18 Mar 2014

Jwaneng’s Acacia Primary School was a beehive of activity on March 16 as My African Dream (MAD) aspirants tried their luck in the auditions.

Small groups could be seen rehearsing their performances outside as they awaited their turn to impress the judges. Even though the show is associated with the youth, Jwaneng auditions attracted people of different ages and talents.

Among the many kwaito and hip hop groups, there were those who were doing it solo, others recited Setswana poetry and some bellowed gospel tunes. Despite the fact that the auditions were well advertised, there were those who came unprepared and others even went to the extent of bringing empty CDs.

Nonetheless, the song, Tjukutja became one of the most common songs for groups that did not bring their own music. It was evident from the performances that most of the small children did not prepare well for the auditions, while others even just registered at the venue on the day.

In an interview, one of the aspirants, Neo Modimakwane, could not hold her excitement as she was one of those who received a call back. The 21-year-old Botswana College of Agriculture (BCA) student grabbed the judges’ attention with Adele’s Someone like You. Even though they doubted her stage presence, her singing booked her a place in the second round.

She said even though it was the first time that she was trying her luck at MAD, she was optimistic that she could go far in the competition. “I auditioned for this year’s My Star, but I couldn’t go through. So I thought I should try at My African Dream because at My Star, competition is tight,” she said.

The Jwaneng MAD auditions were part of countrywide auditions which will end in Gaborone this coming weekend.nEnds