My Star 2012 winner Sharon aims to go places

NNASARETHA KGAMANYANE
Correspondent | Tuesday July 24, 2012 00:00

 

Sharon was one of the most popular and idolised contestants whose name was called and is still on the lips of most fans across the country.  The young lady, who completed her education at Motswedi Junior Secondary School, said that her passion for music crystallised when she started singing at the age of 12 years.  She said after completing her junior school she then joined popular Jazz icon, Ndingo Johwa, as his backup singer.

'I later joined Banjo Mosele as a backup vocalist.  I had long wanted to have my own album and when the chance came I grabbed it.  I entered the competition (My Star) because I knew that I could make it and gain exposure. I knew too that entering this competition was going to give me all that I wanted,' she said with a smile.  Shazz, as her fans and friends fondly call her, said she knew that the competition was going to give her the platform to launch her singing career.

Like other contestants, she said that her journey in the competition was not easy as she went through many challenges.  'I had both good and bad times in the competition where I had many good times than bad ones. The bad times were the ones when people would often mock and insult us on stage or when they saw us walking on the streets.  Some of them would say nasty things about us on facebook that I sometimes went home crying.  However, that did not demoralise me, but rather kept me strong and going,' she said.The Masunga-born star said even though it was a tough journey, she is excited that she won the competition.  Although she had been in the hot seat a few times, she felt unsettled because of the voting system, as only a few people can afford to vote as many times just to keep their favourite contestants in the race.

Sharon was pleasantly surprised when she was announced My Star 2012 winner with 23,777 votes while her runner-up Ayanda had 19,850 votes.  She expressed her joy at being given a chance to study a course related to something closer to her heart (music).  'I am overwhelmed that I did not just win cash but I have also been given an opportunity to study, which is a rare thing for many people like me.  Not everyone is lucky enough to get a second chance to study; so I feel extremely blessed,' she noted.Sharon's mother, Cristina Sibonge, who was clearly thrilled, told Showbiz that she felt proud that she has been able to groom her talented daughter into a respectful and talented young woman.  She said that she always knew that Shazz had much talent and supported her throughout the competition.'Even though I did not give her money, I gave her inspiration.  When she was down I encouraged her to pull up her socks and put all she had into the competition because I believed in her.  I have always known that she is vocally gifted,' the elated mother added.