ELIAS MAGINYA IN GWERU
Harare based artist, Leah Kasinamunda aka Soulful Leah won the Hear Me Zimbabwe Karaoke Grand Finale Season One held in Gweru last Saturday.
The first prize of the competition, which was organised and sponsored by the Millan Family Restaurant, carried
US$2 000 cash prize.
Leona Lillie born Leona Furusa from Gweru came second, claiming US$500 while another Gweru diva and former 98.4 Midlands FM radio personality, Fortune Marrygold Madzima came third, bagging US$200.
Speaking after the prize handover ceremony, boastful Soulful Lea said: “When one travels all the way from Harare you just have to win.I did two winning songs. I did opera songs and some Rihanna songs with high notes that I knew none would go for because of the tough high notes,” Soulful Lea said.
She added: “I am going to buy a car to use during my tours.”
Before she relocated to Harare, Soulful Lea was a longtime backing vocalist to Gweru born artist Tawanda “Samkoko” Mukoko’s band Caritate.
A visibly happy Leona Lillie said she would invest into her career.
“I am so happy. I have just run out of words. All I know is that I did my best. I am happy because I once got eliminated and bounced back through public demand. I am going to inject the money into my project, that is a video to one of my songs. I will not divert even a cent and I strongly feel that this prize must change my life.”
The 19-year-old songstress and vocalist was at one time eliminated but got her spot back after a public outcry, as followers thought adjudicators had done some ‘injustice’ to her.
Gospel musician, Madzima said she is now realizing that her talent is starting to pay off.
“There is real talent out there, the competition was stiff. I started singing when I was still in primary school and I never knew that the talent will take me to such great heights”
Dj Tamuka, Shashil, Level, Oskid were part of the panel of judges.
ZiFM’s radio personality Becky was the guest mcee as she co-hosted with the resident anchor and popular wheel spinner Dj Blesh.
