Tanzania: Bongo Star Search to hold auditions next month

The announcement was made at a launch attended by the Minister of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Harrison Mwakyembe, and other stakeholders in Dar es Salaam on 16 August.

The 2020 season will be aired on Star Times TV and participants stand a chance to win 50 million Tanzanian shillings (about $22 000), with 20% of the money being used to develop and promote the winner's music career.

The competition's patron and chief judge, Rita Paulsen, said auditions would be held in the Mbeya, Arusha, Mwanza, Dodoma and Dar es Salaam regions "to discover the most exceptional singing talent in Tanzania."

Ten selected contestants will compete during a live performance each week. Based on the judges' verdicts and viewers voting via SMS, the weakest contestant will be eliminated. The jury will feature record producers and radio and TV personalities whose names will be revealed at a later date. 

"BSS prides itself as the only platform that discovers and showcases new talent," Paulsen said. "There may be only one winner, but all the top 10 participants, who will be selected to compete for the prize, will gain much-needed exposure to kick-start their careers.

"BSS urges all the record labels and top artist managers in the country to be on the lookout for fresh talent. We simply identify talent. Our work ends once the winner is announced, so it's up to other stakeholders to take up the mantle and ensure that the contestants make a career out of music."

Mwakyembe said: "This is an important day as we are launching one of the initiatives promoting arts in the country. The creative sector is a huge contributor to the country's economy and we are among the top three best performing ministries. So we are committed to supporting talents. I urge the talented youth not to let such an opportunity to make something out of their life pass. As a ministry, we acknowledge that sponsorship is a huge problem, and on that note, I would like to promise the organisers that plans are under way to engage more sponsors for future editions."

Popular artists who have appeared on BSS in the past include Kala Jeremiah, Harmonize, Peter Msechu, Walter Chilambo, Kayumba Juma, Christian Bella and Meshack Fukuta, who won last year.

Below are the Bongo Star Search 2020 audition dates:

• 09.09 – Mbeya 
• 26.06 – Arusha 
• 03.10 – Mwanza
• 10.10 – Dodoma 
• 17.10 and 18.10 – Dar es Salaam