Starbrite 2018 Finalists

Thanks to everyone who auditioned! Don't miss the new season in 2019 when the journey continues with team going around in search of talent.

But first, StarBrite is teaming up with Club Sankayi, to bring you the 2018 finals. Following the successful hosting of the semifinals, the nation eagerly awaits the grand finale. Mono Mukundu, Patience Lusengo and Temple man did not have it easy coming up with the final line up of the finalists. Characterized by the glitz that came with the Club Sankayi ambience, the semifinalists brought their A game in a bid to survive the chop. 

Meet the finalists

Junior Category

Guyi boys

Guyi boys emanated from the beautiful mountainous land of Mutare in Dora, more so we are in grade 3 coming from a family of 3 boys. We enjoy heading cattle playing computer games, singing and swimming.We don’t like losing in life coz winning is our goal musically we were inspired by Dj Terry fabulous who is a music producer. Locally we like Winky D who is a lyricist and always stage very well. Internationally we like Busy Signal for his amazing songs and good performance.

 

Leona Furusa

My name is Leona Furusa .contestant no 338.l am 15 years old doing form 3 at Matinunura High School in Gweru. I am a second born in a family of 4, l like singing and watching television don’t like people who undermine others. Adele is my favorite international artist. She is very humble and has an angelic voice. She is also my inspiration. Locally l like PlaxedesWenyika .she always sings meaningful songs and has a very rich voice

 

Lesson Ndlovu

Born on 25 August at Dorset in Shurugwi District in Midlands in 2005, Lesson Dumoluhle Ndlovuhas already set the poetry world on fire. The young Poet has shaken the arts industry with flawless performances in the Midlands province and beyond. The teen poet started making public performances at the age of 9 and has graced big occasions including, the National Heroes Acre, International Book Fairs, the Midlands Show, Independence Celebrations, Gweru International book festivals among others. Born in a family of professional artists, Lesson attended DorsetPerforming Arts rehearsals during weekends from the age of seven when his talent was identified. It is his unique and emotive poetry showcasing skills that aimto explore human action towards the restoration of social order. Despite only being born in 2005, Lesson is not just a promising young poet, but ‘literary’ an accomplished one. The energetic teen haswon several Performance Poetry competitions including the Gweru International Festival of Arts and the2018 Special Needs Primary School Performance Poetry courtesy of MashMo Land Investment. The Shurugwi based grade 7 Dorset Primary school pupil, Lesson whose five Ndebele literary works is featured in a yet to be published book entitled “Enkundleni ye Mbongi” is bold and does not balk from the sight of huge crowds when he belt a chain of multi lingual praise and critic poetry. Lesson likes compliments, appreciation and acknowledgement and dislike being bullied for no reason at all. The youngster’s role model is his father, Dumisani Ndlovu who is an anthologized poet and published author, the Zimbabwean and South African’s internationally renowned Dub poets, Albert NyathiandMzwakheMbuli. He likes the poets because of their cutting edge poems whichhave remained at the forefront of contemporary African poetry, setting the tone through repeated engagement with the issues surrounding African-European cultures and integration.

 

 

Poetry Category

 

Thabani Makamure

 

My name is ThabaniMakamure, I was born on the 14th of February 2000. I come from a family of 6 and i was brought up by both parents at our farm in Masvingo. I am doing my A level at Mazambara high school.I always want to thank my parents who support me.I started poetry when I was I grade 6 at Gwebi College .My family, friends and teachers especially Mrs.Nyandoro encouraged me to embrace the talent and I have grown to love poetry.That is when irealized that I can write my own poems and present them on my own.I was inspired by Abel Mauchi a local poet in Masvingo, internationally I was inspired by Trevor Noah .I like reading novels, sporting and sometimes fishing .I dislike negative people, those who always look down upon others.All in all, I can say I have reached this far because I am surrounded by people who help me embrace my dream and the audience which seem to like what I present.

 

Leben Kabete

My name is Leben Panashe Kabete and I am a Gweru based poet, born 21 August 1998 .I am the firstchild in a family of three, all boys.I was born and raised in Gweru .I started doing poetry in 2016 when I began my Alevel and since then I've fallen for the art.I'm inspired by what happens in the society I live in and also by my love for God. My favorite local artist is TendekaiTaiti popularly known as Madzitatiguru.I like him because he makes poetry worth listening to by writing poems that the audience can relate to without difficulties. The diction he uses is simple yet filled with examples of everyday life situations so he easily gets attention while sending a clear message in the end. My favorite international artist is USA based Prince Ea.He is very good with words and has very strong word play and yet still manages to bring out his message clear.He knows what to write and how to write it in a convincing way. I also like him because he is passionate about changing the world including Africa and I respect him for that.

