Buffalo City Metro came top at this year’s Battle of the Municipalities (BoM) Talent Search held at the East London ICC at the weekend.
Thokozani Fekade, 25, of Ndevana outside King William’s Town was overall winner, scooping a recording deal and R50000 cash.
The talent search is the brainchild of Sydney Qoqonga and is supported by the SA Local Government Association (Salga), endorsed by Vodacom and driven by Nissan with the Daily Dispatch as media sponsor.
The event involves eight municipalities, including the Buffalo City and Nelson Mandela Bay metros, and was launched in March.
Speaking to the Dispatch, Fekade said he was very happy he had won the competition.
He was followed by Andile Tsako of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro. Peaceful Lesoetsa from Chris Hani District came third.
“I am very happy. I always loved music and it was my dream that one day I would record an album. Now that it is really happening, I do not believe it,” he said.
Fekade said his love for music started in 2002. “I was more into rap music I did not know that I could sing gospel,” he said.
“I compose my own music and I am ready to go to the studio,” he said.
Sandiswa Mahlangabeza of Salga said the association would lobby for support from municipalities to take the contest forward.
“As Salga we saw how hungry our youth from municipalities are for this,” she said.
She added that Salga’s provincial executive saw potential in the project.
“We are elated to congratulate Thokozani Fekade from Buffalo City Metro for winning the competition last night ,” she said.
Qoqonga said the main objective of the project was to develop and assist as many talented musicians as possible, particularly those who come from the most disadvantaged areas.
“This programme will leave most of the participants with relevant industry skills and well-produced products that will ensure better access to more opportunities,” he said.
Qoqonga added that throughout the BoM Talent Search, judges had been governed by the “BoM five star qualities”, which were among the items featured on their score sheets.
These qualities are talent, originality, creativity, knowledge, and commercial viability.
Fekade will record his debut album early next year under BoM Records.
Thokozani Fekade does BCM proud with win
Thokozani Fekade, 25, of Ndevana outside King William’s Town was overall winner, scooping a recording deal and R50000 cash.
The talent search is the brainchild of Sydney Qoqonga and is supported by the SA Local Government Association (Salga), endorsed by Vodacom and driven by Nissan with the Daily Dispatch as media sponsor.
The event involves eight municipalities, including the Buffalo City and Nelson Mandela Bay metros, and was launched in March.
Speaking to the Dispatch, Fekade said he was very happy he had won the competition.
He was followed by Andile Tsako of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro. Peaceful Lesoetsa from Chris Hani District came third.
“I am very happy. I always loved music and it was my dream that one day I would record an album. Now that it is really happening, I do not believe it,” he said.
Fekade said his love for music started in 2002. “I was more into rap music I did not know that I could sing gospel,” he said.
“I compose my own music and I am ready to go to the studio,” he said.
Sandiswa Mahlangabeza of Salga said the association would lobby for support from municipalities to take the contest forward.
“As Salga we saw how hungry our youth from municipalities are for this,” she said.
She added that Salga’s provincial executive saw potential in the project.
“We are elated to congratulate Thokozani Fekade from Buffalo City Metro for winning the competition last night ,” she said.
Qoqonga said the main objective of the project was to develop and assist as many talented musicians as possible, particularly those who come from the most disadvantaged areas.
“This programme will leave most of the participants with relevant industry skills and well-produced products that will ensure better access to more opportunities,” he said.
Qoqonga added that throughout the BoM Talent Search, judges had been governed by the “BoM five star qualities”, which were among the items featured on their score sheets.
These qualities are talent, originality, creativity, knowledge, and commercial viability.
Fekade will record his debut album early next year under BoM Records.
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