Dwarsloop Mall supports local talent
Dennis Chitunco, the mall's marketing officer, said the event took a lot of preparation and was well worth it.
Tears of joy, whistles and clapping were the order of the day as talented youth from areas around Bushbuckridge mesmerised attendees of the first-ever Dwarsloop Mall Talent Show. 
The mall’s marketing team, New Africa Developments, initiated the show.
“This is a great initiative. We want to showcase the talent in this region. I have seen in other areas that talent is very precious and valued, but the wider community of Mpumalanga does not cater for that, so, we decided to bring this event here to give talented people a chance to showcase their talent,” said Chitunco.
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He added that the show will be an annual event to support and promote local talent. Attendees received prizes from the mall. The overall winner walked away with R1 000 and a promotional album from the local radio station, Radio Bushbuckridge. The second- and third-placed winners received R500 each.
Kgagiso Mkhavela, a beatboxing artist, received a positive response from the judges for his rare talent.
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“My man, you just made my Sunday. You entertained the crowd and I am proud of you,” said DJ Sporo of Radio Bushbuckridge. “Wow! This is the first of its kind that I have come across in my 30 years of being around this area,” added judge Vincent Mgiba. One of the upcoming artists, a grade eight learner of Chayaza High School, Samkelo Maphanga (13), said she had entered because she believes in herself and was looking forward to being one of the Idols winners from the area one day.
