THIS year’s Rise and Shine Talent Search is in full swing, and it aims to unearth hidden talent in youth that are mostly unemployed and dejected.

Organised by the youth development organisation, Nguwe Wedwa, the search is open to poets, dancers, singers and music producers. The contest was started by Mbongeleni Mzimela to discover new talent in and around the South Coast. The auditions and briefing sessions were held in July, and the artists’ workshop will be held on December 1. The final leg will be hosted in January next year.

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“This is an annual programme that was started in 2019, and our aim is to discover unemployed youth who have both talent and skill in the music and arts scene. Our focus is uplifting young people from rural areas who have been told that their dreams are invalid because of where they were born, and we want to change that mindset,” said Mbongeleni.

The search’s footprint covers Umgababa, Lovu, Umkomaas, Nkwali, Magabheni, Umthwalume, and Umlazi. He said these areas have issues that affect the youth, such as drugs, alcoholism, sexual assault, teenage pregnancy and the high rate of young people affected and living with HIV/Aids.

“We want to see change; we want the youth to be active, open-minded and indulge themselves in initiatives like ours so we see positive outcomes in these communities,” said Mbongeleni.

Nguwe Wedwa is registered as a non-profit organisation, and Mbongeleni said he is looking for partners and sponsors to push the programme forward. He can be contacted on 078 350 6267.

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