10 Insane Facts about East Africa’s Got Talent 2019 Show

East Africa’s Got talent is Here. After years of watching amazing talents from the two biggest shows in the world, America’s Got Talent and Britain’s Got Talent, 2019 is the year for East Africa. Officially launched on April 9th, 2019, in Kenya, East Africa will finally have a taste of the global talent search show Got Talent.

The auditions were held in the four countries which include Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda. The auditions were done on all the four countries between the months of May to June.

With the First show having aired yesterday on Citizen TV, let us look at the 10 insane facts you did not know about the show.

10. The Show is a part of the Got Talent Franchise Founded by Simon Cowell

Simon Cowell is a television producer and talent show, judge famously known for his critical comments in Britain and American’s Got Talents. He was born in 1959 in London, England and after a long journey in the music career and producing the hit British TV show pop idol and American idol in 2002; he set up a company known as SYCOtv.

The company created the television shows X-factor and American’s Got Talent. The Got Talent shows run across more than 58 countries and East Africa’s Got Talent will be a part of that franchise.

9. The Show is Sponsored by Several Companies

Safaricom is the main sponsor of East Africa’s got talent partnering with Fremantle and SYCO Entertainment. The official film production company is South African film Production Company Rapid Blue and Cloud Media Group from Tanzania.  Coca Cola and Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) are also major partners of the show.

8. The Auditions Were Only Held In Four Countries

East Africa is made up of 10 countries. However, the auditions were held in only four countries Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania. Although South Sudan and Burundi had participated before in other East Africa’s shows, they are not a part of this talent show.

Nonetheless, even if there was no specified reason behind their absence, there was no restriction to their citizens auditioning in the four participant countries.

7. The Show Allowed Online Pre-auditions

Being open to all ages and gender, the auditions were held across major cities and towns in the four countries. However, for those who were unable to attend the pre-auditions, they were given a chance to do so online by sending a short video clip of their act. They were required to send the clip via a WhatsApp number or website link provided by Rapid Blue production.

6. The Show Will Run For 10 Weeks

Unlike other Got Talent shows around the world, East Africa’s Got Talent will only air for 10 weeks. The 10 episodes will be divided into three sections enabling the contestants to go through three phases before getting to the finals.

The auditions shows will be held and shot separately in the four countries. The judges will choose only 30 successful contestants from each country to proceed to the next round. That round is known as ‘Theatre audition’, and will be held in Nairobi, Kenya.  The best of the best will be able to progress to the semi-finals.

Note that, the qualified contestants from Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda will travel to Kenya where the live shows will be held.

5. The Four Judges Will Represent the Four Countries

To bring about some balance, the contestants will go before a panel of four judges representing the four countries. The judges include a veteran Kenyan journalist and TV presenter Jeff Koinange, Ugandan TV host and famously known as a host in East Africa’s Tusker Project Fame show, radio presenter and actor Gaetano Kagwa, Tanzania’s musician Vanessa Mdee, and Rwandese DJ Makeda Mahadeo.

In addition, the host of the show in the three phases will be none other than Ugandan comedian and actress Anne Kansiime.

4. The Show Will Run Simultaneously in the Four Countries

For the viewers to enjoy the show without discrimination, the show will run simultaneously in the four countries.  It will exclusively air on a Kenyan channel known as Citizen TV, Cloud Media in Tanzania, NBS TV in Uganda and Rwanda Broadcasting Agency. The show will be airing on every week on Sunday evening.

Note that, for those who don’t get the chance to watch the aired shows, you can be able to watch them the next day on YouTube.

3. Only 18 contestants will Make It to the Finals

Although over 21,000 contestants from the four countries took part in the auditions, only 18 contestants will reach the finals. The judges, as well as the public, will have a say in determining who goes home and who stays.

Just like the other Got Talent shows all over the world, the winner will be determined by the votes from the public.

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2. There will be Various Showcased Talents

Apart from the famous East Africa Tusker Project fame that aired several years ago and only concentrated on music, East Africa is different. The show will showcase a variety of talents from singing, dancing, acrobats, magic, comedy, stunts, among others.

All this will be performed by different people of all ages from the four countries. Everyone will be competing to get to the finals and finally be the winner.

1. The Winner Will Go Home With $50,000 (Kshs. 5,000,000)

Just like other Got Talent Shows around the world, the winner of East Africa will also go home with a grand prize. The prize will be $ 50,000 which is equivalent to 5 million in Kenya shillings. The winner will not only have to impress the judges but also win over the hearts of the audience at the live shows and at home. The contestant with the majority of votes from the four countries will be the winner of the first show of East Africa’s Got Talent.