The Botswana Television music show, “My Star”, has closed the curtain on this year with quadrupling the cash prize for the first position.
The Marketing Officer for the show, Motalepula Kutjue, confirmed that the cash price has been increased from P25 000 to P100 000 for a contestant who snatches the first title for next year’s music show competition.
Commenting on the increase in the cash prize, which had previously been increased by P5 000 from year to year since the show started in 2007, “My Star” founder, Keabetswe Sesinyi, a.k.a Master Dee, said this is meant to ensure that youth who participate in the competition are better able to help themselves and their families.
“We want to empower youth with singing talent,” said Master Dee.
The show has so far nurtured music stars such as RB singer Kabo Matlho, Tshepo Dikomang, Kitso Selato, and Kgalalelo Abotseng, who recently won this year’s competition.
Some of the stars groomed by the show were made aware of their potential to scale to better heights in the entertainment industry through the comments of the judges during the auditions and competitions. “Others are performing in restaurants , entertaining using the talents nurtured during the show,” said Master Dee. “This show created a platform for unemployed youth to get jobs. Some of the stars we produced are in the fashion and model industry.”
The winners are awarded with cash prizes, scholarships, and are offered the opportunity to record albums overseas. Master Dee encouraged parents to support their children to come and unearth their talent during the next year’s show.
“Next year’s 5th edition of the show will be the first one of its kind,” said My Star’s office. “It is expected to be the best ever, surpassing previous shows. More auditions will be hosted in Francistown and Selibe Phikwe.”
In future, more attractive prizes will be on offer for youths who are talented not only in music but in other different sporting activities. This was confirmed by the Coordinator of Information and Public Education from the Ministry of Youth Sports & Culture (Department of Arts and Culture), Kristian Mmusi.
He, however, would not go into detail.
“At the moment we are still in consultation with different stakeholders to find the best way of rewarding talent in Botswana for different genres in the country,” he said.
