Vodacom Superstar 2013 RnB category winner, Mapule Mosiuoa performs at the launch event yesterday.
VODACOM Lesotho (VCL) has upped the ante in the fourth edition of its Vodacom Superstars talent search competition by not only unearthing budding music talent but also offering winners international exposure.
This was revealed at a press conference the telecommunications giant held at Lesotho Sun in Maseru yesterday. According to VCL Managing Director Ian Ferrao, over M1 million in cash prizes, recording with an international record label, international video and live performance bookings are up for grabs in the competition.
“The competition is all about unleashing Basotho’s potential as there is vast talent out there that needs to be exposed,” said Mr Ferrao.
“We took a break last year so that we could come back better, and, judging by the prizes on offer this time, it promises to be amazing.
“We have also teamed up with Kalawa Jazmee co-owner, DJ Oskido, to provide exposure to our winners in the international market.”
He also urged talented Basotho not to shy away but to register for the talent search as “they might be Lesotho’s next superstars”.
The competition is structured into four categories; Music, Dance, Male DJ and Female DJ, with three winners to emerge from each of the groupings.
The top three winners in each category will walk away with M70 000, M40 000 and M20 000 respectively. The first prize winner in the music category will also get a recording deal for a single with Kalawa Jazzmee, while the first prize winner in the dance category will also get a Video Feature with the same label.
For the first prize winner in the DJ category, VCL has lined up a Booking/Performance Deal at a regional Kalawa Jazzmee gig.
VCL Marketing Specialist Seema Tsotetsi said the voting for the contestants would be free this time around.
“We realised that in the previous seasons not every contestant was able to solicit votes as some of their supporters could not afford it, so this time voting will be free,” said Mr Tsotetsi.
“All the participants will have to do is convince the audience that they have what it takes to be a Vodacom Superstar.”
He added that auditions for the competition would be held in one district per region with the North (Leribe), Central (Maseru), and South (Mohale’s Hoek).
“From 27-28 May, we will hold auditions in Leribe, two weeks later in Mohale’s Hoek and lastly in Maseru after another two weeks, with the final set for October,” Mr Tsotetsi said.
“As the programme will be aired on national television every Saturday by fresh local talent, we will also hold the male and female presenter search on 23-24 May prior to the Superstar auditions.”
He further said that to register for the Vodacom Superstars competition, aspiring participants must SMS their name, talent category and zone code to 54066. For Maseru, the zone code is SS1, Leribe SS2 and Mohale’s Hoek SS3 with the registration process, which began yesterday, closing on 27 May.
The TV Presenter registration entails sending an SMS with the name to 54055 with the registration process closing on 20 May.
During the launch event, the competition’s 2013 winners, Mapule Mosiuoa, Yemba Shungu, Sefako Sa Menoaneng and Patrick Matete collaborated in a song thanking VCL for making their dreams a reality.
