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25-year-old Khaya Mthethwa from Durban made KZN very proud last when he became the eighth South African to win South African Idols! Almost 3 million South Africans voted in the past week in the hottest Idols contest in years.
Durban’s new singing star Khaya Mthethwa battled to contain his emotions after being crowned the winner of reality show Idols, season eight, last night.
He held his head in his hands, hugged runner-up Melissa Allison and jumped in excitement, to a roar of applause from thousands of fans in Joburg.
In Durban there were cries of joy and tears of happiness at the Umlazi Oasis Fellowship Centre where Mthethwa’s sister, Sithabile, his grandmother, Mita, and a horde of loyal fans – donning “Team Khaya” T-shirts – had gathered in their numbers. An overwhelmed Sithabile could only say she was elated.
Mita was overcome with emotion and wept in the arms of church leader Nonhle Mbambo.
Jason Hartman of KZN was a joint winner in a previous competition.
Mthethwa, 25, of Durban North, edged out Port Elizabeth’s Melissa Allison, 23. More than 3 million votes were recorded.
At the Mosaiek Theatre in Fairlands his fans jumped from their seats, shouting, “Khaya, Khaya,” as he ran towards them.
“Thank you, SA. I love you and goodnight,” he shouted.
The crowd was dominated by “TeamKhaya” fans who held up posters that read “We love you Khaya” and “Khaya is our idol”.
It was almost inevitable that Mthethwa would win after presenter Proverb had asked fans, earlier, who would win and a loud roar of cheers and screams of “Khaya” was the reply.
When he eventually emerged on stage fans stood and sang along with him. Allison sent the crowd into a frenzy with her powerful voice when she sang.
Then the two friends performed a duet, shared a hug, had a final chat and held each other’s hands before the big announcement.
Mthethwa receives R250 000 from Samsung, airtime, fast-food vouchers and a car plus R50 000 worth of products.
Afterwards Mthethwa congratulated Allison, saying they had become friends.
“I joined the competition because I love music. I am very happy that SA voted. You cannot fool SA, if you cannot sing,” he said.
