MASERU — The search for the Vodacom Superstar has now reached a crescendo.
The telecommunications giant on Monday announced five finalists who will battle it out in the final at ’Mathabiseng Convention Centre tomorrow.
Khahliso Mphephoka, Palesa Motlomelo, Stlofa, Thabang
Ramakhula and famo group
Nalete were voted in the Top Five at the close of voting on Sunday.
Voting was conducted through an sms campaign. The five were selected from a group of 20 who had been short-listed for the top award.
Gospel artiste Mphephoka received the biggest number of votes at 15 120 while another musician Motlomelo came second with 12 120 votes.
Hip hop star Stlofa was third with 10 700 votes.
Famo group Nalete and
gospel songster, Thabang Ramakhula, came fourth and fifth with 10 199 and 9 956 votes respectively.
The five were expected to rehearse with jazz star Bhudaza Mapefane in preparation for the final performance tomorrow.
The five finalists were voted through sms voting campaigns that ran on local radio stations and Lesotho Television.
“This is the first competition of its kind and we managed to attract over 3 000 participants throughout the country,” Vodacom’s brand manager, ‘Mamotebang Mokoena, said.
“The top five being announced today are the public’s choice from the Top 20 that were highly publicised in local media.”
Mokoena encouraged those who failed to make it to knock on different doors.
“The journey does not end here. Vodacom gave you enough publicity to make it big if you have music at heart. You made it this far, keep walking with your talents,” she said.
Vodacom marketing coordinators, Tšotetsi Seema, and Sekonyela Matamane, said the competition received tremendous support from the public.
“There were a total of 127 755 votes from the public.”
Mokoena told the Weekender the musicians will be under the mentorship of music guru, Tshepo Tshola.
“The five finalists will train with Bhudaza for a week before their final performances on Friday but they will still be receiving mentorship from Ntate Tshepo.”
Mokoena said “Although he (Tshola) is not publicly active he is still the icon behind the competition and is still helping behind closed doors.
“He was supposed to be here today but due to unforeseen circumstances he couldn’t come.”
The five finalists will be fighting for the grand prize of
M100 000 cash plus a M50 000 recording deal.
The second prize is M60 000 cash. The third prize winner will walk away with M30 000
cash while the fourth and fifth prize winners will get M10 000 each.
The remaining finalists from the Top 20 will receive a consolation prize of M2 000 and
Vodacom hampers each tomorrow.
One of the top 20 finalists, Martha ‘Mabathoana, told the Weekender: “It was a competition and anything was bound to happen.
“I am very grateful for the exposure I received through thecompetition and I hope it will help improve sales for my next DVD to be released soon,” she said.
