Kudzai through to last 16 in Project Fame

Kudzai through to last 16 in Project Fame

KUDZAI: Carrying the torch for Zimbabwe

• British hit reality show heads for Africa

By Shepherd Sibanda
Showbiz Editor

A FEISTY young travel agent and linguist is Zimbabwe's representative on Africa's Project Fame -- an imitation of the British hit reality TV show Fame Academy.

For Kudzai Sevenzo, 25, making it through to the final 16 of the cream of Africa in the M-Net show is the breakthrough she has been waiting for. She believes she can win the R900 000 big prize and recording contract.

"I have a desire to learn more about music. If fame and everything else comes along, I can keep my feet on the ground," she said.

In fact, she has wanted to be a musician from the time she led a nursery rhyme at crèche at the age of four.

Project Fame is just one step away from sending the top 16 musical talents in Africa into the academy.

In a live broadcast from The Pyramid in Johannesburg on Sunday, six contestants from the Rest of Africa group of ten made it through to the academy.

"The next global superstar is coming from Africa!" warned board member Antos Stella. "Tonight's performances were incredible - it was our toughest decision yet."

Sunday night's top six join the nine-strong contingent of potential South African stars who have already booked their place. The final South African contestant - Tumi - was named during the show, having beaten Rowan for the audience vote from the past week.

The board, this week featuring Afrobeat godfather Tony Allen as a guest member, rejected Yvonne (from Uganda) and Thabo (from Botswana). The teachers then saved Lindiwe (Zambia), Dare (Nigeria), Carl (Zanzibar), Karen (Kenya), Kudzai (Zimbabwe) and Max (Kenya).

This tough decision left Jid'dah, who sang Oceans Apart, and Emmanuel, who sang Flying Without Wings, on probation. Both of these Nigerian contestants face a tough week of waiting as the audience is given the chance to decide their fate.

They will only find out who impressed the voting public most, during next week's gala show when all the contestants move into the academy to begin work under the guidance of the teachers.

Viewers from South Africa can vote for their favourite probation candidate by calling or sending an SMS to 083 123 FAME/3263 and viewers from the rest of Africa can call 083 913 FAME/3263 or SMS their favourite's first name to 913 FAME/3263. Alternately, anyone can vote for their favourite on the Project Fame website - http://www.projectfame.co.za
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