BY POLISWA PLAATJIE
Afro-soul singer Odwa Nokwali and jazz singer Qhawekazi Giyose came up tops at the first Eastern Cape Music Talent Search grand finale that took place at the weekend.
The two shared first place and will split the main R20 000 prize, and each get an opportunity to record their albums at the Eastern Cape Audio Visual Centre (ECAVC) Records label.
The talent search was launched in February last year by sport, recreation, arts and culture MEC Pemmy Majodina and implemented by the ECAVC.
The ECAVC, together with a panel of judges, travelled around the province hosting auditions for music talent in the various districts.
This past weekend saw the top 30 finalists consisting of afro soul, jazz and R&B singers from all over the province coming together for the grand finale.
The top ten were then chosen, and then the top five, whose names were announced on Saturday afternoon.
The judges included Umhlobo Wenene FM music compiler Gwiba Nkonki, DJ Minty from Tru FM, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s Tim O’Reilly and ECAVC director Sy Ntuli.
Ntuli said the judges had a tough time deciding on the winner on Sunday night.
“When we say the Eastern Cape has talent we are not exaggerating.
“This talent search has confirmed that to us. The judges had a hard time deciding the winner, hence we had a tie between Odwa and Qhawekazi,” Ntuli said.
First runner-up was Nelson Mandela Bay’s Nomabotwe Mtimkulu, who walked away with a R10000 cash prize and an extended play recording deal.
The second runner-up was Kwande Cakaza, who won R5000 and a single recording deal.
Nokwali said he did not expect to make it to the top five, let alone be announced as joint-winner.
“The competition was tight.
“All the guys in the top 30 were good.
“I was hoping to make it to the top 10 but I didn’t think that I would win.
“My favourite in the top five was Qhawekazi, I really thought she was going to win,” he said.
The Ngcobo-born singer said he had learned a lot from the workshops that they had attended over the weekend leading up to the grand finale.
“We had artists such as Msaki and Nduduzo sharing with us and it was inspiring.
“This was not just a music competition but we were equipped as musicians,” he said.
Ntuli said their aim was to ensure that every artist gained something from the search.
“We are also glad about the focus on development and empowerment of artists through workshops that were conducted by music industry experts and top local independent artists.
“This made all 30 finalists go back home as winners,” he added.
The two winners will attend a number of events with the ECAVC later in the year.
“They will perform at the National Arts Festival next week and they will also go to some events that we have lined up,” Ntuli said. — poliswap@dispatch.co.za
Two stars win new EC talent event
Afro-soul singer Odwa Nokwali and jazz singer Qhawekazi Giyose came up tops at the first Eastern Cape Music Talent Search grand finale that took place at the weekend.
The two shared first place and will split the main R20 000 prize, and each get an opportunity to record their albums at the Eastern Cape Audio Visual Centre (ECAVC) Records label.
The talent search was launched in February last year by sport, recreation, arts and culture MEC Pemmy Majodina and implemented by the ECAVC.
The ECAVC, together with a panel of judges, travelled around the province hosting auditions for music talent in the various districts.
This past weekend saw the top 30 finalists consisting of afro soul, jazz and R&B singers from all over the province coming together for the grand finale.
The top ten were then chosen, and then the top five, whose names were announced on Saturday afternoon.
The judges included Umhlobo Wenene FM music compiler Gwiba Nkonki, DJ Minty from Tru FM, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s Tim O’Reilly and ECAVC director Sy Ntuli.
Ntuli said the judges had a tough time deciding on the winner on Sunday night.
“When we say the Eastern Cape has talent we are not exaggerating.
“This talent search has confirmed that to us. The judges had a hard time deciding the winner, hence we had a tie between Odwa and Qhawekazi,” Ntuli said.
First runner-up was Nelson Mandela Bay’s Nomabotwe Mtimkulu, who walked away with a R10000 cash prize and an extended play recording deal.
The second runner-up was Kwande Cakaza, who won R5000 and a single recording deal.
Nokwali said he did not expect to make it to the top five, let alone be announced as joint-winner.
“The competition was tight.
“All the guys in the top 30 were good.
“I was hoping to make it to the top 10 but I didn’t think that I would win.
“My favourite in the top five was Qhawekazi, I really thought she was going to win,” he said.
The Ngcobo-born singer said he had learned a lot from the workshops that they had attended over the weekend leading up to the grand finale.
“We had artists such as Msaki and Nduduzo sharing with us and it was inspiring.
“This was not just a music competition but we were equipped as musicians,” he said.
Ntuli said their aim was to ensure that every artist gained something from the search.
“We are also glad about the focus on development and empowerment of artists through workshops that were conducted by music industry experts and top local independent artists.
“This made all 30 finalists go back home as winners,” he added.
The two winners will attend a number of events with the ECAVC later in the year.
“They will perform at the National Arts Festival next week and they will also go to some events that we have lined up,” Ntuli said. — poliswap@dispatch.co.za
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