MASERU — Vodacom Lesotho last Friday released the names of the top 20 finalists who excelled during auditions that were held to unearth new music talent last month.
The Top 20 Vodacom Superstar Competition finalists were selected from a total of 2 700 hopefuls who took part in the competition which was held throughout the whole country.
The finalists now face elimination after their singles were submitted to different radio stations for voting by listeners.
Vodacom marketing coordinator, Sekonyela Matamane, told the Weekender this week that the names of the 20 best performers were announced on local radio stations and television on Friday.
“They have already recorded a single to be submitted to different radio stations for promotion,” Matamane said.
He added: “From the 20, the public will vote for their best five based on the singles that will receive airplay on radio.”
Matamane said the top five will be groomed by veteran musician Tshepo Tshola before facing the judges during the final event.
“The top five will then face a panel of judges to select the grand winner and the other winners of the top five prizes on July 22 at Manthabiseng Convention Centre.
“The first prize is M100 000 plus a recording deal worth M50 000, the second prize is M60 000, the third prize is M30 000 while the forth and fifth prize winners will get M10 000 each,” he said.
The last 15 will each get M2 000 each.
“The remaining 15 will get M2000 per artist or group depending on how they entered the competition,” Matamane said.
The top 20 Vodacom Superstars are Stlofa, Mthibo, Martha ‘Mabathoana, Titanic Entertainment, Identity, Thabang Ramakhula, Palesa Motlomelo, Sisters in Acapella, Thato Raphoto, Justice Mofoleng, Khahliso Mphephoka, Nalete, Bana ba Phakane, Thaba-Kholo, ‘Mapule, Tefo Mofolo, Desciples, Kamohelo Tshola, Mamello Mohapi and Brand New (L-tore and Minister PO).
Matamane said among all the districts, Maseru best represented all the five genres.
“Looking at all the districts, Maseru almost had a balance of all the five categories represented and looking at the list, gospel music dominates,” he said.
He said the panel of judges include a well known choral adjudicator, Patrick Marabe, music producer Thato Mokoena and radio personality Rebafiloe ‘Rebel’ Monnapula.
He added that the three judges took a week selecting the best 20 from the audio clips recorded in all the country’s 10 districts.
Based on popularity and feedback from the public, Vodacom might run the competition annually.
“We can’t commit to whether the event will be annual but we will see its success now and take it from there,” Matamane said.
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