Hopefuls turn up for BET auditions
NEWTOWN– Thousands of gospel hopefuls folk to BET's #SundayBestAfrica in hopes of being the next big star.
In their search for the next best and biggest local gospel singer to join BET in the USA for the production of the ninth season of Sunday Best gospel music show, BET hosted a gospel talent search in South Africa and Nigeria.
Auditions took place at Newtown Music Factory on 6 April as thousands faced local celebrity judges, Pastor and gospel singer Benjamin Dube, vocalist Kelly Khumalo, gospel star Mahalia Buchanan and radio personality Thami Ngubeni.
“Gospel music is something that unites people around the world and Sunday Best testifies to this. Africa is rich with gospel talent, I’m looking forward to seeing what participants at the auditions have to offer,” Benjamin Dube said.
Sunday Best, which is hosted by American gospel artist Kirk Franklin, is a BET original production that gives unskillful gospel singers an opportunity to perform in front of a panel of celebrity judges, who have previously included the likes of Mary Mary, Bebe and Cece Winans, and Donnie McClurkin.
This year, BET Africa plans to travel between South Africa and Nigeria in the hopes of finding gospel voices who will be selected to participate in the show, all expenses paid, from 15 April to 15 May. Contestants will be part of the top 20 gospel stars from around the world competing for the top prize.
According to Monde Twala, vice president for Youth, Music and BET at Viacom International Media Networks Africa (VIMN Africa), BET Africa is a platform built on the pillars of black culture and black excellence. “We are all about creating opportunities for Africans to showcase their talent on a global stage. Gospel music is at the heart of our culture and this will be showcased in the upcoming season of Sunday Best. I encourage all the talented hopefuls to put their best foot forward during our local auditions.”
Join the conversation about the channel on Twitter and Instagram @BET_Africa using the hashtag #SundayBestAfrica.
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