Applications are already coming in from musically-gifted Zimbabweans for the second season of one of Africa’s biggest televised talent searches, Old Mutual Amazing Voices.
Liz Dziva, publicity and public relations manager of MultiChoice Zimbabwe, said entry for applications opened on October 28, with huge interest among people keen to win the grand prize of US$100 000.
“This is a pan-African singing competition in which the search will be for talented, unsigned singing groups of four, six or eight from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Zimbabwe and South Africa, focused on the genres of gospel, pop or R n B,” she said.
Entrants’ video submissions will be reviewed by a team of experienced, in-country talent spotters and the groups selected to go forward to the next round in the competition will be invited to attend closed auditions in each of the participating countries during November and December. Two groups from each country will then be given the opportunity to represent their nation at the elimination phase, held in South Africa.
Leading to an exciting finale, the elimination process will whittle the selection down to three groups in the ultimate sing-off. Viewers in the general public will be encouraged to vote for their favourite group, helping them get a chance of winning the main prize and the title of Old Mutual Amazing Voices’ season two winners.
The full story of the season two talent search, filled with drama, excitement, passion and suspense, will be played out in the television series that will launch on DStv in March.
Based on feedback from the season one finalists in 2019, the next crop of talented contenders are in for a life-changing experience. Since returning to Kenya winner Wanavokali have been working hard on their debut album and report big thrilled about the doors opening and opportunities coming up for them.
Apart from being a musical growth experience, group member said Amazing Voices taught them many life skills, including how to manage their finances responsibly in a potentially destructive music business.
Ms Dziva said: “It’s a pan-African singing competition that not only builds ties across the continent, but also gives talented musical groups an opportunity to showcase their skills to a wide audience, receive mentorship from some of the best artists on the continent and stand a chance of winning US$100 000.”
“We in the MultiChoice family and all aspiring competitors are grateful to Old Mutual for this amazing opportunity and here’s hoping that a Zimbabwean group will do well in this year’s competition. Viewers must stand by for series of shows in 2021 that will be enjoyable and exciting.”
Musically-inspired groups in Zimbabwe are encouraged to enter the competition and submit a two-minute audition video before November 26.