Preparations for the second edition of Dream Star Zimbabwe are at an advanced stage despite lack of funding, organisers of the talent show have said.
By Kennedy Nyavaya
First round auditions will take place from September 16 to 24 at nine venues across the country with the ultimate winners getting $3 000, $1 500 and $1 000 for first, second and third positions respectively.
The competition, which had its inaugural season in 2014 under the Zim’s Got Talent banner before changing to Dream Star Zimbabwe last year faces many challenges, chief being lack of funding.
Speaking at the launch of the talent show recently vice-chairman of the Chinese Federation in Zimbabwe Steve Zhao said the challenges will not deter them from running the event.
“This year is very difficult. We have no Chinese company sponsoring the programme but we still say no matter how hard it is God will help us and people will help to make it a success,” said Zhao, adding that the event was part of the multi-faceted plan to create opportunities for talented local people.
“As a federation, we are trying to open another window for our young children so that they introduce arts into the world and also create job opportunities,” he said.
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“Our target is to help Zimbabweans to build up the economy and the cultural side. On the cultural side, we try our best to come up with programmes like Dream Star and Zimbabwe-China Scholarship.”
Dream Star Zimbabwe is the only local talent show that engages winning competitors after the show although there are allegations that they have failed to pay participants their dues.
Zhao said the claims were not true. He said the organisation was engaging its Chinese counterparts to bring the “promised” China-Zimbabwe cultural exchange programme.
“We have talked to some companies in China who have said they want to partner us. So, we are planning these things,” he said.
