Aspiring afro-pop singer Thando ‘Micky’ Shange hopes her first national contest win will help kick-start her music career.

The 19-year-old from Thembeni claimed the Mahindra Fusion Fest title at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria in March, beating performers from across the country to win R30 000.

To get to the final, Thando had to film a performance in a Mahindra XUV 3X0 and upload it to social media. Without access to one of the cars, she reached out to CMH Multifranchise Ballito, which agreed to help her.

“I believe in manifestation. From the moment I saw the competition announcement, I told myself that the opportunity was mine,” said Thando, who performed her unreleased song, Finally.

“Winning the Mahindra Fusion Fest gave me a glimpse of what my life could look like if I fully invest in my music career.”

Thando has dreamed of being a singer since childhood and regularly performed in her church and school choir while growing up. One of her favourite pastimes was singing with friends in the ‘Florida’s Got Talent Show’, which they created and named after the street where they grew up in Thembeni.

Now, she is ready to step onto the professional stage.

Thando thanked CMH Multifranchise Ballito for its assistance.