Goody day my dear Hivers! It's Marinel, (minelwander20) I'm back with another blog to share with you, though this is not a travel blog rather it's a celebration for my beloved students winning a contest during DisFOT as a Likhawitan contender. I am so excited to share the outstanding achievements of my students at the recent District Festival of Talents (DISFOT) 2025, where they showcased their exceptional skills and talent in Likhawitan competition.
Likhawitan is one of the event in DISFOT, where students showcased their skills and talents in composing a song and will present with an accompaniment of guitar. Of course, they will be the one singing and playing the guitar. It consists only two students as partners.
Before the event starts, they are having the preliminaries first at the covered court. Later, they announced that all the contestants can go to their different events. And wait for the organizer to announce the guidelines and criteria for judging.
While waiting, I encouraged my students to relax and feel the room's atmosphere, ensuring they felt comfortable and familiar with the environment. This approach aimed to reduce anxiety and prevent any sense of unfamiliarity during their performance. By allowing them to unwind and adjust beforehand, they were less likely to experience nervousness or stress when it was time to perform.
After the organizers provided the guidelines, they allotted four hours for the students to compose their original songs centered on the theme "Unveiling Excellence." During this period, each pair collaborated to craft their unique lyrics and melodies. Following the composition phase, the remaining time was dedicated to rehearsing their pieces, integrating instrumental accompaniment, and refining their performances to ensure a harmonious blend of vocals and instrumentation.
There were eight duo contestants from different schools, each showcasing exceptional talent and remarkable vocal abilities. The students' proficiency in songwriting and melody composition was truly impressive, highlighting their superb skills. Given the high caliber of all participants, I tempered my expectations. However, I am delighted to share that our team emerged victorious. Our students were determined not to be outdone, and while I acknowledge the excellence of all competitors, I proudly believe our students stood out.
I am so proud of my students and to myself as well. Throughout the event, I provided continuous guidance, standing by them before and after their performances. Prior to the competition, I trained them extensively, focusing on essential techniques and effective presentation skills to enhance their stage presence. This comprehensive preparation was crucial in building their confidence and ensuring they delivered outstanding performances.
After our win at the Division Festival of Talents, we are now set to compete against the winners from the first to third districts. This event will bring together the best talents from each district, creating a very competitive environment. Despite the strong competition, I have strong confidence in my students' abilities and believe they will perform well. Regardless of the outcome, I am already happy as it is that they have the chance to take part in such important contests. As their coach, I take great pride in how far we have come and value the experiences we've gained together.
For our second time/round to compete, we are beyond blessed that we came this far. Can't imagine how proud I am for them. Looking at their faces, I know that they were enjoying what they are doing. No expectations, no pressure just enjoy.
As the performances commenced, it was evident that all the contestants possessed remarkable talent. The students' talents and capabilities in songwriting and guitar accompaniment were truly impressive. If they continue to practice these skills, they have the potential to achieve significant success in the future, possibly even pursuing careers as professional artists.
"Talent is like a little seed; when nurtured, it will flourish."
— Matshona Dhliwayo
That's it for todays' blog,till next time. Ciao! 😘
