STAFF REPORTER
A Kenyan acapella group, Wanavokali, has won the grand prize of US$100,000 at the inaugural Old Mutual Amazing Voices music competition held in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The 13 weeks competition was broadcast live on DStv’s Zambezi Magic and Mzansi Magic channels with the winner voted for by the public.
Wanavokali’s six members – Ythera, Riki Msanii, Chepkorir, Lena Gayah, Rui and Mellah – walked away with US$100 000.
The pan-African competition which had three representatives from Zimbabwe, Rhema, Focus Acapella and Family Voices, was designed to discover unsigned singing talent from across the African content.
It had nine other competitors from Ghana, Kenya and South Africa, who battled it out across three genres-gospel, pop and RnB.
The final was on Sunday pitting the winners against Simpy Six, a gospel group and Afrikariz, a pop group, both from South Africa.
Zimbabwe representatives, Family Voices, the country’s only remaining hopeful, had been eliminated the previous Sunday.
The members of the winning group were elated about their win.
“We are beyond excited and grateful,” said Ythera Ghege, Wanavokali group leader.
“Now Africa gets to see Kenya as a musical force. This competition has affirmed our limitless potential, and helped us to lift our country flag high. We are so excited and happy about the opportunities that are coming. The sky is now the limit!”
Vuyo Lee, Chief Marketing Officer of key sponsor Old Mutual, said: “It has been fantastic supporting people who genuinely aspire to become their exceptional best. We can’t wait to make Season Two even bigger and better.”
The Old Mutual Amazing Voices show began airing in January 2020, following a grueling audition process that kicked off in September 2019.
During the course of the competition, contestants benefited from the guidance and mentorship of the show’s music director, Zwai Bala.
They also picked up valuable advice on responsible money management at financial education workshops hosted by Old Mutual.
