South Africa's new Idol: Khaya!

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SA's fovourite singer, Khaya Mthethwa
picture: www.justcurious.co.za



Khaya Mthethwa of Durban cannot contain his surprise as he is named the winner of Idols 2012 in Johannesburg last night, beating Melissa Alison from Port Elizabeth. More than 3 million viewers voted in the competition in the past week.

 

A stunned Khaya Mthethwa clutched his head in disbelief when he was announced as the first black Idols winner last night. "I just want to thank God and my parents who have flown out here and taken the time to come and support me here even when they were busy," he exclaimed. Mthethwa, 25, became Idols SA's season 8 winner.

 

 2012 SA idol winner, Khya mthethwa

picture: www.justcurious.co.za



The Durbanite blasted naysayers who had predicted that his prospective win would be to appease disgruntled black viewers.

For the record, for the past seven seasons of the competition, not a single black contestant has scooped the Idols SA title.

Mthethwa, still huffing and puffing from celebrating his win, said it "saddened" him whenever the competition's race issue reared its head.



idols contenders, khaya and Mellisa
pic: www.justcurious.co.za





Though M-Net would not reveal the difference in the number of votes between Mthethwa and Alison, apparently more than 3million votes were cast in the past week.

Universal Music SA boss Lindelani Mkhize would also not entertain questions whether Mthethwa would release a gospel album.

Radio presenter Akhumzi Jezile, Mthethwa's friend, said: "I believed in him from his first audition. When he decided to enter, he came to my mom's house carrying a stack of CDs. The only one I remember was Bruno Mars".

Mthethwa takes home prizes worth about R1-million. That includes a:

•  recording contract with Universal Music SA,
•  R250000 cash
•   car sponsored by Ford and many other prizes

Some of the SPONSORS of idols were:

• SAMSUNG
• FORD
• UNIVERSAL MUSIC

"we are very excited to be part of this talent search to market where consumers did not only have an opportunity to be directly part of the idols phenomenon, but through this competition we have stimulated interest in the music industry",said Craige Fleischer, Director of mobile Communications at Samsung Electronics SA.

Ford's spokesperson, jerry Figo couldnt hide his excitement about the competion"we are very proud to be part of such an amazing competion, as it has helped us grow as a brand" khaya is one amazing singer, he deserved to win, we want to associate our brand with winners and being part of idole has enhanced our brand dramatically", jerry continues.