Three outstanding young Gambian artists have been awarded prizes for winning this year’s Rising Stars Africa TV talent show.

The show, which is in its third season, was set up by Rising Stars Africa in 2016 to promote and nurture young Gambian talents. 

Saffie Josephine Jatta, the overall winner, received D100, 000, a certificate and other gifts while runners up Sharurya Ganesh Shinde, Amadou Taal and Sainabou Touray also received certificates and various other gifts from the show’s sponsors. 

Speaking at a news briefing held at Metzy, Mariam Bangz, the organiser of the event, described the awardees as talented young people.

“Indeed, the winner of season 3, who we are honouring today, is a young incredible Gambian talent who has indeed broken through the glass ceiling of success. 

“Saffie Josephine Jatta is a young banker and member of the Winners of Chapel church. 

“The first runner-up is Sharurya Ganesh Shinde, second runner-up, Amadou Taal and Sainabou Touray as third runner-up. 

“The first runner up has received an air conditioner from Eone Electronics. The second runner-up took home a smart 42inches television set also given by E-Zone, while the third runner-up received a smart phone and power bank from Unique Solutions,” Ms Bangz said.

“Indeed, the show was highly competitive with 20 incredibly talented contestants,” she said, adding “they performed their geniuses through drama and dancing, poetry and singing and it was wonderful.”

“The winner, Josephine, has been awarded with D100,000. The half of the money is for her music production. 

“In November, our company would contact her to go and pay for her production. A very promising singer, she is now under Bangz Entertainment for two years, which will fully support her to release her first eagerly awaited album in the new year. 

“The company is ready to take responsibility of any expenditures that might come as a result of her music production.” 

Reporting by Adama Makasuba