Kemodisa wins inaugural Just Gospel TV show
Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Tuesday August 2, 2016 18:00
She walked away with the first prize of P200,000 in the show whose grand finale was postponed weeks back following the tragic death of the TV show executive producer Robert Muzila and presenter Thabo Dube. The duo perished in a horrific car accident, along the A1 road near Artesia.
There was a good turn-up as people came to witness the first winner of Just Gospel TV show. Kemodisa melted the hearts of Batswana and became the cream of the crop, after showcasing great talent to outclass her competitors.
The 27-year-old was crowned the winner with 75,772 votes, followed by Lechani Botepe,17 with 13,894 votes, Petrus Leungo (34) with 6,148 votes and Bame Maoto, also 17, with 3,635 nods.
Besides the prize money, the Kanye-born singer would have a recording deal and a tour around the country. In an interview with Showbiz, Kemodisa expressed gratitude towards her family, friends and supporters for believing in her and voting for her to become the winner.
“I am still surprised and no words can describe my feelings at the moment. But I give all the glory to the Lord, my fans, family and friends for they made my dream come to reality,” she said.
Kemodisa disclosed that the money is going to change her life and give her an opportunity to explore her talent.
“I am currently unemployed and wanted to change my situation by winning the Just Gospel TV show competition. I am now blessed and the Lord is on my side,” she said.
Member of Parliament for Ngamiland,Thato Kwerepe, thanked the producers of the Just Gospel TV show for establishing the programme. He added that the television programme is in line with the president’s plea for citizens to create employment.
“I see that a lot of young people were involved in the programme, some as workers and others as contestants, which is a great initiative,” he said. Kwerepe indicated that the initiative seeks to unearth singing talent. He further said it focuses on youth empowerment and development while at the same time promoting gospel music. He encouraged the business community to support and offer sponsorship for such good initiatives.
“The show won an award in Pretoria, South Africa for beingAfrica’s Best Gospel TV programme at the Trumpet Africa Gospel Music Awards (TAGMA) still with no sponsor. I would like to encourage private companies, the business community, individuals and the government to support such programmes because they bring positive results. They take the youth off the streets, create employment, empower and promote talent,” he said.
“I applaud the contestants for making it this far. To the runner-ups, do not despair; know that the programme introduced you to the music industry. Music promoters and the public are aware of your talent and they will support your talent,” he added.
He congratulated the winner and encouraged her to invest wisely to improve her life.
For her part Kgosi Kealetile Moremi of Batawana expressed the same sentiments with Kwerepe and applauded the producers of the gospel show for introducing a programme which targets talented young Batswana. She said Batswana should support local shows and projects aimed at developing the youth.
The executive producer of the Just Gospel TV show, Keorapetse Muzila said the gospel competition is geared at unearthing gospel talent amongst the youth. She disclosed that the competition started in August last year and attracted over 400 hopefuls who auditioned around the country. Muzila appealed for sponsorship from the business community and individuals .
She revealed that the second season will start in the second week of August. Hip-hop gospel artist from Swaziland, Sandile Khumalo, also known as Switch mesmerised revellers with his performance. Switch shared the stage with Botswana gospel legends such as Winnie Mathaba, Vusi Mtokufa and Tebbie.