TALENT SEARCH SA

ARTISTS WITH A PURPOSE

In 2017 COPPERSTONE started the Talent Search South Africa competition to not only give upcoming artists a platform to showcase their talent, but also to do good. The purpose of the competition is to assist talented acts with the potential for commercial growth and to break through into the entertainment industry. With the competition our aim is to guide contestants through the process of self-discovery in which individuals acknowledge their interest and motivation to become exceptional in a specific area.

We also believe in creating Artists with a Purpose. Talent Search SA is not only about finding the country’s freshest, undiscovered talent, but also about giving back to the community. We want to assist the country’s up-and-coming talent to use their “instruments” for doing good and to bring awareness to areas that affect us most, including the safety of children, cancer, human rights, anti-bullying and education. It is COPPERSTONE’s philosophy to treat others the way we wish to be treated. We have long lived by the mantra, “doing well by doing good.” This philosophy is demonstrated through our core values and involvement in charitable efforts. Since COPPERSTONE was established, charity events and supporting NGO’s and other charitable causes have been at the core of what we do.

Now more than ever the world needs talent to uplift and inspire. And we want to showcase it!

We promote a process of self-discovery in which individuals acknowledge their interest and motivation to become exceptional in a specific area. We take a personal touch and educate each participant differently so we can skyrocket their strengths and launch them to be successful in their field, whilst providing essential tools to assist in the further development of their career.

Contestants must perform various challenges during the run of the competition: doing charity drives, raising funds for causes, designing and planning their own events and/or online gigs and marketing drives, and establishing and promoting themselves as a brand. They receive support throughout the year from incredible established artists and industry professionals.

Talent Search SA is not a reality show, it’s a competition where we work with and mould fresh and up-and-coming talent for a career in the entertainment industry. A year of hard work, marketing drives, charity campaigns, performances, eliminations and master-classes will assist in crafting a career in a very saturated industry.

The competition is completely inclusive. Anyone is genuinely welcome to enter and showcase their talent. We are also the biggest independent Talent competition in the country. Not only do we encourage, educate, inspire, excite, and explore potential while instilling good work ethics and the importance of honorable conduct, but we also give away amazing prizes for the winner! Prizes up for grabs are worth more than R100 000, and includes holidays, pamper and beauty items, marketing tools, as well as a management and publicity contract.

ENTER NOW!

After a hiatus of 2 years thanks to Covid, entries for next year’s competition will open soon! Link will be available in 2022.

1. Click on the link to access the entry page
2. Click on 1 ticket and “Checkout”
3. The registration/entry page will open
4. Complete the entry form, upload your ID/Drivers and a clear photo of yourself
5. Read and accept the rules and regulations of the competition
6. Send us a video recording of your entry performance, less than 5MB directly to the email address or via WeTransfer to the same email address
7. You will receive a mail from us after your entry was submitted
8. We will be in touch with all successful contestants after the close-off of this year’s entries
9. Good luck!

NOTHING GREAT COMES EASY

Music is a major form of response to the world. It is often an attempt to capture an aspect of the world, to draw attention to something about it, to comment on it, to present a surprising or fresh angle on it, to represent it for the sake of exploring something about it, or enjoying or celebrating it. Music and art can motivate and encourage those who’s spirits are down and need a lift – but at the same time continued commitment to those causes are essential, especially when dealing with vulnerable children who have experienced abandonment at a very young age.

It’s easy to dismiss the hard work and commitment behind greatness as mere talent, but we don’t realise how much is behind becoming a top performer. The resilience, the mental toughness, the endless hours of practice… If you want to become a superstar, the odds are not in your favour. And frankly, the deals are bad. But if you want to make a living in the entertainment industry, it is doable. It does mean you may need to maintain 2 or 3 jobs, learn new instruments, better your craft, work on new skills, represent and market yourself, and be willing to perform when you don’t want to. Success necessitates sacrifice.

If we were conscious about how hard masters work on their craft we would feel ashamed for ever thinking that natural talent alone is the reason for their success. When people called Michelangelo’s “Pieta” a work of genius, he replied “If people knew how hard I had worked to gain my mastery, it wouldn’t seem so wonderful at all”. Everyone that has made it to the top in any field had to spend endless hours learning and refining their skill. No exception. None.  Even Mozart, who have been wrongly popularised as a genius that simply “got it”, worked extensively on his craft from an early age.

If you don’t love something, then don’t do it. But if the entertainment industry is in your blood, give it a shot and enter. And the hard work will pay off. But the competition is not only hard work- it is forming bonds with like-minded people, being exposed to industry professionals, winning great rewards throughout the journey and having fun along the way. If this is your passion, the best way to predict your future is to create it.

WINNERS

Looking to book an artist for your next event? Who better than the winners of our competition? They live for music and love performing. Book these incredible entertainers now at info@c-stone.co.za!

LEBO SEKHOTO (WINNER 2019)

The 2019 Talent Search SA winner is the super talented vocalist Lebo Sekhoto! After a nail-biting Finale at the beautiful Indaba Hotel, Spa & Conference Centre, Lebo proved to be an unstoppable force and clenched this year’s title.

Lebo’s first brush with music, at a very young age, was when she got the chance to sing for Lebo M. Even though she only sang the intro, being exposed to music in such a powerful way, “One By One”, fueled her passion for music.

A gentle soul, kind hearted person but with the spirit of a lion, her aspirations landed her in Switzerland where she began performing at banquets, and corporate events in and around Montreux.

Some of Lebo’s highlights in her career thus far includes being featured at the Montreux Jazz Festival for the Miriam Makeba tribute in the iconic Auditorium Stravinski in Switzerland, opening for The Narrow, featuring on “I Don’t Get it” (MiddleGround) that was picked up by Soul Candi and collaborating with a swing/jazz band (Jazz Company). She also opened the Huawei Kday. With her winning this year’s Talent Search SA title, there seems to be no stop to Lebo Sekhoto!

TONI MNGOMA (WINNER 2018)

For Toni Mngoma, the definition of a dream delayed is not a destiny denied. For as long as she can remember the only thing she’s ever wanted to do was stand in front of an audience and sing. And this soulful singer is showing no sign of giving up on that dream anytime soon. “My earliest memories of my singing aspirations, was during an innocent conversation with my mother. I was 4 years old when she asked me what I wanted to be in life. My confident response was “Brenda Fassie”, says Toni (29).

Toni’s debut single “Touch the Sky”, written and produced by Daniel Baron, made waves on radio stations in 2019 across the country. She is also becoming a force to be reckoned with as an MC and Corporate events performer.

Her favourite quote is: “Magic happens when you step out of your comfort zone. For when you let go of your fears, you automatically start operating from of place of love, power and sound mind”.

ABBOTT SKY (WINNERS 2017)

Our first Talent Search winners, Abbott Sky has been entertaining audiences for years now with their exuberant and thrilling live performances. Their incredible harmonies and ability to adapt to any crowd or occasion, makes them a crowd favourite at any event.

For both Rohan and Nidene education is very important. They both pushed through no matter the circumstances, continued to study, qualified and continued their dream of a music career with their best friend.

You can expect to see Rohan and Nidene performing live at various events and festivals, corporate functions and private parties across the country.

They have always believed in giving back to the community. For them it is part of something bigger than themselves- it is when you decide to give back to people in need in an unselfish way, and expect nothing in return.