Despite showing off a smooth, neat seventies Motown look, the two Kings of cool from Rwanda in the Tusker Academy were unfortunate to land themselves on a new expanded probation list of five. The Rwandan hunks were joined on the dreaded list by Illuminata, who is new perennial probation member after Nina’s exit, Nganga the popular Kenyan contestant and Caroline, the Ugandan who will spend her first week facing the worry of going home. This comes after Nina Bola became the first Rwandan to be handed a ticket home during last Saturday’s eviction show. Christian, who performed a rendition of Stevie Wonder’s My Darling Love, had his worst performance so far but did not help matters by replying to Judge Juliana’s remark carelessly, drawing Judge Ian’s wrath. When Singer Juliana told him that she had not felt anything from his performance, Christian responded, “It doesn’t matter.”Judge Ian who was irate chose to shelve his expected salvo at his performance at instead ironically chided him. “That attitude will take you far!” Christian’s half murmured comment will be seen as deplorable especially after being saved twice by the academy audience and in some quarters might pass up for a newly found arrogance. Alfa’s rendition of the legendary Motown group Temptations’ popular hit, My Girl, came short of his initial performances because he often went off key and failed to adlib some of the song’s lyrics, which became his downfall. However, his wonderful stage performance raised his show a little bit higher. This week’s probation list will prove to be a teaser especially since only four contestants will be eligible to save a probation nominee. The fan’s vote is likely to be bitterly fought over by Nganga and Christian while the teachers will most likely be for Caroline to take. This leaves the eviction slot wide one, more especially because it will be difficult and dramatic for the four contestants not on probation to vote among three nominees for eviction. It remains to be seen who among the fans, faculty or the contestants will be given an opportunity to save two contestants instead of one, which is likely to throw the race for eviction wide open. Meanwhile, the best way for Rwandan fans to make sure that our contingent is unharmed is to vote both Rwandan contestants just in case it comes down to the fans. Otherwise, the challenges of live performance have clearly come out as the weak point for almost all contestants, and it remains to be seen how the singers fair after the increased tension caused by three evictions, along probation list as well as the closing down to the final days when a winner will emerge to take all the glory. Ends
