Catch the Creme de la Creme, On East Africa Got Talent Show, on Sunday Oct. 6th, 7.30pm, on Citizen TV!

Reality TV fans have had a blast in the very exciting first season of East Africa’s Got Talent (EAGT)  that premiered on August 4th, 2019. It’s has been a show packed to the brim on location and millions of viewers catching it on television with an endless roller coaster of emotions. The contestants on the stage would evoke love, fear, nervous goose bumps, adoration and humor in equal measure.

And, why not, it’s been a battle to the end for the title – that guarantees a head start for an aspiring newbie in the entertainment industry – and of course the cash prize of a staggering Ksh.5,000,000

. One unique aspect of the East Africa Got Talent show is that performances and entertainment doesn’t start on the stage. The show has been hosted by a versatile comedienne – Ugandan Anne Kansiime – she would treat viewers to endless comical antics. She’d settle agitated butterflies in a contestant’s tummy with ease.

The Judge’s Bench featured a public figure from each country in the show:  Mellow-voiced artist, Vanessa Mdee, from Tanzania. Kenya’s biggest talk-show host, Jeff Koinange. From Uganda, Gaetano Kagwa – who made his name in a past Talent Show and Rwandan DJ Contact Makeda.

The preliminary auditions attracted gigantic crowds of eager contestants. People would travel to major towns in their countries – Dar es Salaam, Kampala, Kigali, Nairobi and Mombasa. A majority of the crowd in the audition venues would be supportive family and friends escorting a contestant, and the rest, would be curious fans, media, logistical support and organizers.

The theatre auditions ran for close to three weeks. EAGT Season 1 had episodes 1 – 6 which was derived from the aforementioned theatre auditions. Perhaps, we should take the treacherous road the finalists have endured, step by step.

The first week, which, to the contestants, must have been the hardest- as the judges hadn’t yet mellowed out, produced sterling talents: Kenya’s Janell Tamara, Uganda’s dance group – All Eyes On Us, Himbaza Club and Afro-fusion singer Elisha the Gift from Rwanda, The Mason 666 dance group from Tanzania

The first week gave us the first Golden Buzzer with a performance from Jehovah Shalom Acapella, who made it to the finalist’s list, alongside Janell Tamara.

If you didn’t watch the subsequent episodes, there’s not a speck of hyperbole if someone describes them to you as ‘explosive’. Everything grew: from the contestant’s levels of performance to the judge’s sharpening their criticism blade.

At this point, the number of contestants making it into the semis grew by a notch – the talented musical sibling, Esther & Ezekiel from Uganda, were a joy to watch, despite thorough adjudication by Judge Kagwe. Yada Dance and Tetemesha from Kenya managed to impress, and proceed to the subsequent levels. From the land of Bongo, Tanzania, Lizzy, the Silk artist. The kids’ dance group, Intayoberana, from Rwanda (the hard-to-pronounce name notwithstanding), and the indefatigable Leyna Kagere from Uganda.

Oh, did I mention Uganda’s Leyna Kagere effortlessly got The elusive Golden Buzzer? Pure talent! Others making the cut into the finals from the cut-throat semis include Peace Hosiyana, Spellcast and Team Makorokocho, all from Rwanda. The Ugandan sensation, DNA, also made it into the Finale.

Well, at this point, the cast was drawn to a total of 18 semi finalists, chosen by the judges. In the latest EAGT episode, 6 took to the stage. The crown at this point was an opportunity to feature in the final. The public had a chance to vote for their favourite acts, which would guarantee two (most popular, voted) exceptionally talents a place in the grand finale. Fame and fortune, for self and pride for country, at stake.

Well, take a look at these talented acts and made the pick.

Jehovah Shalom Acapella. Esther & Ezekiel. Intayoberana. Spellcast. Janelle Tamara.

On a personal level, I do not for once envy the judges on the bench. They have difficult choices to make. It’s evident that each of the finalists is immensely talented, but in the same breathe, all said and done, we need a winner, right?

Lots of people would be willing to give up their birth rights to have Esther & Ezekiel winning the ultimate prize. I mean, have you had a sibling in such effortless sync and harmony as these two exhibit? We are probably more talented in arguing, pinching and scratching our siblings 24/7.

Intayoberana. The name rolls and melts off the tongue like a slice of butter. The adorable kids – their energy and hunger for success is incomparable.

