The quest to find the top gospel singer in the first ever Battle of the Municipalities Gospel Music Talent Search started on a high note in Ginsberg this past weekend.
Hopefuls delivered heartwrenching and powerful sounds, making it hard for the judges to decide.
The talent search was launched last week in partnership with the South African Local Government Association (Salga) and veteran musicians.
Founder Sydney Qoqonga said the plan was to get municipalities from all over the province involved and ultimately to crown one winner.
Qoqonga said although they had to change the venue at the last minute for the Buffalo City Metro auditions, aspiring artists still came in droves to audition.
“The auditions were initially scheduled to take place at the Orient Theatre. However, we were informed that the facility was being revamped,” he said.
The metro will be given a second chance as another round of auditions is planned for East London to make up for the sudden change in venue.
“We do not have a final date yet for when the second round will take place but it will definitely happen,” said Qoqonga.
Just under 100 people from the metro auditioned at Ginsberg community hall.
The judges present included Sizwe Zako – who discovered multi-awardwinning gospel star Rebecca Malope – Lubabalo Sibindlana from TruFM and Blaq Maci from Umhlobo Wenene FM.
Maci said the BOM guidelines made it easier to choose the finalists.
“We know what we are looking for based on the guidelines – artists that are original, commercially viable and of course talented,” said Maci.
Zako said he was already impressed by the first auditions.
“There were a number of good ones that I can already see will naturally go all the way,” said Zako.
The overall winner will walk away with a recording deal and R50000 in cash.
The auditions are in Butterworth this coming weekend.
They will also take place in Alfred Nzo, Chris Hani, Joe Gqabi, OR Tambo, Sarah Baartman and Nelson Mandela Bay Metro.
To register for auditions, potential participants can send an SMS to 3266 with their name, surname and ID number, plus their town or city. — arethal@dispatch.co.za
Singers on form in gospel contest
Hopefuls delivered heartwrenching and powerful sounds, making it hard for the judges to decide.
The talent search was launched last week in partnership with the South African Local Government Association (Salga) and veteran musicians.
Founder Sydney Qoqonga said the plan was to get municipalities from all over the province involved and ultimately to crown one winner.
Qoqonga said although they had to change the venue at the last minute for the Buffalo City Metro auditions, aspiring artists still came in droves to audition.
“The auditions were initially scheduled to take place at the Orient Theatre. However, we were informed that the facility was being revamped,” he said.
The metro will be given a second chance as another round of auditions is planned for East London to make up for the sudden change in venue.
“We do not have a final date yet for when the second round will take place but it will definitely happen,” said Qoqonga.
Just under 100 people from the metro auditioned at Ginsberg community hall.
The judges present included Sizwe Zako – who discovered multi-awardwinning gospel star Rebecca Malope – Lubabalo Sibindlana from TruFM and Blaq Maci from Umhlobo Wenene FM.
Maci said the BOM guidelines made it easier to choose the finalists.
“We know what we are looking for based on the guidelines – artists that are original, commercially viable and of course talented,” said Maci.
Zako said he was already impressed by the first auditions.
“There were a number of good ones that I can already see will naturally go all the way,” said Zako.
The overall winner will walk away with a recording deal and R50000 in cash.
The auditions are in Butterworth this coming weekend.
They will also take place in Alfred Nzo, Chris Hani, Joe Gqabi, OR Tambo, Sarah Baartman and Nelson Mandela Bay Metro.
To register for auditions, potential participants can send an SMS to 3266 with their name, surname and ID number, plus their town or city. — arethal@dispatch.co.za
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