Talent on show
Local winner will be on SABC2
THERE was an atmosphere of excitement at Titi Jonas Hall over three days last week as hundreds of locals auditioned for SABC2’s talent contest, with a chance to win a R10000 prize and be featured on TV. Showville
After registration on Thursday, pre-auditions began. Hundreds were whittled down to 50 demonstrating their various talents, mostly singing, but there were also some poets.
The number was cut to four best finalists selected by SABC2 professional judges Lorcia Cooper and Morena Sefatsa.
On Friday, finalists were given a chance to be coached by these judges.
Power to select the winner was given to the audience as each person in the house voted for their preferred candidate.
In in the end it was Sheeba Noluvoyo Gola from Ndlovini who stole the show with her beautiful singing.
She walked away with R10 000 cash and a trophy.
Speaking to Talk of the Town after the show, she said it was a great feeling to have won.
“I am very excited, yho!,” she said. “Thanks to everyone who voted for me.”
When asked if she had enough time to rehearse and prepare for the show, she said “no” as she had not even intended to participate in it.
Gola was overwhelmed with joy and was speechless, struggling to articulate herself. Her friend Nonceba Bula had to intervene on her behalf.
Bula explained why Gola did not want to participate in the auditions.
“First of all she did not want to participate because she had been in auditions twice but did not win. Last year she was in Johannesburg performing in
Idols and early this year she was in Port Elizabeth, but neither outcome worked in her favour. I think she was beginning to lose confidence.
“When we arrived here I asked her to register and she refused. So I said: ‘Look if you don’t register our friendship ends today’,” Bula recalled.
That made Gola participate unwillingly, even though she gave her all in the process. Her previous experience of being on stage and understanding the audience seems to have played a vital role in winning the show. When she started her song she got the audience on its feet.
In the middle of her performance the audience seemed subdued. But towards the end of the song the entire audience was on its feet again, which might have sent a strong message to her competitors.
Aside from the cash prize, the winner and other three finalists will also receive exposure on SABC2, so they will be seen around the country.
It is also an opportunity for our local talent to be noticed by music promoters and may lead to opportunities in their future.
There is no date scheduled yet for the broadcast, but watch SABC2 for details.
I am very excited, yho! Thanks to everyone who voted for me