If you are keen in sports, you’ll notice that single-player sports have a better chance of advancing for individual players, as opposed to team sports. So, perhaps, Janelle Tamara has a higher chance.

Luckily, you don’t have to hold your breath much longer. Catch the East Africa Got Talent Season 1 finale, which features the region’s crème de la crème, on Sunday, the 6th of October, at 7:30 pm EAT, only on Citizen TV. In case you missed out on any of the episodes, you can still catch all the acts and exciting highlights of the show on YouTube.

An amazing did-you-know fact: You simply have to attain your daily Stori Ibambe target and Safaricom instantly gifts you with 200MB free YouTube bundles. Oh, wait, you also get 200% airtime bonus.

Check your daily target, just dial *460#.

 

Major showdown at Thika Stadium this weekend as Central region’s best football teams clash

The last few rounds of any football tournament are all about the momentum. Things get intense as each side seeks to emerge the victors and earn bragging rights.

This is the same case with Chapa Dimba na Safaricom. Teams are definitely putting up an impressive performance as the national finals, which will be played in Meru on 8th and 9th June nears.

The sixth leg of the competition will be played at Thika Stadium on April 13th and 14th. The region’s finest football teams will clash, with each team seeking to be crowned the best.
Euronuts from Kiambu will take on Irigiro boys from Maragua while Laikipia’s Lufa Graduates will face Tetu Boys from Nyeri in the boy’s semis.

Changamwe Ladies receive their rewards during the Safaricom Chapa Dimba Coast region finals

Barcelona from Laikipia will play Dynamos from Kirinyaga as JYSA from Thika take on defending champions Limuru Starlets from Kiambu in the girl’s category.

Last weekend, the coastal chapter of the tournament was held at Bomu Stadium where Shimanzi Youth and Changamwe Ladies were crowned the region’s finest football teams and booked for themselves slots at the national final which will be played on 8th and 9th June at Kinoru Stadium.

Other teams that have already secured places in the national finals are; Ahly and Kitale Queens from Rift Valley, Bishop Njenga Girls and Lugari Blue Saints from Western, Manyatta Boys and Ndhiwa Queens from Nyanza.

Al Ahly players celebrate after winning Chapa Dimba Na Safaricom Coast region finals

The national winner for both the girls’ and boys’ teams will each get KSh 1 million, while the runners up will pocket KSh 500,000.
The regional winner for both the girls’ and boys’ teams will pocket KSh 200,000, while the runners up will take home KSh 100,000. The best player, top scorer and best keeper will each pocket KSh 30,000.

Two boy best players and two girl best players from each region will also be selected to form an all-star team that will be sponsored on a 10-day trip to Spain where they will play La Liga academies and access world-class training facilities.

Turnout in large numbers and cheer your favourite teams at Thika Stadium this weekend. You can also follow the conversation on social media #ChapaDimbaNaSafaricom.

All roads lead to Bomu Stadium this weekend for the Chapa Dimba na Safaricom Coast regional finals

It goes without saying that final of a football tournament is the most exciting part. Nothing beats the feeling of seeing the best teams going up against each other. It’s quite an experience!

The same case applies to Chapa Dimba, a tournament that was started by Safaricom with the aim of transforming the lives of boys and girls, aged between 16 and 20, by giving them a chance to earn from something that they are passionate about – football.

Kitale Queens celebrate after winning the girls’ regional finals (Rift Valley)

1600 teams all over the country registered for the competition. This number has been whittled down at every stage as we draw closer to the national finals which will be played on 8th and 9th June at Kinoru Stadium.

The tournament is currently in the regional finals stage. At this stage, 8 teams, 4 girls’ teams and 4 boys’ teams, take on each other for a chance represent the region in the national finals and walk away with a large sum of money.

The regional finals began in Western where Blue Saints and Bishop Njenga Girls, both from Lugari, were crowned winners. It then moved to Nyanza where Manyatta Boys and Ndhiwa Queens emerged the best of the best in the region.

It then went to Eastern where Supersolico from Mwingi and St Mary’s Ndovea from Makueni secured a chance to represent the region in the finals. Rift Valley was next where Al-Ahly and Kitale Queens secured a chance to represent the region in the finals.

After Western, Nyanza, Eastern and Rift Valley, all roads lead to Bomu Stadium in Changamwe on April 6th and 7th for the Coast regional finals.

