Mohalenyane Phakela

VODACOM Lesotho (VCL) yesterday launched the fifth installment of its talent search competition at Maseru Mall.

The competition is aimed at unearthing and promoting music talent in the country. According to VCL Marketing Specialist Seema Tsotetsi, cash prizes, recording with an international record label, international video and live performance bookings were up for grabs in the competition.

“This year’s installment not only provides a platform to showcase local talent but also aims at uplifting local acts to international levels and develop Lesotho’s entertainment industry,” he said.

“The talent search is not only aimed at showcasing the talent of Basotho, but also to support the careers of budding artists who have always lacked the right platform to develop their talents.”

The competition is structured into four categories; Music, Dance, Male DJ and Female DJ, with three winners to emerge from each of the groupings.

The top three winners in each category will walk away with M70 000, M40 000 and M20 000 respectively. The first prize winner in the music category will also get a recording deal for a single with South African record label Kalawa Jazzmee, while the first prize winner in the dance category will also get a Video Feature with the same label.

For the first prize winner in the DJ category, VCL has lined up a Booking/Performance Deal at a Kalawa Jazzmee gig.

“This year, Vodacom Superstars promises not only to excite Lesotho but to keep everyone engaged as talents are exposed and doors are opened to both local and international platforms.”

To register for the Vodacom Superstars competition, aspiring participants must SMS their name, talent category and zone code to 54933. For Maseru, the zone code is SS1, North (Leribe) SS2 and South (Mafeteng SS3) with the registration process, which began yesterday, closing on 22 June 2016.

Auditions for the competition would be held in one district per region with the dates and locations yet to be announced.

Said Mr Tsotetsi: “We will hold auditions in the three zones after which some of the contestants would be eliminated based on the public’s preferences. Each vote will cost M1 until we are left with the top three in each category who will then compete in the final in October.”

He said the judges for the Music category were Dallas T, Mapule and L-Tore, for Dance it was Sophia, Teboho Rantsoabe and Liatile Mohale while the DJs category was manned by Agent K, DJ Thabbie and DJ Senate.

Speaking on behalf of the judges, DJ Thabbie said their main criteria would be originality.

“Originality, creativity and not being all over the place are the key attributes we will be looking for. Do not try to imitate what you see on television but perform what you think will entertain the fans and impress the judges,” he said.