The AfriMusic Song Contest has delivered on its promise to their very first song contest winner, Zanele Cele known as Symphony to her fans, who represents the Kingdom of eSwatini. Following the announcement that Symphony won the title of the very first AfriMusic Song Contest, on the 30th March 2018, arrangements were immediately underway by the directors of AfriMusic, to get Symphony to perform at the Eurovision Song Contest Festival in Lisbon Portugal, on the 12th May 2018.
In addition to the acclaimed winning prize, Symphony had to perform at other several Eurovision events, widening her international exposure.
Upon arrival in Portugal, the directors of the AfriMusic Song Contest and Symphony were immediately welcomed at the OGAE International Event, arranged by Roy van der Merwe, who had worked alongside the AfriMusic team- for the winners first club performance and also providing Symphony with the opportunity to meet other Eurovision Contestants.
This is where she was presented with the opportunity to personally meet and speak to Netta Barzilai from Israel, 2018 winner of the Eurovision Song Contest with her song “TOY”.
Symphony performed two of her songs titled “Sengikhona” and “Chance” at her first event. She was warmly welcomed and cheered by the attendees. “Symphony’s vocals were amazing, her energy captivating and we would be excited to see her again”, said a Eurovision fan attending the OGAE International event in Lisbon. Her charm and stage presence were evident, that she was focused, determined to attract the crowd and seize her moment, in a foreign land.
The main event was broadcasted live on RTP, the public service broadcasting organization of Portugal at 5 pm GMT on the 12th May 2018, where Symphony performed three songs, ending the live show with the AfriMusic Song Contest winning song, “Sengikhona”.
The contest winner had the crowd sing along with her and even proceeded to take a group selfie with the AfriMusic team after officially receiving her winning award, capturing the crowd of 20,000 Eurovision fans behind her.
When asking Suzie Vicente, about her thoughts on the contest winner and the way forward for the AfriMusic Song Contest, she added: “Symphony has been a true ambassador to our brand, for the Kingdom of eSwatini and for Africa as a whole. She has captured the hearts of the Eurovision Song Contest fans and followers and we are so proud to have her as part of the AfriMusic family”.
This project is designed to assist young people to develop musically, which is supposed to positively impact their personal and social outcomes. Those facing personal and economic difficulties, lifelong health-related conditions, tough circumstances or behavioural issues, are often the ones in need of support and who get the most out of creating music.
The project is designed to provide meaningful chances, under difficult circumstances to our youth and Africans as a whole.
Swazi Daily News had an opportunity to briefly interview Symphony about her trip to Portugal and her performances in the Eurovision Song Contest events, “My Eurovision experience was mind-blowing. Everything about it was out of this world; from the hospitality, meeting and greeting sessions, to witnessing the event itself.
The experience has brought me favour and value, I’m respected more now and I have grown as an artist. I can’t wait for what’s yet to come. Thank you AfriMusic”, said Symphony.
Registration for entry into the 2019 AfriMusic Song Contest will open in October 2018.
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For further information on the next editing of the AfriMusic Song Contest please email: info@afrimusicsongcontest.com Or visit the site on www.afrimusicsongcontest.com