BULAWAYO - This year’s edition of the Dreams To Fame, one of Zimbabwe’s biggest talent search shows, kicks off on Saturday at Amakhosi Cultural Centre in Bulawayo.
The event, which is very popular among youngsters in the City of Kings, runs for 20 weeks every year from August to December.
Dreams to Fame organisers are convinced that this year’s edition will be boosted by the recently concluded partnership with StarBrite which runs a popular television competition.
Amakhosi programmes officer, Thulani Mbambo, told the Daily News that the talent search’s on-going registration programme had already attracted hundreds of participants.
“The competition has four categories which include music, dance, poetry and modelling. But what makes this year’s competition more advanced is that we have created mentorship deals,” said Mbambo.
He said several seasoned musicians, poets; dance group leaders and a local modelling agency had been roped in to further equip the youngsters after the competition which will end on December 13.
With better prizes on offer this year, Mbambo is hopeful that competition will attract more quality contestants in all categories.
Over the past few years, music and dance accounted for the majority of contestants with theatre, poetry and junior modelling contestants failing to impress judges during the qualifying stages.
In line with tradition, Dreams To Fame finalists and winners will get Amakhosi Golden Awards which are presented by the mayor of Bulawayo in February every year.
This year in February, Amakhosi failed to host the traditional annual Golden Awards ceremony.
“There were reasons beyond our control, but I can assure you that we have corrected that anomaly which means the winners of last year will receive their awards in February next year along with this year’s winners, ”Mbambo explained.
Last year about 1 500 young performers participated in the talent search showcase before over 15 000 fans.
Dreams To Fame is produced and managed by Amakhosi Arts Academy students as part of their events and arts management training.
In the previous editions of the competition, seasoned artistes were invited to act as judges.