Glamorous, splendid and successful is what characterised the finals of the 2013 Sunbird Search for a Star music competition held at the Sunbird Capital on Saturday evening.
It was a night for the stars and honouring creativity—and it was Adrian Kwelepeta whose journey in the competition has survived on hard working and the courage that ‘anything is possible in life’ who smiled home with a K500 000 (about $1 250) cash prize for winning the title.
His success was backed by public votes and the reaction from the jam-packed Sunbird Capital Marquee when the young star was announced the winner just supported the results
Everyone had given him a vote to carry the title and upon claimed the winner, the hall turned into choruses of congratulation.
Even the judges Mervin Hanke, Dumisani Mfune and Alinane Mphande could not hold on their excitement, but join the audience in dancing for the king.
He expected to carry the day, but was not very optimistic.
“It was a tight race and I had some respect to fellow contestants because I knew there is something that kept them to the finals. It was anybody’s day that is why I am thanking my Lord for giving me the title amongst the best contestants,” said Adrian, who comes from T/A Sosola’s area in Balaka.
He described his success as a product of hard-working spirit and the passion to get results.
“I cannot compare myself to the first day I joined the competition. I have learnt a lot from the friends and judges and it was my desire to get right the errors the judges were pointing out and this helped me to improve and finally carry the title which I used to see as something I cannot win the soonest,” he said, adding that he will invest the money in the recording of his debut album to be released next year.
He said his first single Moyo Wanga, which he dedicates to his mother, will be released in January.
He performed the song with the support of only a guitar after being named the winner.
This was to give the public a raw taste of the product—and what he achieved was a loud applause from the audience.
Highly competitive Chisomo Chichi Nteteka came out second and pocketed K300 000 (about $750) while Ruth Magona came out third and received K200 000 (about $500).
The other finalists Brian Kuchilowa and Sithembile Banda got K50 000 (about $125) each.
In separate interviews, they all admitted that Adrian was a deserving winner.
In his remarks, event organiser Felix Njawala said he is happy that the votes produced the results the public was expecting.
