Where is our A-Academy?

Eric Moyo, a former contestant.

FOR millions, it was Zimbabwe’s first opportunity to express talent in a local showcase that believed in local talent. It came at a time when many Zimbabweans were questioning if they had what it takes to make it in life and certainly, in the arts. The A-Academy became a weekly point of inspiration, celebrating ordinaries becoming extra ordinaries, locals becoming local superstars. And it gave us all the hopefuls and everyone else in between dreaming of Fame.

“It was a scary time and to be quite frank, most people were cynical that there was any talent out there but, we believed and received and, just look at what came out; Idols winners, an Oscar at the Academy Awards, celebrities who today are on Pan African stages….We proved it to ourselves as Zimbabweans,” added Gary Thompson, the shows founder.

The academy abruptly ended after the difficulties with the Zimbabwe dollar. But, it left with us a sense of where has the talent gone? In this case, where has the talent show gone?

Notables like Eric Moyo who’s career exploded after finishing runner-up to the irrepressible Jonah Sithole in Season one. Mukhululi Bebe, who joined Joyous Celebration and went on to create hits in South Africa and Zimbabwe. How about incredible Prudence from Bulawayo, whose life of challenges rose to fame from the Academy and who became the centre of a feature that won an Academy Award.

“So where is the A- Academy?” people have asked. Producers of the show are certain that there really is talent out there. Keep posted.