Zimbabwean in Idols final

Zimbabwean in Idols final

IDOL: Eric Moyo in last 2 of Mnet Idols

• Makosi booted out of Big Brother

• Kudzai eliminated from Project Fame

• Kudzai through to last 16 in Project Fame

• British hit reality show heads for Africa

By Isaac Nyambiya

A ZIMBABWEAN singing prodigy is on the verge of winning a US$80 000 cash prize and a recording contract with Sony BMG after making it into the final two of the Mnet Idols music talent show taking place in Kenya.

The show, Africa’s answer to American Idol, reaches a climax on Saturday when Eric Moyo will know if he has done enough to win the public vote.

Moyo and Uganda’s Nicolette Kiiga made it through to the last two when they received more votes than relegated show favourite, Trinah Chisanga of Zambia on Monday.

Bulawayo-born Moyo, 26, was one of eight Zimbabweans in the group of 24 contestants chosen from 24 countries in Southern and Eastern Africa.

The auditions kicked off in February and over 30,000 pop star wannabes between the ages 18 and 27 entered the M-Net initiative aimed at identifying and celebrating home-grown stars and the search for a solo superstar.

In the penultimate finals held on Monday, Eric sang his own versions of “Kiss From A Rose” by Seal (crowd’s choice); Michael Jackson’s “Black and White” (his own choice) and “Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me” by George Michael & Elton John (the judge’s choice).

Last week, Eric gave a spell-binding rendition of Ringo Madlingozi’s Sondela in the African Song category (watch here).

The show is being hosted and presented by another Zimbabwean Lebogang Mzwimbi, who is studying towards a bachelor of commerce degree in South Africa.

Voting goes on all week beginning NOW until it closes on Saturday 26th of July 2008 at 12.00 CAT! To vote for Eric as your Idols winner, pick up the phone and dial +25 473 411 5009 and follow the voice prompts or text ‘Eric’ to the short code in your country of residence. Short codes are listed HERE.

You may vote a maximum of 100 times via phone per voting period. Alternatively you can vote online CLICK HERE

TALENT: Harare boy Lebogang Mzwimbi is presenting the show
TALENT: Harare boy Lebogang Mzwimbi is presenting the show
JOIN THE DEBATE ON THIS ARTICLE ON THE NEWZIMBABWE.COM FORUMS
showbiz@newzimbabwe.com