The boys’ semis will see Mombasa’s Shimanzi Youth play Kaloleni United while Kilifi’s Matsangaoni boys will take on Maweni United from Malindi. The girls’ semis will have Changamwe Ladies from Mombasa face Kwale Starlets as Matsangaoni Ladies from Kilifi play Malindi’s Solwogidi.

The winner for both the girls’ and boys’ teams will pocket KSh. 200,000, while the runners up will take home KSh. 100,000. The best player, top scorer and best keeper will each pocket KSh. 30,000.

After the Coast, Chapa Dimba will head to Nairobi, Central, North Eastern before culminating in Meru where the where the national winner for both the girls’ and boys’ teams will each get KSh 1 million, while the runners up will pocket KSh. 500,000.

Two boy best players and two girl best players from each region will also be selected to form an all-star team that will be sponsored on a 10-day trip to Spain where they will play La Liga academies and access world-class training facilities.

Turn out in large numbers and support your favourite teams at Bomu Stadium this weekend. You can also follow the conversation on social media #ChapaDimbaNaSafaricom.

Watch the video below and see how Chapa Dimba has transformed Brian Lumumba’s life.

La Liga coaches to scout for talent in Kitui this weekend at Chapa Dimba na Safaricom regional finals

Football is the most popular sport in Kenya, as is the case in many parts of the world. Maybe this is because it requires fewer resources compared to other sports.

Perhaps this might also explain why boys and girls across the country start playing football at a very young age. For some, it’s a hobby while others are keen on harnessing their skills and playing in the world’s biggest leagues such as Spain’s La Liga.

Most young boys and girls are keen on becoming the next big deal, drawing inspiration from the likes of Victor Wanyama, Divock Origi and McDonald Mariga. However, they are often forced to abandon their dreams midway because of one reason or the other.

A young player might dream of representing Kenya at foreign competitions but there’s no one to single them out of a crowd. So, after waiting to be noticed for many years, they give up.

Seeing how dire the situation was, Safaricom unveiled Chapa Dimba as a way of giving back to Kenyans, who have always been a part of their story since the firm was established in 1997.

Safaricom’s Chief Customer Officer Sylvia Mulinge kicks a ball at the Nyanza regional finals of Chapa Dimba on February 10

Through the tournament, the telecom giant aims to transform the lives of boys and girls, aged between 16 and 20, by giving them a chance to earn from something they are very passionate about – football.

Safaricom also seeks to develop football at the grass root level, propel gifted players to the national teams which translates to give hope to young boys and girls.

Chapa Dimba has five stages; Group Stage 1, Group Stage 2, Round of 16, Regional Finals and National Finals. Both boys and girls participate at every stage of the competition.

Nyanza and Western already wrapped up the regional stages of the competition and are training ahead of the national finals to be held in Meru in June.

Western region’s Bishop Njenga Girls and Lugari Blue Saints as well as Manyatta Boys and Ndhiwa Queens from Nyanza won their respective regional finals and secured slot in the national finals.

After Nyanza and Western, all roads lead to Kitui Showground on March 9th and 10th for the Chapa Dimba Eastern region finals where 8 teams, 4 girls’ teams and 4 boys’ teams, will go up against each other for a chance represent the region in the national finals.

The boys’ semis will see Isiolo Young Stars play Triumph boys from Embu while Mwingi’s Super Solico will take on Samba boys from Moyale. The girls’ semis will have Karugwa Queens from Meru Central face Chuka Starlets from Meru South as Marsabit’s Sakuu Queens meet St. Mary’s Ndovea from Makueni.

The winner for both the girls’ and boys’ teams will pocket KSh. 200,000, while the runners up will take home KSh. 100,000. The best player, top scorer and best keeper will each pocket KSh. 30,000.

After Eastern, Chapa Dimba will head to Rift Valley, Coast, Central, North Eastern, Nairobi and culminate in Meru where the national winner for both the girls’ and boys’ teams will each get KSh 1 million, while the runners up will pocket KSh. 500,000.

Two boy best players and two girl best players from each region will also be selected to form an all-star team that will be sponsored on a 10-day trip to Spain where they will play La Liga academies and access world-class training facilities.

Turn out in large numbers and support your favourite teams at Kitui Showground this weekend. You can also follow the conversation on social media #ChapaDimbaNaSafaricom.

Watch the video below and see how Chapa Dimba has transformed Brian Lumumba’s life.