Tanzania: Bongo Star Search is back

Bongo Star Search Season 9 will be aired on Star Times TV and participants stand a chance to win 50 million Tanzanian shillings ($ 22 000) with 20% of the money being used to develop and promote the winner’s music career.

The new season was launched in the Dar es Salaam yesterday where the competition’s patron and chief judge, Rita Paulsen, said the search would begin in Mwanza on 22 and 23 September.

She said the dates for the Arusha, Mbeya and Dar es Salaam regions would be announced at a later stage.

“There so many talented young people who are unemployed in Tanzania,” she said. “Because of this, those in the creative industry should strive to empower these young people so that they can better their lives. I thank God that we are doing this again. I would also like thank the sponsor Star Times who have seen the value of this competition.”

Paulsen said the Tanzanian music industry should be taken seriously. “Music, just like any other industry, produces individuals that directly contribute to the growth of our economy. At the moment artists are paying performance fees. So if we can improve this sector, it would be beneficial to the country."

The Bongo Star Search jury will also feature record producer Master J and radio and TV presenter Salama Jabir. The overall winner will be selected by the public via SMS voting.

“I'm glad to be part of a team that empowers young artists by providing them with the means and opportunities to advance their careers,” Master J said.

“For the past nine years Bongo Star Search has transformed many artists. However, I would like the public to know that we are not a record label. The media has previously portrayed us as such. We simply identify talent and it’s up to the record labels and mangers to take them in.”

Popular artists who have appeared on Bongo Star Search in the past include Kala Jeremiah, Harmonize, Peter Msechu, Walter Chilambo, Kayumba Juma and Christian Bella.