Malawian poet recites at Zim Book Fair
She stood out as the best according to the judging panel, searching for the front face of this year’s edition of Malawi’s sole talent hunt show, Sunbird Search for Star (SSS).
Thirteen battled out for the SSS 2014 host position but Chigomezgo Gondwe Chokani convinced the judges, made of organisers, E-Wallet and sponsors, Sunbird Tourism Limited.
“Among other things; stage personality, good articulation, presentability professionalism since they are the face of the show,” explained Sunbird Tourism public relations manager Akossa Mphepo.
Chokani joins Judge Rudo Mkukupa Chakwera as new entrants of the show’s crew.
“It feels fabulously amazing. I am excited. I praise God for his enduring mercies. I don’t take this mission lightly, God wants me to do something here, to move something, to shake something. So, here I am, I made it as the host of SSS 2014,” said Chokani.
She said her effort and experience made her get the nod at the end of it all.
“I made an effort to look nice that day, so I could say it was the way I looked but it may be my experience in hosting TV shows like these. I have hosted Miss South Africa Teen on SABC 1 in the past as well as Music Mania, a music programme on SABC 3. I was also creative director and script writer for South Africa Music Awards in 2004 so I know what is expected on such shows.
“I worked on several TV broadcast events for the SABC while I was in South Africa, such as the Voice of Choice which was similar to SSS, but broadcast live on TV and 13 radio stations simultaneously—I was the producer and creative director for that event as well as others. Being a performance poet also makes the stage a natural space for me to be, it’s home to me and I am not shy in front of people or cameras. I also think it was because I talked a lot—I tend to do that when am nervous,” she affirmed.
Talking about the show in general, Chokani believes SSS is a much needed platform for not only introducing new musical talent in Malawi, but also for setting music standards.
She advised: “When new artists enter the industry and market, they must do it with a bang—with confidence, with maturity, with experience, with a zest for life. They must be prepared for the good days and bad days that await them in their career, they must know and accept that not everyone is going to like their music and they must learn to take criticism and use it to their advantage to build on their talent. They must also do it in style and with passion for what they do. SSS is the platform for music artists to learn all this whether they are participating or watching it on TV from home.”
