Malawi Has Talent grand finale will take place on August 26 2023, with the national elimination show slated for July 30 2023.
This was disclosed Wednesday during a press briefing of the unveiling of 30 acts that were selected by the judges of celebrated poet Q Malewezi, Zilanie Gondwe and Mr Entertainer Jai Banda following auditions that took place in Blantyre for the South and Eastern regions and North and Central held in Lilongwe.
The auditions for Malawi Has Talent, spearheaded by Times Group in partnership with First Capital Bank (FCB), attracted an overwhelming response with talent showcases from disciplines such as acrobatics, music, contortionism, football freestyles, dance and poetry.
Times Group Sales Manager (South) Alfred Kanjere said they were happy with the progress of the reality show and the excitement that they created through auditions and that, now, people should look forward to the national elimination show and grand finale.
“We have taken all the views that people have given us and we will utilise them as we move forward but we are happy to unveil the 30 acts. The judges had a torrid time selecting these acts,” Kanjere said.
He said that Malawi Has Talent was conceived with an aim of creating a platform for talents that are hidden.
“We believe this is a platform where talents can be exposed and at the same time develop to start making money. We want to get to that level where, as a country, we can be talking about exporting talent,” Kanjere said.
FCB Head of Marketing and Communication Twikale Chirwa said, at FCB, belief comes first and they believe that Malawi has talent, hence partnering Times Group through Malawi Has Talent reality show to unearth talent.
“Today we are excited to unveil these 30 acts. This is just season one of the three and we are happy to see talents coming forward. We are aware that some talents did not register but it is our hope that we will see more in the other seasons,” Chirwa said.
He said the 30 acts that have been unveiled will be groomed before the national elimination show, which will attract a live audience.
“We have also launched a promotion where people have a chance of choosing the three local acts that they want to see during the grand finale,” he said.
Chirwa also indicated that, as FCB, they have the best app which people can use to buy tickets for the elimination show and that they stand a chance of entering into a draw to win various prizes.
Some of the talents that make the 30 acts, which were beamed on a big screen, include contortionist Felicity Thunyani, Dikamawoko Cultural Dancing Troupe, Vanessa Nalikungwi, Beatus Msamange, Destination Talents, Adobe Dance Crew, Strong Boys, Kesia Saiwa, The Future Kings, The Invisible Crew, Beginners Dance Crew and Akuzike Thole.
The grand finale will see the winner walking away with K5 million whereas second and third placed contestants will receive K2 million and K1 million, respectively.
