DJ Linah entertains the audiance on Saaturday during VCL super Star Finale
Mohalenyane Phakela
THE curtain finally fell down on the fourth edition of the Vodacom Superstars with a high-octane finale held on Saturday at the Maseru Central Park.
Launched in May this year, the fourth installment of the talent search saw scores of Basotho audition for the popular competition. The contestants were then narrowed down to the top three finalists in the music, dance, as well as male and female deejays categories. The top three winners in each category walked away with M70 000, while the runner-up scooped M40 000 and third-place took home M20 000.
During the finale, which was also graced by South Africa’s DJ Zinhle, Uhuru and legendary DJ and producer Oskido, the contenders were given the last opportunity to sway the judges by performing before the throngs of revellers in attendance.
In the music category, rapper L-Tore clinched the top spot, with rapper Muhjestik Thamae and singers Keke and Rapelang notching the second and third places respectively. L-Tore will also get a recording deal for a single with Oskido’s Kalawa Jazzmee record label.
The winner in the dance category was Converse Heroes at the expense of second and third runners-up Angel Jason as well as Keke and Hadebe. Converse Heroes will also get a Video Feature with the same label. DJ Linah triumphed in the female DJ category with El’ Asla and DJ Palycetra coming second and third respectively.
Sixteen-year-old DJ Vesta was the talent search’s youngest winner in the male deejay category with AfroDJ and TšelisoDJ coming second and third respectively. The winning deejays in the male and female also won the opportunity to perform alongside DJ Oskido in two gigs he will be holding in South Africa this festive season.
In an exclusive interview with the Weekender after the finale, DJ Vesta said he never thought he would prevail against the prominent deejays he was up against, adding that he had learnt the lesson that hard work pays.
“This is a life-changing opportunity I have been given which will develop my skills even more thanks to Vodacom Lesotho. I still cannot believe that I won,” said DJ Vesta whose real name is Katiso Sematlane.
“I thank everyone who came to support me today. I was so touched and felt so humbled with the support I received when I went onto the stage, and from those who were wearing #TeamVesta t-shirts.”
The Form E student at Machabeng College said he would return the favour of the support by applying himself to the best of his ability.
“I have actually realised that a lot of Basotho appreciate what I do. And what I can say to Basotho is that believe in me and I will keep on making you proud. Winning does not mean I have made it, but is a step closer towards realising my dream of being an international DJ,” he said.
“Being a DJ started as a hobby for me but this competition has changed that. As from today, I now regard it as my career. I also intend to pursue a marketing qualification so that I am able to manage and market myself as a brand.”
Contacted for comment, L-Tore said he was surprised but elated to win the top spot.
“This competition was very tight. Muhjestik is a good rapper while Keke and Rapelang can sing very well. I believe my stage presence and energy gave me edge over them,” he said.
“I want to thank Vodacom for this opportunity because recording a song with Oskido will surely open doors for me in South Africa.”
One of the competition’s judges and the 2013 edition winner, Patrick Matete, said choosing the winners was not an easy task since there were a lot of talented performers.
“The competition was very stiff because the finalists were very proficient in their different categories. It was only in the dance category where the top performers stood out from the rest,” said Matete.
“However, it was also evident that there is still a lot of room for improvement for all the finalists. So, I am hoping that they will work to sharpen their skills. I urge those who did not win not to despair but to work harder to ensure they make the grade next time.”
