The Spotlight hands out 19 Y’ello tickets

MBABANE - 20-year-old Tandzile Tsabedze was among the top performers during the first show of The Spotlight Season 3 auditions as judges issued out 19 Y’ello tickets this past Sunday.

Tsabedze, according to the Judges brought an Agame in the first show of The Spotlight auditions.

She performed almost halfway through the auditions, gave a stunning rendition of ‘Best Part’ by Daniel Caesar, and swept the judges off their feet.

The first show’s judges were made up of resident judges Velemseni Ndzimandze, Ndumiso Dlamini, and guest judge Fikile ‘Floewe’ Nxumalo.

“This is my best audition,” said judge Ndumiso Dlamini.

“This is a perfect example of great song choice, great voice, and delivery,” guest judge Fikile ‘Floewe’ Nxumalo added. “I cannot wait to see this little one grow in the competition,” she further stated.

The first episode was made up of week one and week two auditions.

Auditions

Since the COVID-19 health crisis continues not to favour The Spotlights traditional in-person auditions in cities around the country, in line with its vision, ‘to lead the delivery of a bold new digital world,’ MTN continued to use technology and made it possible for hopefuls to audition by sending in their videos from all over the country.

The Spotlight host, Thamsanqa ‘KrTC’ Sibandze said the judges have a stern task ‘to identify from those who audition, young people who have that spark that can be grown into the

flame.’

It was a stern task indeed as the judges sat through close to 50 audition videos during the first show of The Spotlight Season 3. Only about 19

contestants made it to the next round of the competition, while about 29 crashed out.

Some contestants were advised to go and polish up some areas of their vocals, grow and come back next year. These include Mayenziwe Hlophe (17), Karabo Mkhonta (18), Luyanda Phiri (18), Viwe Msibi (17), Ayanda Mamba (19), and Dalingcebo Tsabedze (16).

Band

“I need you to go out there and find a band quickly sing as much as you can and come back next year because you have a sweet voice, but you don’t understand it yet,” said Judge Velemseni to Karabo Mkhonta (18).

Ayanda Mamba (19) was advised to try again next year and choose another genre and a better song.

Other hopefuls were advised to just go straight to the studio to record their songs because they are bigger than the