BY PHUMZILE NDLOVU
MBABANE– The first audition of the Mother of All Gospel Shows Rising Star Talent Search kicked off successfully over the weekend in Hhohho.
The auditions kicked off in Pigg’s Peak on Friday at the Pigg’s Peak Arts Centre. On Saturday, it was held at the Theatre Club.
The next stop is Siteki at the Siteki Art Centre on Friday, and on Saturday it will be held at Nhlangano Art Centre. The last one will be held in Manzini on February 17.
It is worth mentioning that the auditions are free and kick off at 9 a.m. at all centres. The judges of the auditions are saxophonist Fakazi Samuel and gospel artists Banele Dlamini and Mpendulo Mzayoni Tsabedze.
When reached for comment, the brains behind The Mother of All Gospel Shows, gospel artist Ndunduzo Matse, shared with this publication that the auditions were a success as a lot of aspiring artists came out to try their luck. “We decided to have the auditions in Pigg’s Peak and Mbabane because Hhohho is big. We started at Pigg’s Peak, and then headed to Mbabane the next day. We will then have elections on February 24 after visiting the remaining regions.
In a previous interview, Matse shared that Eswatini TV will document the auditions. According to Matse last year, the Mother of All Gospel Shows exceeded expectations. They were initially set to record only two artists who won the competition but ended up recording all 17 finalists.
This year, the Mother of All Gospel Shows will be held on April 27 at the Mavuso Exhibition and Trade Centre. Tickets to the show are now available. Early bird tickets cost E150. Worth noting is that tickets at the gate will cost E200. Tickets are available online and on MTN MoMo; there are no physical tickets for now.
The Mother of All Gospel Shows concept started in 2016. Matse shared that the purpose of inventing this show was inspired by the need to grow the industry and create a platform for both established and upcoming artists to showcase their God-given talent.
Last year’s show was held at the Mavuso Exhibition Centre main hall. It was well attended by gospel fans that came to witness the live recording and enjoy the music. Some of the musicians who performed included South African gospel artists, namely SbuNoah, Mpumi Mtsweni, Canaan Nyathi, Xiliswa Kwinana, Thina Zungu, who sang with his son Muzi, and the son of the late gospel artist Neyi Zuma. Local artists who performed were Linda Dlamini, Banele Dlamini,Nothando Dlamin, Ndoni Ndlangamandla, Bhelakzi, and many more.
