One thing KZN has bucket loads of is rhythm! It doesn’t take a lot to get out booties moving – play a bit of kwaito and it won’t be long before people are up out of their seats and grinding to the beats! Or pass by a local church on a Sunday and hear the voices of the congregation singing their praises! There’s no hiding the fact that we as African people were blessed with a special talent when it comes to music and dance, so it makes complete sense that we should have a local competition to mine this great pool of talent! uShaka Search For The Stars, now in its tenth year, is a partnership with the Department of Arts and Culture, that looks for new emerging talent in the field of dance and music.
Each year uShaka puts out a call for dance groups in the following genres: pantsula, contemporary, hip-hop, Indian, isigekle, kwaito, gumboot, Tswana, ingoma yama ntombazane, ushameni, tin & football dancers – so many great styles of local dance! Acapella, hip-hop, kwaito and Afro gospel singers are also encouraged to enter the competition that is open to both amateurs and professionsals. Speciality acts, such as mime artists, circus performers and magicians are also invited to show off what they’ve got, all with the chance of winning a one year contract to perform at uShaka Marine World.
The finals for 2017 took place last weekend at uShaka Marine World, so if you didn’t make it this time, you’ll have to start practicing for next year!
Images courtesy of the KZN Department of Arts & Culture