Maria McCloy
Okay, okay. we all know The Shell Road to Fame or The Hell Road To Shame, as some call it is a clever marketing thing from Shell, but the crowd who got in for free to the Sun City Superbowl last saturday had a damn good time. It was packed, and there was no polite sitting and clapping for a crowd who jumped up, cheered and danced the whole way through.
None of the contestants was awarded a record contract by a record label but the audience gave most of the entrants (in dance, traditional, gospel and pop categories) a warm welcome. And shouted even louder when former Shell Road to Fame finalist Sharon Dee was joined (making yet another surprise appearance, but this time planned in advance) by Brenda Fassie in a rendition of You make me feel like a natural woman.
South Africa needs to grow its own talent said Selimathunzis Zam Nkosi. And no one proved this more than the presenters, because instead of our cheesy Simunye friends or some guy from a United States soap reciting dumb lines as in the case of most beauty pageants we proved that our presenters aint copying anyone. its them the audiences wanted, and its them who got the crowd going all night.
Vinoliah Mashego was as gregarious and funny as ever. The blonde bombshells short black dress and stilettos didnt stop her antics: Azanye Shell Road to Fame, Azanye! yelled the Jam Alley presenter. the crowd thundered back, just like they stamped their feet when she ordered them to. But Selimathunzis Zam Nkosi and Dosto Noge were not having that, they got they crowd to shout out their slogan Dugu Dugu. Lets take a guess which are two of South Africas most popular TV shows?
V Mash was joined by Noge in announcing the judges. Down from the stage they came and got right close to Boyzie Cekwana, Nomsa Manaka and the rest: the shortest guy in the music industry with the biggest voice for Mkhize, Thata jy is nie a Kaffir, Thata for Arthur, Azanye Mama wethu, Azanye for Sibongile Khumalo.
Vinoliah carried on as she does on TV: when Mandela came out of prison and they asked are you going to kiss your wife tonight, Mr Mandela,what did he reply? That will be decided by the African National Congress. Or when she was speaking to Mkhize in Zulu, she teased: let them understand what were saying. They must learn our languages. well translate later!
No memorised lines from dreadlocked cuties Zam and Tee Kay they just spoke off the cuff. Never mind if the judges werent ready to give results yet. Dosto, Vinoliah and Zam just led the crowd in a traditional song or The Fugees killing me softly.
The winners: RnB crooners U-Turn won in the pop category; Wagon of Fire got the gospel prize; the Juventics bagged the dance category and Thamela Maskandi traditional. They should be able to move on in their music careers with the prize money of R15 000 and the exposure.
CAPTION: Feeling like natural women: London-bound Sharon Dees last South African performance and Brenda Fassies usual surprise appearance
CAPTION3: I wish this jerk would just put me down: Supermodel Kate Moss in the arms of Virgin boss and millionaire Richard Branson at the Cape Town harbour this weekend. They were in town for the launch of Bransons modelling agency, Storm. Kate had to model. She walked down the runway twice, but you couldnt see her face because her hair was all over the show.