Ahead of the Sunbird Search for a Star (SSS) 2014 second eviction show in Blantyre this weekend, the 12 contenders yesterday visited Bangwe Youth Centre where they interacted with fellow youths from the township.
The young people visited are those who are under the Active Youth Initiative for Social Enhancement (Ayise), engaged in different programmes at the youth centre, among them complementary basic education, vocational skills and music training.
“We decided to bring the contestants here to encourage and motivate their fellow youths on different careers they have chosen. As Sunbird we wanted them to sit down and share experiences which would inspire them.
“We believe young people are the best tools to use to reach out to their fellows and they best understand one another,” said Sunbird Tourism Limited public relations officer, Akossa Mphepo, who accompanied the contestants alongside the SSS organising team and the media.
Apart from interacting with the youth at the facility, the remaining 12 contestants also took time to perform in front of their fellow youths and the gathering as they did the song It is Well With My Soul.
Bangwe Ayise is expected to start a music training school in a couple of weeks and has so far registered 50 students who were auditioned a week ago, according to the centre’s manager Monica Makeya Dzodzi.
“This visit has been very fruitful because our students here have been inspired a lot as we are about to start our music school. It has been a great opportunity to the youth of Bangwe to interact with the contestants as they were able to motivate and encourage them to work harder in their different programmes and realise their dreams,” said Makeya Dzodzi.
One of the students, 27-year-old Rodrick Majawa, was happy to interact with the contestants, who he described as role models to the youth not only in Bangwe but the country at large.
“I am inspired a lot seeing how these people have transformed. I have been following the show and it’s very inspiring to see how they are improving every show and this has encouraged me to take part next year, it’s really motivating,” said Majawa in an interview.
Four contestants are expected to be evicted from the competition this weekend during the second eviction show slated for Sunbird Mount Soche in Blantyre on tomorrow, following the eviction of four in Lilongwe two weeks ago.
Apart from the contestants’ performances and the evictions, Edgar ndi Davis of the Wazelezeka fame are also billed to perform at the show.
