Girl duo Charly na Nina are highly interested in supporting young female artists with various talents to thrive.
The initiative, which started in March, came at a time the duo was looking at what they would contribute to the empowerment and development of Rwanda’s women in the creative industry, as part of the celebrations of Women’s Month celebrated last month.
"We love to see young women’s talents grow and, as female artistes, we feel we owe them a responsibility to show them that there is so much they can do with their talents. God gives you a talent for a reason and you always have to make the very best out of it,” said Charly.
Charly na Nina speak to the young female artists who participated in the challenge-courtesy
Through their initiative, the duo and their new music management, Dope Apps, organised a talent challenge dubbed ‘Lavender One Million Challenge’, during which budding young female artists would showcase their talents in a one-minute video before the winners were announced on Tuesday, April 5, in an eventful finale that had cash prizes up for grabs.
During the challenge, contestants showcased various talents including dancing, singing, fashion, painting, and acting among others.
However, only the top four finalists were rewarded with cash prizes varying from Rwf 100, 000 to Rwf 500, 000 while contestants who made it to the top 10 will be mentored on how best they can grow their talents so they can turn them into income-generating jobs that can employ more Rwandan youth.
The overall winner of the challenge was 27-year-old Rachel Ndayishimiye, an upcoming singer commonly known at Symphony Band as Big Rachel, walking away with Rwf 500, 000.
Charly na Nina pose for a photo with the winners of Lavender One Million Challenge-courtesy
Budding fashion designer Nadine Kanyana, who normally dresses Charly na Nina, emerged runner-up and took home Rwf 300, 000. At the same time, female visual artist Lincah Lydie completed the podium and pocketed a cash prize of Rwf 200, 000.
A bonus prize was given to the female dancing crew known as The Queen who were given Rwf 100, 000 as a cash prize.
Looking back to the talents displayed during the challenge finale that attracted at least 30 contestants, Nina said that there is a big number of talents out there that need support for them to thrive.
"It’s obvious that Rwanda’s got talent when you look at the capacities that these young female artists displayed here. We want to see them growing and that’s why we brought this challenge,” said Nina before Charly added, "Our wish is that this initiative can stay for us to empower more young female artists who want to achieve their dreams through their artistic talents.”
After winning the challenge, Big Rachel said the prize was an inspiration for her to kick start music as a career.
"This is just the beginning. It is already inspiring me to dream big that I can do big things in my music career. We had an opportunity to hear from their music experience but my biggest takeaway is that the future is bright if we keep our heads up,” she said.
Besides the cash prizes, Charly na Nina pledged to keep supporting the winners in the future, especially by connecting them with potential clients and companies that can support their talents technically and financially.