Kelvin Zalimba wins E-wallet crown and K3mil car: Malawi singing talent

Singing sensation 20-year old  Kelvin Zalimba  beat  four contestants in the finals to win the talent E-Wallet contest.

Zalimba battled it  out with Sigele Akimu, Shanice Tandwe, Eunice Mhango and Jeremiah Chikhwaza to win a lucrative  K3 million Nissan Tiida.

“I couldn’t believe it when the named me the winner,” Zalimba told Nyasa Times.

“I am very happy. It’s a dream come true,” Chilomoni-based youngster added.

Zalimba who performed the reindition of  Luther Vandross’ Buy Me a Rose had to emerge winner in a  tie breaking mechanism when contestants had to vote for each other. He is the only one who got two votes.

Earlier, Zalimba got the node from one of the judges, Dumisani Mfune.

He said: “Musical aptitude is one of the key attributes I look for in a musician apart from interpretation. We don’t want copycats like what we have in the gospel music scene where most music is copied from South Africa, no disrespect but this is true. That unique voice is Kelvin.”

But judges Marvin Hanke settled for  Eunice Mhango and  Rudo Mkukupha-Chakwera picked Shanice Tandwe who emerged  a runner up.

Rudo said about Shanice: “Recording her voice, will give you goose bumps.”

Shanice was gracious in defeat, calling her rival “unique”.

She said “the best guy won. Kelvin deserves it.”

Eunice Mhango, who is the main vocalist at Mizu Band was announced as the second runner-up.

The road to the E-Wallet season six started with auditions in Mzuzu where two were picked Mwayi Matiti and Kennedy Burton followed by Lilongwe where they picked namely three namely Sigele Akimu, Ruth Kulaisi and Shadreck Amos.

In Blantyre, nine were selected and they are Enerst Masi, Rita Kalonga, Eunice Mhango, Shanice Tandwe, Jeremiah Chikhwaza, Annie Kapanda, Khumbo Manda, Kelvin Zalimba and Jeremiah Chigwenembe.