Malawi talent show: E-wallet finalists to record songs for grand finale

The last three contestants in the E-Wallet Talent Show, Malawi’s own version of the Pop Music Idols, will be going into the studios to record songs which they will perform at the grand finale of the competition to be held in Lilongwe on 31st January.

This was disclosed by the organisers of the competition in an interview with Nyasa Times following the last eviction show held on New Year’s Eve at Capital Hotel where Wakhumbachi Kalua, Tawonga Kanthungo and Guise Pemba were announced as the Top 3 contestants – Mick Monyo and The Floor Steppers were evicted.

Initially, the show on 31st December was supposed to see one contestant going home K0.5 million richer, with a record deal on top for winning the 2012 E-Wallet competition, but the producers later announced that the winner would be unveiled at the grand finale to be held at the Bingu International Conference Centre in the capital city.

And when Nyasa Times caught up with Anthony Kafuwa, the competition’s project coordinator to find out what will happen as now that they have the Top 3 of Wakhumbachi (EW 19), Tawonga (EW 6) and Guise (EW 18), he said the three will not be idle as they will be busy in the studio with seasoned producer Tapps Bandawe.

“They will get busy in the studio with Tapps, where they will record a song and a video each courtesy of MultiChoice [Malawi],” disclosed Kafuwa. “The songs will be performed at the grand finale and then put on air.”

Guise Pemba, the only man standing in the competition. Photo by Kimpho Loka/Nyasa Times
Wakhumbachi Kalua: In the finals
Kanthungo: 11-year-old

Finalists speak to Nyasa Times

For the first time, Nyasa Times also had the chance to exclusively interview the finalists, who shared their excitement for making it into the finals of the competition whose journey started three months ago with 26 contestants drawn from the South, Central and Northern regions of the country.

The first one to talk to, in a telephone interview from her home in Lilongwe was Tawonga, who previously had been erroneously reported to be aged 13 when she was 10 and recently turned 11, according to her close  relation who spoke to Nyasa Times when contacted to ask for an interview with the young contestant.

“I’m so excited that I made it because it was not easy to beat all those people, who were equally good, but here I am in the finals, I don’t take it for granted. I thank God and the people that have been voting for me,” she said while expressing her confidence that she would be crowned winner.

Asked why she deserves to be voted winner, Tawonga, who had been the hottest contender, said: “Malawians should vote for me because if I win I will help to build the confidence in the younger generation. I will make them realise that no matter how young you might be everything is possible.”

Her female counterpart Wakhumbachi, who will be turning 18 on January 28, while saying “thank you to all the family, friends all the fans”, she said Malawians should trust in her by giving her the crown because she will give them nothing short of her best.

The only Blantyre-based finalist, the contestant, fondly known as ‘Wakhu’, also said by winning the competition, she expects to learn more about the industry and strive for perfection in the course of entertaining Malawi as well as aiding in putting Malawi’s music on the international level.

Also in a separate interview, 29-year-old Guise, the only male contestant standing, could as well not hide how humbled he was to survive through the evictions.

“A lot of people were really good and did a marvellous job in the competition, I thank God that He’s allowed me to be where I am today and I also thank all the people that have been supporting me from the start. I couldn’t have been where I am today if it wasn’t for their votes,” he said.

Guise said despite “some few challenges”, which he could not mention, the competition was fair.

On why Malawi should vote for him, he said: “Malawians should vote for me because of two things, first because of consistency in my performances and confidence which I believe is as a result of being experienced with facing different kinds of audience and maturity.

“I believe that I can stand any kind of pressure performance wise and that I can represent Malawi well on the international level,” said the soft-spoken Guise.

Grand Finale

Meanwhile, organisers of the E-Wallet show have said the finale, sponsored by MultiChoice Malawi, Sunbird Tourism, Airtel Malawi, and MBC TV, among others, will be massive and a night to remember. According to them, the contestants will perform three songs each and the event will also see Malawi’s biggest artists performing.

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