By CASEY NEILL
DANDENONG’S African community took its talent to the stage last week.
Singers, dancers and rappers auditioned for Africa’s Got Talent at The Castle on 13 May.
Africa’s Got Talent organiser Tariro Mavondo said performances ranged from hip-hop to reggae and featured artists from Tanzania, South Sudan, Burundi, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
“The talent was really solid,” she said.
“It was very hard to pick who to choose from the people who auditioned.”
The Dandenong audition was the final for this year’s contest, which had already visited about seven other municipalities.
Last year was the competition’s first and hopefuls could only apply online.
“We had more people this year, heading out into the communities,” Ms Mavondo said.
Africa’s Got Talent is open to performing artists of African descent aged between 16 and 30 years.
Ms Mavondo started it to celebrate Africa Day and to unite African artists.
“As an artist myself I felt quite isolated,” she said.
“I grew up in Frankston and moved to Cranbourne when I was 12.
“There wasn’t that many opportunities for your African artists to meet other African artists.
“This is good for the morale of young artists who are giving it a go.”
She said the open audition process was “like a brilliant workshop as well”.
“The artists watch other artists and give them feedback,” she said.
“We give them really constructive criticism.”
Ms Mavondo hopes to bring it back with more resources next year.
“There’s a need and a hunger out there,” she said.
The Africa’s Got Talent final will be held at Fitzroy Town Hall on Saturday (24 May). Entry is a gold coin donation.
“It’s for the wider public to celebrate and share the talent of the African community,” she said.
Judges will include Deni Hines, Lamine Sonko, Stephanie Kabanyana and Chris Gill.
There’ll be prizes for first, second and third, plus all finalists will be part of an artistic mentorship program.
