Finalists picked in talent showcase

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The semi-finals of the Mossel Bay's Got Talent (MBGT) showcase took place at the Bravo Lounge at the Garden Route Casino on Saturday, 25 May.

After six rounds of auditions hosted in different areas including Great Brak River, Brandwag, D'Almeida, KwaNonqaba, the Indoor Sport Centre and the Mossel Bay Town Hall and then the hotly-contested semi-final, the selection process for the grande finale on 16 June is now complete.

Participants did their best to ensure their place in this year's final. This year marks the tenth anniversary of Mossel Bay's Got Talent.

The finalists are as follows:
Vocal category: Shadows, Amy, Callen, Busisiwe, Shaneen and Ashleen.

Dance category: Sixx Style, G-Flex, Beat Slayers, D-Trix, Kid Danger and R&J. There was also a wild card and it was awarded to Sharif from Great Brak River.

Open category (mostly rap and hip hop artists):

Crimson Hoosay, Major, Rap Stars, JT, Rap Society and Bhulz. The poet, Zukhanye, from Kwanonqaba considered herself lucky to have received a wild card.

The grand finale will take place on 16 June at the Mossel Bay Town Hall at 12:00. Entry is free. For more information, contact the Mossel Bay Municipal Youth Office (044 606 5224/9) or visit the office at the Indoor Sport Centre, Sampson Street, in Extension 23.

Guest artist
Thanks to a generous sponsorship, South African pop sensation Jarrad Ricketts will be the guest artist at this year's MBGT final.

Ricketts is a SAMA-nominated artist in the category, best pop album, for his hit debut album, Break The Rules. His songs, Take Me To Your Heart, Paradise, Thinkin Bout and New Life, are currently in the Top 40.

Ricketts hails from Athlone in the Cape Flats and it was the arts that gave him a sense of direction. He writes his own music.

Without any formal training, it was persistance and drive that steered him in pursuit of a music career. He has performed in Sweden, Spain and Finland.

Ricketts is currently rolling out his self-funded community engagement programme and connecting with children at more than 67 schools in South Africa, sharing his story through motivational talks.

In Mossel Bay, apart from performing at the final on 16 June, he will host a special workshop with the finalists the day before the big showdown, to help them prepare for their final performances.

A photograph taken by a member of the audience amid the excitement at the semi-finals of Mossel Bay's Got Talent.