BSS readies for epic music talent search
DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA’S talent search competition, Bongo Star Search (BSS) Season 16, is set to officially begin on February 7th and 8th , this year at La Kairo Hotel in Mwanza, following a brief postponement to allow better preparations.
Speaking to media outlets today, January 9, 2026, Bench Mack Managing Director, Madam Rita Paulsen, said the delay was intentional to enable organisers to introduce fresh ideas and improve the quality of the competition for Tanzanians.
She said the upcoming season will be unique as it expands beyond singing to include other creative talents such as dance, comedy, acting, acrobatics and painting, a major shift from previous seasons that mainly focused on vocal performance.
“For this season, participants must have real talent, self-confidence and star quality. Anyone who believes they have these qualities is encouraged to turn up for auditions and showcase their abilities,” said Paulsen.
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She added that auditions for all talent categories will be conducted simultaneously, and contestants who participated in previous seasons but did not win are also eligible to audition again.
Nationwide Audition Schedule
According to the organisers, the auditions will be conducted in various regions as follows: February 7–8, 2026 – Mwanza (La Kairo Hotel), February 14–15, 2026 – Arusha (SGR Resort)
February 21–22, 2026 – Mbeya (GR Hotel), March 7–8, 2026 – Nairobi
March 13, 14 and 15, 2026 – Dar es Salaam (National Museum)
March 28 to April 1, 2026 – Dodoma (Royal Virage)
Paulsen said auditions will start in the morning and continue until all registered participants are assessed.
On online auditions, she explained that applicants will be given specific guidelines, after which judges will review submitted works.
Successful candidates will be contacted and invited to Tanzania to proceed with the competition.
She further noted that different judges will be assigned based on talent categories, with 15 finalists expected to advance to the main stage of the competition.
Show Launch and Broadcast
Paulsen also announced that the official launch of Bongo Star Search Season 16 will take place on March 12, 2026, in Nairobi, marking the first time the show’s launch is held outside Tanzania.
Meanwhile, Sinema Zetu Channel Manager at Azam Media, Sophia Mgaza, said the BSS episodes will air every Sunday at 9:00 pm on Sinema Zetu Channel, with the first episode scheduled for March 22, 2026, at 8:00 pm.
