JUST 18 weeks ago he was a father and a passionate but unknown musician from Mpumalanga.
But as the weeks progressed he stepped into the hearts of South Africans young and old.
On Tuesday night, with only around a thousand votes distinguishing him from his rival, Musa Sukwene was crowned winner of the ninth season of Idols SA.
“We have never experienced such a close race on Idols SA,” said Lani Lombard, M-Net’s spokeswoman for special projects.
More than two million voted for their favourite contestant on the reality show.
Even the judges were uncertain as to who would win, as the competition had been neck-and-neck between Sukwene, 26, and Brenden Ledwaba, 19, affectionately known as Ben 10.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch yesterday after his victory, Sukwene said he needed another week to let it sink in.
“This is a dream come true for me.”
He said the competition had been extremely tough and one had to constantly think ahead about what was going to happen next, even while enjoying the ride.
“Being in the top two with Brenden was a beautiful thing for me with the talent that he has,” Sukwene said.
His family was ecstatic. “My parents couldn’t sleep, because they know what this means to me and the sacrifices I’ve made to get here. For them it was like taking their son to graduation,” he said.
He shared his battle with dyslexia, which made reading a challenge but introduced him to music.
“Dyslexia affected me and helped me at the same time. It drew me out of the ordinary. When I discovered that I could do things through music, it changed my life.
“I was no longer concerned about what other people thought, it gave me life.”
Sukwene walks away with:
- A R60000 voucher towards musical instruments, as well as a Bi-Wizz Scooter, valued at R20000, from Yamaha;
A monitor system valued at more than R57000 and a wireless Shure microphone system valued at more than R40000;
R30000 in vouchers from Truworths;
R350000 cash from Samsung, an All Share set worth over R50000 and R350000 from Idols SA;
A brand new Ford Fiesta valued at R238600 from Ford; and
The ultimate prize – a recording contract from Universal Music South Africa.In a move reminiscent of the show’s sixth season, where winner Elvis Blue split his cash winnings with runner-up Lloyd Cele, Sukwene will share some of his winnings with Ledwaba. He said they would not reveal how much.
“We reached a point of brotherhood during the show and we both had an incredible journey,” is all Sukwene would say about the gentlemen’s pact.
He is undecided what he will do with the rest of the money, however.
“At this point I just want to invest it until I figure it out.”
Universal will release Sukwene’s four-track mini-album in time for Christmas.
“A big thank you to my fans – I can’t describe the joy they’ve given me and I’ll make it a point to give back everything they’ve given to me through the music,” Sukwene said.
Auditions for Season 10 kick off in February. — vuyiswav@dispatch.co.za
SA’s new darling – but only just
But as the weeks progressed he stepped into the hearts of South Africans young and old.
On Tuesday night, with only around a thousand votes distinguishing him from his rival, Musa Sukwene was crowned winner of the ninth season of Idols SA.
“We have never experienced such a close race on Idols SA,” said Lani Lombard, M-Net’s spokeswoman for special projects.
More than two million voted for their favourite contestant on the reality show.
Even the judges were uncertain as to who would win, as the competition had been neck-and-neck between Sukwene, 26, and Brenden Ledwaba, 19, affectionately known as Ben 10.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch yesterday after his victory, Sukwene said he needed another week to let it sink in.
“This is a dream come true for me.”
He said the competition had been extremely tough and one had to constantly think ahead about what was going to happen next, even while enjoying the ride.
“Being in the top two with Brenden was a beautiful thing for me with the talent that he has,” Sukwene said.
His family was ecstatic. “My parents couldn’t sleep, because they know what this means to me and the sacrifices I’ve made to get here. For them it was like taking their son to graduation,” he said.
He shared his battle with dyslexia, which made reading a challenge but introduced him to music.
“Dyslexia affected me and helped me at the same time. It drew me out of the ordinary. When I discovered that I could do things through music, it changed my life.
“I was no longer concerned about what other people thought, it gave me life.”
Sukwene walks away with:
In a move reminiscent of the show’s sixth season, where winner Elvis Blue split his cash winnings with runner-up Lloyd Cele, Sukwene will share some of his winnings with Ledwaba. He said they would not reveal how much.
“We reached a point of brotherhood during the show and we both had an incredible journey,” is all Sukwene would say about the gentlemen’s pact.
He is undecided what he will do with the rest of the money, however.
“At this point I just want to invest it until I figure it out.”
Universal will release Sukwene’s four-track mini-album in time for Christmas.
“A big thank you to my fans – I can’t describe the joy they’ve given me and I’ll make it a point to give back everything they’ve given to me through the music,” Sukwene said.
Auditions for Season 10 kick off in February. — vuyiswav@dispatch.co.za
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