants will be given an opportunity to be in the regional competition for Starbrite. We saw it fit for the young talented artistes also to participate there under Amakhosi,” said Mbambo.
He said the Golden Awards were not forgotten as they were waiting for the National Art Merit Awards (Nama) to be held and then the awards will be held thereafter. “The awards are being held back because of the Namas. However most probably on February 22 the Golden Awards will be held,” said Mbambo.
Unlike in the past where auditions would be held town by town, the unheralded stars would be from different clubs where their talent has been nurtured.
The show, an equivalent to South African and American Idols, seeks to identify, nurture as well as groom up-and-coming artistes.
Starbrite talent search auditions were held in April last year in Bulawayo, with close to 10,000 individuals from all over the country registering.
Online Reporter