Project Fame The search for a continental music icon has started.

So if you are over 18; if you live in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia or Zimbabwe and if you can sing well, love to perform and either play a musical instrument or write/compose, then M-Net's Project Fame is looking for you.

Up for grabs is the promise of a glittering VIP lifestyle for the winner - the chance to win a contract from a top recording label and to pursue a professional music career, aided by some of the best voice coaches, choreographers, stylists and entertainers on the African music scene.

Entry forms for Project Fame are available at MultiChoice, Musica Stores throughout South Africa and online at www.projectfame.co.za.

The deadline for entries is 25 April.

Thereafter the selection team from M-Net and production company Endemol South Africa will begin analysing entries before shortlisting approximately 200 candidates per city per day.

Each of these shortlisted candidates will then be invited to a special taped audition session at which 50 from each city will be selected to continue in the competition.

In total 500 candidates will be selected in South Africa with 500 candidates being selected from the rest of Africa. The selection team will then begin the task of reviewing the audition tapes of all shortlisted candidates before selecting the Top 100 candidates. A second period of review then begins before the Top 26 candidates are announced.

The Top 26 will then be split into three groups of candidates - group one and group two comprising South Africans whilst group three comprises the candidates from the rest of the continent.

These three groups will each perform in a special live television broadcast from which the final 16 contestants for the show will be chosen. These 16 contestants will comprise 10 from South Africa and six from the rest of the continent.

The entire selection process will run from April to June before the final 16 walk into a special Project Fame academy on June 20.

Once admitted the 16 contestants will be taught to improve their vocal abilities, performance skills and musical range by a staff of accomplished music professionals.

Each contestant's development will then be tested on M-Net in a live weekly gala event as they compete for the opportunity to remain in the competition.

Meanwhile their successes, frustrations and aspirations will be the focus of a 24-hour DStv television channel screened to audiences in over 40 African countries.

The show runs until 29 August.