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SPOTLIGHT SUBMISSIONS FOR WEEK THREE NOW OPEN

07/09/2021 08:33:00 BY MMELI MKWANAZI

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MBABANE - Eswatini’s biggest talent search competition, The Spotlight-Made Brighter by MTN, has opened its digital lines for accepting entries for week three.

The competition was successfully launched on August 20, 2021 and immediately digital audition lines for Season three were opened. Since then applications have been coming in from all around the country for the past two weeks from aspiring musicians who want to be Eswatini’s next star. Eswatini’s biggest music talent search competition, The Spotlight, is hosted by MTN Eswatini and supported by partners and sponsors.

Edition

The contest has successfully hosted the project over the past two years and in 2021 enters its third edition. The competition is aimed at unearthing new music stars as well as empowering the youth who have a love for the art. The crowning will be in December after the first TV show in mid-September. MTN Brand, Communications and Sponsorship Manager Landokuhle Dlamini says week two closed on Friday at noon and on Saturday week three opened and will run for a week. “How this works is that the entries for week one and two will be broadcast on our first show and the ones for week three and four will be on the subsequent shows. We encourage the youth to pour in those entries so that they can be a part of this amazing competition,” she said. The third season, according to Dlamini, will run until December when the finale will be hosted. There will also be voting alongside the judging of the contestants. Eswatini TV also returns this year as the broadcast partner of the event.

Regulations

“As we are adhering to COVID-19 regulations, we will not be holding the application session of the auditions physically but will do so digitally like the previous year. What is important to note is that one must also have downloaded the Ayoba Messaging Application, as it is one of our main means of communication during the competition. So we invite the youth to submit those videos,” she said. In the past, a car was among the main prizes as well as a recording deal. Dlamini said even this year contestants must look forward to a similar package if not better, as announced at the launch. “We have a variety of prizes which include a vehicle for the eventual winner, a Nissan Datsun Go as well as a recording deal. Finalists, however, greatly benefit as well as they also get prizes and training on their music careers so it is something not to miss out on,” she said.

Instalment

The first instalment of The Spotlight was launched in 2019 and saw a young man from Nhlangano, Llucid, winning the competition. Last year Sethu Magagula from Mliba walked away with the grand prize of a Kia Picanto, phone, recording deal among others. Sponsors and partners for this year’s event include, but are not limited to Destiny Music, Nando’s, Super Signs, Huawei, Nissan, Eswatini TV and Eswatini Tourism Authority. These will be updated with due course. Dlamini encouraged the public to follow the social media handles under The Spotlight-Made Brighter by MTN including the print and broadcast media to stay updated on the latest news and the audition processes. To Apply download the Ayoba App on Google Play or App Store and visit www.yellohub.co.sz/thespotlight/apply.

QUESTIONS ABOUT MUSIC AUDITIONS:

Q: How do you deal with nerves before and during auditions?
A: Be over prepared, exert some energy before your audition, Take your time and Don’t panic if you make a mistake.

Q: How do you deal with the physical side effects of anxiety in an audition? (Sweaty hands, dry mouth, etc.)
A: Try biting your tongue! Don’t bite too hard, but biting your tongue for a few seconds will cause saliva to fill your mouth and give you a little bit of moisture. Also, dress light, it’s better to dress cooler than normal than to be sweating through your clothes.

Q: What is the thing that would impress the judges the most?
A: Do your best to be respectful and professional when you walk into an audition room. Your ability to improvise and maintain composure throughout your audition will be impressive. Again, make a plan ahead of time, anticipating what you will do in case of a mistake.