Zimgreats.com: The talented, vivicious and delectable Kudzai Sevenzo has been confirmed as Digital Channel MNET’ s Studio 53 presenter for Zimbabwe

after coming tops out of 105 hopefuls who included various local television and radio personalities who hoped to take a cherry off the Jazz/soul musician.

I met her yesterday at a Harare hotel where she broke the news.

“I can’t explain how I felt when I got the news, I can’t say it in words. But I have to admit it was like swimming with big fish,” said Sevenzo who looked stunning in a white draped top and matching jeans.

Though she was filled with emotion as anyone would after grabbing a big opportunity and struggled to express how she felt I could see it written all over her face. She spotted this big smile that I last saw after the release of her debut album On a day like this, which she released after reaching the semi finals of MNET’s Project Fame.

“They phoned me about two weeks ago from MNET Johannesburg and said, we are delighted to let you know that you were the top on our list and we are delighted to work with you. I was hoping they would phone me and they did and I was very happy.” Said Sevenzo with a chuckle.

Though things have worked for her she at first took a casual approach to the MNET auditions after the got the news from a friend but after an announcement on television her inner self seems to have told her, to just go for it.

“I am an opportunist, I just went out there and grabbed it but I was really determined for it,” she said.

On the day of the auditions she was handed over a script with presentation scenarios and she duly settled for the one, which talked after a Ghanaian designer.

It read, “The CEO of Alabah, Araba Hackman studied fashion at the American College in London and graduated with BA honours. She returned home in Ghana in 98 and says her Ghanaian background has given her the unique ability to fuse strong blocks of colours with ethnic details such as hemp, silk and mud cloth. Studio 53 caught up with the rather elusive Araba Hackman.”

But did she have anything particular up her sleeve that could have given her the urge.

“A lot of things did the trick but I really wanted this audition to happen but I think they saw my talent on the camera. I can’t really pin point but I think the experience that I have in front of the camera could have come handy,” said Sevenzo who also revealed her ability to speak in French.

And what now for her music career and an album which says she is busy finalizing.

“It quite a plus with the nature of this post. It’s an opportunity to sell myself. I consider myself an entertainer. It’s actually an extension of who I am.

The album is going to happen, abandoning music will be the last thing that will happen.”

Sevenzo will be going to Johannesburg today for training at MNET headquarters in Randburg.

I asked about her wish list as she takes up her new challenge.

“I should be able to promote Zimbabwe and it beautiful places and showcase many of those that people can visit. I promise good news on how rich Zimbabwe is culturally be it Shona, Ndebele or Tonga,” Sevenzo.

And by the way all you Studio 53 fans out there, brace up for a bargain because Sevenzo is indeed Tonga.

Studio 53 is a weekly half-hour lifestyle show that showcases cultural events, historical places, music, art, design, fashion and celebrity personalities from across the African continent

Simplisio Chirinda
www.zimgreats.com