AN exquisite ambiance characterised the inaugural edition of the Zimbabwe Got Talent concert that was held on Friday at a fully packed 7 Arts Theatre in Avondale, Harare.
WINSTONE ANTONIO OWN CORRESPONDENT About 15 acts entertained the audiences at the memorable event that was full of glitz and glamour, but it was 21-year-old Divine Chitubura who outclassed them to become the overall winner of the competition walking away $3 000 richer.
Dzivarasekwa-based dance group — The Incredibles — came second, pocketing $1 500 and a trophy, while 18-year-old dancer Devante Sanganza came in third and received $800.
Soul Finders, an eight-member dance group from Mabvuku- Tafara, emerged the Public Choice Award winners and where all presented with smart cellphones from ZTE.
Chitubura’s manager Courage Ndekwende told NewsDay that part of the money would be used to record their debut album and setting up a studio. “Although we have plans to set up our own studio, the larger part of the money won by Chitubura would be used to look after his siblings having lost their mother in a horrific commuter omnibus accident,” Ndekwende said.
“Winning the top prize has come as a boost for us as we are set to record our debut album during the third week of November which was overdue because of lack of funds.”
Shadreck Nyakonga the leader of The Incredibles said, “With this cash, we want to start a business that would keep on generating the funds as we have no sponsors.
Speaking to NewsDay on the sidelines of the show, the event’s spokesperson, Rumbidzai Matinanga, said they were happy with the success of the event. “The talent search concert really proved that Zimbabweans have a lot of talent, but some of the talent is lying idle because of lack of exposure,” Matinanga said.
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“It was a fun-filled and exciting show in its first season and we are promising a much bigger and better event in the following years.”
According to Matinanga the winners of the concert will get the opportunity to showcase their talent in China at different cultural exchange programmes sharing the stage with some Chinese artistes.
Among the guests at the event were Environment, Water and Climate minister Saviour Kasukuwere, socialite Pokello Nare, Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo and Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Lin Lin.
Zimbabwe Got Talent is a project of Chinese Federation of Zimbabwe (CFZ) in partnership with ZLG aimed at exposing various talents of different ethnic communities in the country.
The concert was held in three phases with about 500 contestants from across the country showcasing different talents in dancing, poetry, music and magic.
