WATCH | KWT rapturous as Luyolo wins Idols

The community of King William’s erupted into celebration after Luyolo Yiba was announced the winner of Idols SA season 15.

After a staggering 186m votes casted, Idols SA presenter Proverb announced Luyolo Yiba was the winner. Proverb said the show was the toughest and most tightly contested in the history of the competition.

The King William's Town star beat out Snenhlanhla “Sneziey” Msomi for the crown at a packed Carnival City in Boksburg.

Yiba attended school at De Vos Malan High School in King William’s Town. He graduated from Walter Sisulu Univeristy in East London where he obtained a BTech degree in Information Technology.

Luyolo won a prize package worth over R1.5-million, including R1-million in cash, a Huawei Matebook X, GT watch, B525 Router, 20GB of Telkom Data, Ford Fiesta 1.0 Ecoboost, R100,000 Truworths voucher, R80,000 Yahama music instruments and a record deal with Gallo.

The show opened with this seasons' eliminated contestants performing a powerful collaboration. There were screams of excitement as the final two burst onto stage singing John Legend’s Preach.

There was also fire performances by Sho Majozi, Samthing Soweto, Boity, DJ Zinhle and last year’s Idols SA winner Yanga.

Sneziey and Luyolo treated fans to a feast of music with show stopping renditions alongside the Mzansi Gay Choir, Vusi Nova and former contestants of the season.

More than 36 million votes were cast in the week leading up to the final, with 186 million votes cast over the course of the whole season.

Judge Randall Abrahams said the competition was the tightest he had ever been a part of.

Judge Unathi Nkayi said the show was the most successful in its history. She said it was made special by the two finalists Luyolo Yiba and Sneziey Msomi.

Ahead of the finale, Luyolo told TshisaLIVE he would dedicate the win to his family, community and fans.

“Of the thousands who entered the competition, to be in the top two is a massive accomplishment. It won’t be a big deal if I don’t win but I will give it my all. I will keep pushing my music career and winning Idols SA will open so many doors for me,” he added.

Just minutes after scooping the title, Luyolo said: "It doesn't feel real. I just want to thank those who supported me."

“I really appreciate the spot I have been put in and I feel great.”

Next season's auditions kick off in February next year.