First time lucky in talent showcase winners

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Maybe it was luck, their destiny or even divine intervention in their winning the vocal category of this year's Mossel Bay's Got Talent showcase. That's what it sounds like when you listen to their story. We meet at Hillcrest Secondary School. They are The Shadows and they are all in Grade 12.

Akhona Pekana or AK-P is a self-taught musician, originally from Uitenhage. He also plays in the worship band at New Life Church. Being friends with the "KwaZulu-Natal boys", Qaphele Snandile (Main-Shadow) and Vusumuzi Thobela (Black Cactus), who were friends since primary school, Akhona inspired them to also start playing an instrument. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Today these guys are able to play multiple instruments and all are part of Hillcrest's school band.

Vusumuzi has since also joined the worship band. Since he has a part-time job, he could sadly not participate in the MBGT finals.

The Shadows, in fact only took part in their first talent competition last year, when New Life Church hosted an event for the youth. But when they entered MBGT this year, they meant business. At the time of last year's competition, they had no vocalist.

Lining up on the day of their audition, they bumped into a friend from school, Simanye Mthitshana (Sma) who entered to sing a solo. There and then, without having rehearsed prior to the audition, they decided to collaborate. This was the start of their success.

Akhona says because they are all friends, they want to keep it that way. "We have no leader. We are all equal in the band."

The surprising fact is that none of them come from musical families. They say they play to the audience and play their hand at various genres. "If we like the sound, we will play it," says Qaphele. But it is playing gospel music, that really makes them connect with each other. "Gospel is our foundation. You know in other music, when you rehearse, you don't always feel the music. But with gospel, it's different," adds Akhona. Akhona dreams of a career in soccer. Vusumuzi will join YWAM and will see where God leads him. Qaphele has always had a passion for law. And the rose among the thorns, Simanye, is still deciding on her future.

Vusumuzi has some advice for those wanting to participate in MBGT, but are reluctant to do so. "I know it's hard to be confident, but go out there and say, 'Hey, this is me.' The critics are out there. But I take heart from a saying I heard: 'It takes rain and sunshine to grow a flower.'"

And the band? Once they leave school, what will happen?

"Only God knows. We are hoping for the best. If anything great happens, we will see where we go."

Visit The Shadows at https://free.facebook.com/The-Shadows_SA-970473686456346/?ref=unknown

The Shadows have five more members, who could not participate in MBGT. They are Lamla Zangga, Mihle Khenke, Inga KMakatesi, Lilitha Tokwe and Matthew Cupido

Vusumuzi Thobela, Akhona Pekana, Simanye Mthitshana and Qaphela Snandile. Photo: Cornelle Carstens