And then there were 5

It has been a rough journey, an exciting experience and a voyage worth  remembering. But all this comes  to an end, even the most thrilling and exciting competition has to.

Only the tough have kept going as the competition got tougher towards the end, tension mounted among the contestants.

It is now up to the judges’ verdicts and Malawians’ votes to decide on who will become half a millionaire at the end of the contest on Saturday night.

The Nation probed the five finalists in the Sunbird Search for a Star on how they feel about the competition and their expectations, and what they intend to do with the prize money.

With all five finalists having a church background, each contestant seeks God’s favour for a win and the most common response The Nation got from four of the finalists was that they will tithe before spending the money as they desire.

Chisomo Mteteka, popularly known as Chichi in the competition, said that she is optimistic of walking away with the K500 000 (US$1 176) on Saturday as she has always performed to her best.

“I am confident that I did very well on the competition and I am looking forward to winning,” said Mteteka.

She said since she is in farming, she plans to invest the prize money in her agricultural business.

19-year-old Andrian Kwelepeta, says he is confident that he will surely win and will continue with the music career after such a great experience in the competition.

“This competition has taught me a lot in as far as my music career is concerned. I can now boost to say I am a musician because I have learnt a lot,” he said.

Telling her side of the story, Ruth Magona says she is looking forward for the finale as she has practised enough and feels it is her last time to showcase her skills.

“I have confidence in myself and I know I will win, more especially with the great practise that I have been doing throughout,” she said.

She says, as a student, she wishes to use the prize money for school fees and invest the rest in a business.

For fresh primary teacher Brain Kuchilowa, who is also among the finalists, he says as of now, he is looking at himself as winner.

“I trust my performances and I know I will do well in the finals as I have also leant to control my voice,” he said, adding that the Search for a Star experience has given him an impetus to pursue a music career.

He said the competition has also made him realise how to deal and live around people, bearing in mind that every person is different.

In an interview Sithembile Banda, one of the survivors in the competition, says she has no doubt that the grand prize belongs to her.

“I have hope that I will win because I have practised enough. This competition has also nurtured my voice and it has been a very good experience. I do not want to stop here but to continue with music as career,” she said.

Besides pursuing a music career, Sithembile says she will venture into business as an investment if she happens to win the prize money.

The five finalists will battle it out for the grand prize in the final show slated for Sunbird Lilongwe Hotel on December 14.