I like learning a lot and so because of that I have come to like reading. I also enjoy listening to different types of music just so I can get new ideas to fuse into my poetry. Last but not least I enjoy listening to poetry especially shona poetry. I hate noise, unnecessary talking and everything that is non formal for example parties, gigs etc.

 

Jerimos Mugweni

Jerimos Aka Sir ZvavanhuMugweni is a 32 year old writer, film maker and actor/comedian born on the 15th of December 1985 in Gutu at Gutu Mission Hospital. He grew up in low density suburbs of Mt Pleasant in Harare where his passion turned into a career. He is the author of the poetry anthology, (‘we are one’,endgoringo) and made contribution in JakwaraRenhetembo. He took part in many television productions like Tiriparwendo; I want a wedding dress, Shamiso and many more. He went to Mt Pleasant High School and the University of Zimbabwe.

 

Dance Category

 

J Squad

We are J Squad crew a local hiphop dance group based in Gweru, which comprises of seven members. We started dancing in 2010, we had no knowledge of what dance is and how to express ourselves through dance. We dance to every type of contemporary dance and our wish is to be international.Back from 2012 we have won 5 best edutainment dance group of the year, winner of hiphop Gweru got talent 2017,midlands best hiphop group 2018. We are inspired by urban dance academy an international school that caters in movement and creativity of different genres of dance styles. Furthermore our favorite international dance groups are kanjis,periotic,just jerk and shrank. Locally we like 4 Globo tribe,Real flex,Super geeks,voltage crew and The chosen .we like these artist because they never give up we have seen them suffer and overcome a lot of challenges which have given us hope and faith to have strength when things goes the opposite way .

 

Bernard M Magondola

I was born in a family of two that is my older sister and me. I live with my mother because my father passed away and currently I am in my second year at the Harare Institute of Technology studying Polymer Science, Technology and Engineering but I stay in Ruwa. When I was 10 years old, I started to develop a passion for breakdancing after watching the movies you got served and Stomp the yard and since from then during my primary and secondary education life, I would dance at any functions held within the school and did win some prizes. What I like mostly is getting the chance to meet and dance with dancers from around the world because it motivates me to do better each day I dance and also I do love eating. Associating with people with a negative mind -set upon every situation is something I do not like. Marquise Nonstop Scott motivates me internationally because he is a dancer who does what I do. He has set a great trend in jazz music internationally even though he is Zimbabwean, Oliver Mutukudzi is one of my favorite artists.

 

Shoperayi Karel Jena 

My name is Shoperayi Karel Jena, 21 years of age born 25 December 1996. I was raised and still living with a single mother in the city of Kadoma.I am last born in a family of two with a brother named Gerald Kawaza who us 26. I am a second year second semester Sociology student at the University of Zimbabwe. I’m into dancing mainly animation, popping and cramp. Besides dance I play basketball with several medals on my neck and I do rap sometimes. My role model is a dancer named Blueprint who is in a crew called dragon house. Locally I follow John Cole who is a big choreographer in the country. I like cooking a lot, food being number one on my hierarchy of needs. All this being said, dance is my passion and I hope that through StarBrite I am able to get through school and pursue dance as my career.

 

Singing Category

 

Nokutenda Nyamakawo

My name is NokutendaNyamakawo I am 19 years old. I am a singer/song writer/dancer. I am the first child and only girl in a family of 4. My source of inspiration in is music its ability to move and uplift spirits of man. Music is also a very strong language and it is powerful and it in inspires me because it also brings people together despite their differences. I started singing when I was a little girl at school, home and church but back then I never took it seriously cause I thought it was normal but as soon as I got to primary school my music teacher started teaching me a lot of things and when I went to high school Miss Carroll my music teacher started training me and guiding me. My favorite local artist is Oliver Mtukudzi. He is well known for his legendary music. What I love about him is that he sings meaningful songs that actually get to people and they will always be there because they have a significant in people's day to day lives. My favorite international singer is Adele because she has the ability to bring out emotions through songs. When she sings one is really able to feel how she felt and relate to the sort of pain that is present in the music. Jazz has become a great part of my life now Ella Fitzgerald and Etta games being the role models. I like music and getting together with different people sharing issues that affect us as human beings and discussions that better our lifestyles... I’m not fond of people who just want to make people's lives miserable.

