including media professionals and members of the public who harboured aspirations working for the radio station.
Some people arrived at the sports club as early as 6am for the auditions that were scheduled to start three hours later and those who arrived later were surprised to witness a long winding queue already snaking its way into Prince Edward Street.

The cosmopolitan crowd looked like casts to a talent search with people from all walks of life trying to make a statement inasfar as fashion, language, natural talent, professional and academic qualifications were concerned.
The aspirants braved the chilly weather that was also promising to unleash rain, and patiently waited for their turn to be auditioned to come.

Also noteworthy about the auditions was that some people used their personal cars to attend the auditions, some walked all the way from the Central Business District to Alexandra Sports Club, while others hired taxis or hitchhiked to the venue.
There were journalists, musicians, comedians, security guards, the unemployed and college students, who were hoping to make it through during the auditions.

“I think these auditions will have to be held over a two-day period because the turnout is massive,” observed one aspirant, who was last in the queue.
Come audition time and the majority of the people who were being auditioned sent people into stitches with their presentations.
“Here is the news being read by . . . ,” announced one aspiring newsreader sending the crowd into uproarious laughter.

One security guard clad in his uniform had the crowd in stitches with his soccer commentary.
“Uyu anga achidzvinyirirwa kubasa kwaanga ari (this one really belongs to the radio and not the kind of work he has been doing),” noted one observer.

Young Problem Masau, a trainee journalist who was once attached to The Herald, left the crowd in stitches as he sought opinions from fellow journalists of a funeral announcement he wanted to read as part of his auditions.

He had come up with the idea of “Zviziviso Zverufu”, but the truth of it was that he was just trying to draw laughter from his colleagues before he made his actual presentation.

“Hezvinei zviziviso zverufu zvichiverengwa naProblem Masau. Hama dzekwa Nhingi dzinoda kuzivisa vose vekwa Nhingi kuti mwana wavo akashaika . . . (The So and so family would like to inform all relatives that their beloved has died…)!”

 

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