Rising Afro-pop singer Alyn Sano has qualified for the finals of the third edition of the Voice Afrique Francophone music competition being held in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The singer made it to the finals following a great performance during the competition’s battles held in January this year.

Sano, who is the lone Rwandan among the competition’s 12 finalists, told The New Times that going through to the finals of such a continental music competition is not something that came easily, but rather proof that Rwanda has got talent.

"I am really happy for this prestigious honour. This means that I have a lot of chances to bring the prize home and I am confident to do so. This is great news for me and my fans and Rwandan music in general,” she said in a telephone interview on Sunday, May 3.

At the very beginning, Sano was among the six Rwandan artistes including Ariel Uwayezu, commonly known as Ariel Wayz, who represented the country at the competition’s third season.

The finals of the competition were supposed to have happened last week, according to the singer, but were postponed until further notice due to the new coronavirus pandemic.

"I knew that I passed since January but I had to wait for the competition organisers’ approval so I can share the news with my fans,” she said.

The winner of the third season of The Voice Afrique will receive a cash prize (Grand Prix), as well as the release of a debut single and music video.

Hosted in South Africa, the Voice Afrique Francophone is the French-speaking African version of the reality singing competition ‘The Voice’.

Every season, four coaches train singers from across the continent and occasionally perform with them. The competitors are selected in auditions where the coaches listen to the auditioning contestant without watching them.

The competition comprises five editions including, the blinds, battles, knock-outs, semi-finals and the finale.