Musa triumphs in closest 'Idols' finale ever

Musa Sukwene was crowned the 2013 South African Idol at the 6000-seater Moreleta Park Auditorium in Pretoria last night.

Sukwene beat Brenden Ledwaba, 19, in what producers said was the closest finale ever - with just 1000 votes separating the two finalists. More than 2million votes were cast for the Mpumalanga lads.

Sukwene's prizes included a recording contract with Universal Music SA, a Ford Fiesta, R60000 for state-of-the-art musical instruments, a scooter and clothing vouchers worth R30000.

He will also release a four-track digital mini-album exclusively for Samsung customers "within the next week", according to judge Randall Abrahams.

But a full debut album won't come before February.

Minutes after the confetti had rained and he had performed his winning song, I Still Feel It, Sukwene, 26, faced the press.

"I was working as a session musician, doing restaurant gigs. What's happening now is like the beginning of something I've been working on for many years. I'm just happy it has come to pass."

Ledwaba was magnanimous in coming second.

"He's been a mentor to me," he said of Sukwene. "I threw myself in the deep-end and he would always advise me. He's helped me grow."

• There will be only a two-month break before s eason 10 of the competition starts . Auditions start at Carnival City, east of Johannesburg, on February 15.

They will also be held at the Playhouse Theatre in Durban (February 22), GrandWest Casino in Cape Town (March 7) and the State Theatre in Pretoria (March 22).