Zodiak Broadcasting Station on Saturday crowned the winner of its music talent competition, I Can Sing It Better, after five finalists staged a spirited and tightly contested finale at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe.
The finalists Ivy, Vanessa, Edna, Joseph and Tracy had advanced from an initial pool of more than 50 contestants who auditioned when the competition opened in April this year.
The grand finale featured two rounds of live performances. In the first round, contestants performed songs of their choice, while the second required them to deliver Patience Namadingo’s Ma Plan backed by a live band.
It was during this final round that 29-year-old Joseph Kaliati from Area 36 delivered a standout performance that earned him perfect scores 10 out of 10 from two of the three judges, placing him ahead of runner-up Edna Chizauni and third-placed Tracy.
In an interview after being crowned the winner, Kaliati described the victory as a defining moment in his musical journey, saying the competition had stretched his creativity, discipline and emotional resilience.
“This win means so much to me because I have never come first in anything before. I prayed, I practiced endlessly, and I pushed myself harder than I ever have. Standing here as the winner shows that faith, commitment and sacrifice truly pay off,” he said.
He added that the experience had renewed his confidence and cemented his desire to pursue gospel music professionally, with plans to begin releasing singles within the next two years.
Runner-up Edna Chizauni, aged 20 from Area 23, said the competition transformed her both personally and artistically, revealing weaknesses she had long struggled to overcome.
She said she had considered withdrawing midway but remained because of support from family, friends and fellow contestants.
“Being second is a huge achievement because I never imagined reaching this far. I struggled with stage fright so much that I would shake on stage, but this competition helped me build confidence I didn’t know I had. I’m grateful for everyone who encouraged me not to quit,” she said.
She said performing before judges, live audiences and cameras strengthened her ambition to continue developing as an artist, especially in vocal control and stage presence.
One of the judges Hellen Nyasulu, known popularly as Sindi, praised the season for showcasing visible artistic growth among contestants, noting that the transformation from April to November highlighted the importance of structured performance platforms.
“These contestants have grown tremendously in confidence, creativity and vocal ability. Platforms like this are crucial because they expose young talent to the nation, challenge them to polish their craft and give them room to evolve. I sincerely thank Zodiak for creating a stage where young musicians can shine and be celebrated,” she said.
In his words, Zodiak TV Station Manager Nakali Manjolo said the broadcaster was pleased with the success of the first season, emphasising that the initiative reflects Zodiak’s commitment to building Malawi’s creative sector.
He said the competition emerged from Zodiak’s desire not only to broadcast music but to play an active role in nurturing the artists behind the music the nation consumes.
Manjolo said the growth displayed by contestants throughout the competition confirmed that Malawi has a wealth of emerging musicians who simply need the right exposure and guidance.
“We are extremely impressed with what we witnessed this season. The talent displayed shows Malawi is full of promising musicians who simply need a platform. From auditions to the finale, it has been clear that there is so much potential waiting to be nurtured and supported,” he said.
He said Zodiak plans to further expand the competition in the next season by targeting more districts and increasing participation to ensure that young artists across the country have equal access to opportunities.
“As a broadcaster, we don’t want to only play music—we want to help build the industry. This competition is part of that mission because it gives artists space to grow and connect with audiences. We are committed to making the next season bigger, more inclusive and more impactful,” he added.
The competition was sponsored by WinBig *474#, Salima Sugar and HiFi Electronics.
Joseph received MWK750,000 and an electric guitar from HiFi Electronics, Edna received MWK450,000 and a microphone, while third-placed Tracy walked away with MWK300,000 and headsets, also courtesy of HiFi Electronics.