Tinashe Kamunakwenje, popularly known as Warrior T, an inmate at Harare Central Prison, has won the Overall Winner Award and the People’s Choice Award at the DreamStar Zimbabwe Season 10 grand finale held at the 7 Arts Theatre in Harare on Saturday night.
Kamunakwenje’s latest victory follows his success in StarBrite Season 12 in December 2024, making him the winner of two major Zimbabwean talent competitions.
Speaking ahead of the finale, Kamunakwenje said pursuing music while in prison had given him solace, helped shape his future and enabled him to develop a skill he intends to use after his release.
Deputy Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Honourable Emily Jesaya, who was Guest of Honour, commended the organisers for providing young people with platforms to develop their talents and pursue productive careers amid the drug and substance abuse scourge.
“Amid the drug and substance abuse scourge that has severely affected our youth, such initiatives give young people a platform to do something productive with their lives while also affording them an opportunity to become superstars,” Jesaya said.
The Season 10 competition attracted more than 500 contestants from all 10 provinces, with 10 finalists selected for the grand finale.
DreamStar Zimbabwe was established in 2015 by the China-Zimbabwe Exchange Centre and is jointly organised by the centre and Jacaranda Culture Media Corporation.
The competition focuses on talent identification and promotion, mentorship, skills development and creating opportunities for young Zimbabwean artists.
Kamunakwenje’s success also highlights the role of arts and creative programmes in providing inmates with opportunities to develop skills and prepare for reintegration into society.
Source: ZPCS …channel.
