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Sophia Chese Arts Correspondent
“Imagine Zimbabwe” is calling for more participants to take part in the talent search show competition to be held on May 23 after only four bands have so far registered.The winners of the competition are set to represent the country in the international competitions to be held in Belgium in June.

In an interview with The Herald Entertainment, Music Crossroads Zimbabwe Trust director Melody Zambuko said they have only four bands that have registered and are calling for other bands of youths who are under the age of 20.

“We want at least 10 groups to participate on the national level and right now only four have registered so we have sent our people across the country’s provinces to scout for other groups to compete on this prestigious competition,” she said.

She said only the winning band will have the opportunity to participate in Belgium in June.

“The outstanding band, that is the winners, will then represent the country in Belgium on the international stage and if they win they will also have the opportunity to tour other countries as part of their winning prize,” she said.

She also said the talent search show is meant to scout for young talented bands who are finding it difficult to make it in the industry because of age and exposure.

“The programme goes a long way in assisting these young talents to launch their career on the now flooded industry,” she said.

Meanwhile, Music Crossroads Zimbabwe does not have the package for the eventual winner in place as Zambuko called for assistance from the corporate world to help them raise the money for the winners’ air tickets.

“We are looking for partners to chip in and help us in any way they can,” she said.

Last year a five-member energetic ensemble from Chitungwiza, Were, came first in the competitions and represented Zimbabwe at the International Imagine Festival in Norway where they again came first.

They toured Europe for two months after emerging winners in a stiff battle with six other countries.

Imagine has worked in association with the Music Crossroads Inter-regional Festival and its previous winners have toured Europe, playing at Imagine events in Norway, Sweden, Belgium and Croatia.