Albert Nyathi talent search surpasses expectations

ALBERT Nyathi’s talent search competition has by far surpassed expectations, with at least more than 500 hopefuls gathering to try their luck at the recently held auditions at Msiteli High School in Mpopoma suburb.

ANTS is a rebranded Albert Nyathi Talent Search competition, which was initiated in 1998 at Mpopoma High School as Imbongi Arts Talent Search (IATS).

Contestants from four primary and 18 secondary schools registered for the competition, where half of them entered the poetry category.

Other categories which contested include dance, drama, visual arts, music, comedy and written poetry.

However, the event organisers were surprised at the fact that no contestant registered for the comedy section.

The competition offered spectacular performances from the contestants who showed extensive determination to win prizes in which the overall winner Leveru Moyo grabbed the $70 prize.

An organiser of the competition, Nkosilothando Ndebele said they were looking forward to turning winners into professional artistes.

“Honestly, the turnout of people surprised us, ANTS was a tremendous success and the next phase is to develop their artistic talents to another level,” he said.

Ndebele said winners of the competition would feature in upcoming Bulawayo arts events such as Intwasa, while plans were underway to help others join arts clubs such as Umahlekisa Comedy Club in Bulawayo.

The overall winner of ANTS competition Leveru from Amhlophe High School said this was a life changing opportunity, which opened doors to her dreams.

“Firstly, to compete in an event founded by one of the prominent arts producers in the country Albert Nyathi was beyond my imagination and to be successfully voted as the overall winner of the competition was a dream come true. Now I’m looking forward to becoming the next outstanding actor in Bulawayo,” she said.

ANTS seeks to spread its tentacles to other cities and towns in Zimbabwe.