 

John Nyasha Munodawafa

I'm John Nyasha Munodawafa currently studying Philosophy and Religious Studies at the University of Zimbabwe. I'm a young man, 22 of age and the only child of my parents. I'm visually impaired. I come from Masvingo, Nemamwa. My parents are still alive. I started singing at the age of 9 and was passionate about music .Unfortunately my hopes were shattered due to lack of exposure, instruments and sponsorship towards my dream. My father had always been my source of inspiration he too is a musicians. I like music, athletics, and reading and presenting in front of people. I dislike failure, dishonesty and lies. My favorite local artist is Baba Sharo (Aleck Macheso) Aleck Macheso's music is loaded with creativeness and words of wisdom which mostly address the Zimbabwean situation especially in marital affairs and my favorite international artist is the late Lucky Dube. His songs inspired me and still inspire me as they were rich in message and motivation.

 

Takudzwa Ncube

My name is Takudzwa Ncube. I stay with my mum. My dad seems to be not around. I have two sisters. I’m inspired by Christopher Brown internationally and locally by Jah Prayzah. I like Chris Brown because of his vocal abilities and how he controls it. Jah Prayzah's creativity matters the most also. Those two rock my world. I like sadza and stewed beef and would also like to go to America. I don’t like to be blamed that is my only dislike. 

 

Innocent Munyariwa 

I'm Innocent Munyariwa a young, talented singer and song writer aged 22. With a strong passion for music. I was born in Kadoma, attended my primary education at Mupamombe and Waverly primary school. I moved to Bulawayo in 2009 and attended my high school at Luveve high. I'm currently working at Mac Neel Fire Services as technician. I detest being looked down upon, not being taken serious and losing. I also love doing what I'm addicted to (music), playing chess and winning. I'm inspired by British pop star ED Sheeran and our very own Jah Prayzah. Both stars faced resistance from fellow musicians and fans in the early stages of their careers but their consistency, passion and humility kept them going. Consequently they made it to the top and are now jewels in the entertainment industry.

 

Mandisa Moyo

My name is MandisaMoyo an 18 year old girl who lives in Nguboyenja, coming from a family of 4 that is my sister, great grandmother and my grandmother. I went to Senzangakhona primary and Inyanda High school. I like singing and dancing and I was inspired by our very own Jah Prayzah, when he started his career it seemed as if it was nothing but it did not matter to him, he just pursued his dream. My favorite local artist is Tinashe Makura because he is humble, when he is performing he knows exactly what to do on stage and well my favorite international artist is Rihanna because she settles for songs that are suitable for her voice and I like the way she executes her lyrics. ....

 

Petros Sipuno 

My name is Petros Sipuno from Bindura born on the 5th of July 1991.I started singing when I was in grade five,I used to sing in a church choir .Rosemary Mafinda is my mom and she is my inspiration , she is a comedian, a singer and a preacher as well .She is the one who discovered my talent. I do like acting, fishing and playing golf.I don't like people who lie to me and I don't like to eat too much. My international artist is from Mali ,I like him because of his strong voice ,he sings high notes without struggling and he given the title, " the golden voice of Africa "and his name is Salif Keita. Here in Zimbabwe I like Progress Chipfumo, his voice is natural and the way he write his songs. When he plays the guitar I feel like I am the first string.

 

Bruce Sengu 

My name is BruceLionel Sengu contestant number 349 and l am a hip hop artist, poet, song writer and music composer from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. I started rapping in High School in 2006 at Plumtree School on speech nights and the love for music and performance arts grew onwards from there. I am influenced by Snoop Dogg,Bone Thugs,2Pac and Eminem because they tell a story that resonates in the hearts of the so-called “underdog” in society. Moreover, artists such as the legendary Oliver Mtukudzi and Chiwoniso have influenced me in the local music scene as they relate the true story of the plight of an African child. I like traveling, challenging myself to reach better heights and l despise unfulfilled potential.

 

 

Divide Malunga

My name is Divide Malunga I am a married man of 30 years of age .I came from Zvishavane but I was born in Harare and raised in Mukumbura by my grandparents since my parents are late. I did my grade seven at Mukumbura primary school in the year 2001.I started singing at the age of 7 at church Sunday school .My favorite international musician is Akon, I like him because he sings mostly about love which keeps me closer to my wife and locally I like Trevor D because his melodies bring back old memories. My source of inspiration is my friend Zebedee he pushes me to my elastic limits to achieve my goals .I dislike a sport of boxing because to me it’s not a sport but war. I like watching and playing soccer because the world's beautiful game is a unifier amongst tribes and races.

 

Coral Group

 

Vanyayi VaJesu 

Vanyayi VaJesu is a coral group that is in a category of singing acapella gospel music .We stay in Wedza .Our group inspired by VabativaJehovha and ChiedzaChevatendi outside of the country we inspired by Sipho Makabane .we are a group of 10 members male only ....