Rudo joins panel, Chigo host for Search for a Star
Prominent female poet and journalist, Chigomezgo Gondwe Chokani, is the new Sunbird Search for a Star (SSS) host, while gospel musician, Rudo Nkukupa-Chakwera, has been picked as the competition’s third judge.
Producers of the music talent show, E-Wallet, alongside sponsors Sunbird, on Thursday conducted auditions for the vacant post of MC in Blantyre and 21 people came to try their luck.
It was however the bubbly Chigo, a former Times TV personality, who won the hearts of the interviewing panel that comprised E-Wallet executives Felix Njawala and Mike Kambalame as well as Sunbird Tourism public relations manager Akossa Mphepo.
“We were basically looking for someone with a strong personality and stage presence as well as a good sense of humour and professionalism,” said Mphepo.
Among the 21 that attended the auditions, notable names were Capital FM radio personalities Annie Chisala and Molhowelhe Gwembere aka Molo and CFC Radio’s Chipiliro Wahara.
Meanwhile, having been picked as the third judge, Rudo Nkukupa Chakwera will be joining two of last year’s SSS judges Marvin Hanke and Dumisani Mfune.
From Zomba the crew will go to Mangochi at Sunbird Nkopola on 23 July. Third on the list is Sunbird Mzuzu where auditions will take place on 25 July.The 2014 SSS is expected to kickoff on July 21 with auditions that will take place in all the four regions of the country, and the first venue on the list will be Sunbird Ku Chawe Hotel in Zomba.
In Lilongwe, auditions will be held at Sunbird Lilongwe on 27 July, while in Salima at Sunbird Livingstonia Beach on 29 July. Last on the list is Blantyre where auditions will be at Sunbird Mount Soche on 31 July.
The competition is expected to run for about four months, with the grand finale likely to be held on 5 October at Sunbird Mount Soche where five finalists will compete for the ultimate prize to be announced at the start of the show.
Last year’s winner, Adrian Kwelepeta from Lilongwe went home with K500,000.
