The heat is on with the official announcement of the Top 12 finalists in the Pan-African music competition, Old Mutual Amazing Voices.
These 12 singing groups will be competing in front of a live audience for the grand prize of US$100 000 (R1.5 million) in the final phase of the competition in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The competition aims to discover unsigned singing talent from four countries – Ghana, Kenya, Zimbabwe and South Africa – and across three genres – gospel, pop and R&B. Bandile Mngoma, sponsorship manager at Old Mutual, says: “We are extremely excited to be involved in this African feast of incredible talent, working and partnering with people aspiring to become their exceptional best.”
The Old Mutual Amazing Voices show began airing in January on Mzansi Magic (DStv channel 161) in South Africa and on Maisha Magic in Kenya and on Africa Magic in Ghana and on Zambesi Magic in Zimbabwe on Sundays at 17:00
The groups are undergoing voice training and mentoring by the legendary musician and official Amazing Voices music director Zwai Bala. “What excites me about this competition is that it’s Pan-African, giving us the opportunity to celebrate and share Africa’s special gift – which is music. I am thrilled to work with the contestants and learn from them too. I’m a musician but at heart I’m a teacher. I’m about the advancement of the African child,” says Bala.
Audiences are in for a riveting time, as excitement builds and anticipation rises ahead of the grand Amazing Voices finale on 5 April 2020.
The Top 12 Groups:
RnB
Zimbabwe – Focus Acapella
Ghana – Note 6
SA – The Recreators
Kenya – Wanavokali
Pop
Ghana- Rhythm Ambassadors
Zimbabwe – Rhema
SA – Afrikariz
Kenya – Duaro Harmonies (group could not make to SA due to Visa requirements)
Gospel
Ghana – Soul Street
Zimbabwe – Family Voices
SA – Simply 6
Kenya- Solid Rock Band
The selectors
The South African Amazing Voices selectors have included well-known celebrities such as Vusi Nova (Afro-soul musician), Buhle Mda (The Soil female vocalist), Morena The Squire (Afro-pop artist) as well as Zwai Bala, who is also the programme director of Amazing Voices.
In Ghana the selectors included Paulina Oduro (musician, actress, talent show judge and stage performer), Jay Foley (TV presenter) and Kofi Amoako, popularly known as DJ Vyrusky (award-winning disc jockey).
In Kenya the selectors included Sanaipei Tande, professionally known as Sana (singer, songwriter, actress, karaoke host, radio personality and entertainer), Fakii Liwali (event organiser) and artist manager Kavutha Mwanzia-AsiyoKavutha, one of Kenya’s leading jazz vocalists.
In Zimbabwe the selectors included Takura Tendayi (singer and songwriter), Selmor Mtukudzi (award-winning musician, and actress), and Thembalami Praise (gospel musician and vocalist).
