Dundastar Season II promises to be ‘bigger and better’

After a shaky start, the organisers of the talent search show Dundastar are promising that the second edition will be much bigger and better to make the show one of the best in the country.As curtains drew on the first season, Herman Ngoga, one of the organisers of Dundastar said that despite having struggled in the first phases of season one of the talent show with few sponsors, season two will be more outstanding with many sponsors promising to come on board. “We are satisfied with how this one ended but are looking at making Dundastar Season Two massive. We have been able to learn lessons where things did not go well and we will work on those and repackage the second season in a bigger and better way,” Ngoga said.Following the success of the first season, MTN has also vowed to take over the second season.MTN’s Alain Numa said that the telecom giant will consider sponsoring the second season of Dundastar to make it bigger given its potential. The group came on board in the later stages of the contest, but Numa says MTN will look at fully sponsoring the second edition.The Ecole Congolaise-based Snipers Dance Crew were the overall winners of the dance group category, walking away with a cash prize of Rwf500, 000 on top of gift hampers from MTN, while Teta Kananga won the singing category and Jean-Luc Ishimwe took the solo dance category prize.The Snipers beat off stiff competition from Jabba Junior, Sick City Entertainment, Hunters Yankees and Krest Crew, after displaying exquisite dance moves that left the judges impressed.Teta, on the other hand, shrugged off rivalry from Khloe Mutesi, Rachael Uwineza, Heavenly Siblings and Carine Uwamahoro, who pulled out of the competition at the last minute.The 21-year old sang “All I could do was cry” by Etta James in the version of Beyoncé and Aretha Franklin’s “Respect”.“I am excited. It is unbelievable because I came into this aware that the competition was tight,” the bubbly aspiring singer said.Teta walked away with a cash prize of Rwf250, 000 and a Blackberry Curve as well as a recording contract courtesy of MTN. Ishimwe won the solo dance category after impressively dancing his way through the judges’ hearts with Michael Jackson’s moon walk and crotch-grabbing dance strokes.All contestants had two attempts to impress the judges, which meant that at least there was a chance to make up for what did not go well in the initial performance.According to Cynthia Umurungi, one of the judges, the panel considered, among other things, stage presence for the dancers and singers, natural talent as well as the reaction from the crowd.There were four judges and the winner had to have at least a nod from three of the judges. “We factored in many things, including how the contestants have evolved from the time the talent search began. The ones we picked have really showed that they have what it takes to go all the way,” said Umurungi.The Executive Secretary of the National Youth Council, Alphonse Nkuranga, who was the guest of honour, commended the organisers for giving the youth the opportunity to showcase their talents.“The winners tonight have had their dreams come true and we encourage all of you with dreams to go out there and pursue them,” Nkuranga told the youth who attended the show.The grand finale was crowned with a performance by Jay Polly who performed “Hisha Munda”, “Gira ikintu umbwira”, “Ikizere” and “Deux foi Deux.”

Leisure

Dundastar Season II promises to be ‘bigger and better’