KELVIN KACHINGWE, Lusaka
ACTRESS, writer and photography model Cassie Kabwita has been confirmed as one of the judges on the upcoming television show Zed Factor Talent, which is the Zambian version of Simon Cowell’s American Idols.
Cassie, who has featured in Love Games and Guilty but is probably better known in Tanzania where she has featured in movies like All for Love, No One Out, Familia Yangu, Sweet Revenge and Roho Sita, joins American-based singer Sylvie Chibiliti as one of the judges on the show.
There is also a chance that Scarlet Mwana Okondewa may join the judging panel of Zed Factor. If she joins, she will be bringing something new to the show. A soul, afro-jazz, modern jazz and reggae singer, she is one of those who like to play live music in an industry where lip-synching seems to be the norm.
She has performed at various entertainment houses, private and corporate functions and media events, having started out as the in-house weekend entertainment at Lusaka’s Arabian Nights Restaurant at Arcades, performing on Fridays alongside two guitarists from the band E’na.
She then went on to perform on her own on several occasions, and then formed the band Black Note that has accompanied her since. The band comprises Israel Kaputula on lead guitar, James Sakala on rhythm guitar, Nzovwa Chambaka on bass, Lazarus Zulu on keyboards, Eston Mwape on drums and Mwila Mutale and Suzanna Chulu on backing vocals.
Otherwise, Zed Factor is expected to welcome categories like poetry, singing, rapping/beat boxing, stand-up comedy, acting, art through drawing and digital art and playing of an instrument.
The prize is US$2000, a trip to New York to showcase Talent at the Mwape Peer Awards in September 2015, mentorship on talent, three-year contract deal, ownership of a channel on VEVO, ambassadorship of the Charity Role Model Zambia and helping other affiliated charities and a trip to London to showcase talent at the UK Zambians Independence Celebrations.
The second and third runner-ups will win a trip to South Africa, mentorship on talent, three-year contract deal, ownership of a channel on VEVO.