Idols South Africa Winners: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly
We have survived 10 season of Idols South africa and have crowned 10 winners. Here is how we rank them.
1) R - Jason Hartman
My sentimental favourite, and always will be. That warm earthy tone of his voice as well as his ability to connect with a diverse South African audience would make him a force to be reckoned with in a 11th edition of the show, just like it did in season 5 *
J – Jason Hartman
Jason might not be the most successful of all the winners when it comes to album sales but he definitely has the most heart. His tenacity and ability to connect with a diverse audience makes him stand out head and shoulders above the rest.
2) R - Elvis Blue
His fourth studio album is currently one of the biggest sellers in the country, spending the last month in the top 5. His 3 previous album releases have each won a Sama award and went at least Platinum. Elvis, or rather Jan Hoogendyk, is a big success story ever since he made Mara Lowe cry during his audition.
J – Heinz Winckler
I ranked Heinz in second place because he is just so endearing. He has a nice voice, a nice smile and has worked hard to still remain relevant 11 years after winning the very first season back in 2002.
3) R - Khaya Mthetwa
He made history: the first black winner of the show, in 2012, after 8 seasons. He, similarly to Elvis, has had a meteoric rise to fame, and deservedly so. The last two seasons have struggled to find someone to successfully succeed Khaya's historic moment.
J – Vincent Bones
From as early as his very first audition I found Vincent to be exceptionally talented. His voice is of an international standard and his humble demeanour makes him all that more appearing. I’m hoping he will catch his big break soon and not become another Gospel Music statistic.
4) R - Heinz Winckler
The winner of the very first season, way back when. He might not have the best voice, but his career speaks for itself. Talented, hard worker, committed, and a great ambassador for the show. Idols needed a successful first winner, and Heinz was it. He delivered.
J – Elvis Blue
Elvis is your typical salt-of-the-earth Afrikaans family man with a voice that had Mara Louw in tears during his first audition. He has a strong following and has obtained his fair share of success since winning season 5 of Idols. Although not a personal favourite of mine (L’loyd cele should have won) I have to give him the credit he deserves.
5) R - Vincent Bones
The season 10 winner is very good - strong voice, passionate, and humble - but was, like Khaya, the obvious winner, right from the start. He's hardly been at it a year, but surprisingly has done very little. Hopefully, in time.
J – Khaya Mthetwa
I have always liked him and boy-oh-boy did I receive a lot of slack for it. Khaya has firmly cemented his place in the music industry (much to the dismay of many naysayers) and has proven that he deserves to be remembered for far more than simply being the first black winner of the show,
6) R - David van Vuuren
Ah, David. My favourite contestant in season 7. He had a passion for music and an ability to connect to material like few others. He's also my biggest Idol disappointment. An egotistical self-indulgent douche. I want my money back.
J – David Van Vuuren
I rooted for Dave for the win. He won. My joy was very short-lived. I feel that runner-up Mark Haze would have been more appreciative of the title, I also want my money back
7) R - Jody Williams
She was a cute 16-year-old with a solid voice but, ultimately forgettable. The real winner of season 4 was Andriette Norman, the runner-up to Williams. Album sales prove that, and Norman is still going strong.
J – Jody Williams
All I remember about Jody is that she was a cute and bubbly teenage girl with a cute and bubbly voice. This was yet another season where the runner-up ultimately outshone the winner,
8) R - Anke Pietrangelli
I'm just surprised I remember her surname. Apparently she was a nightmare to work with, a diva from hell. It's a shame, really. She had some initial success after winning the second season, but it was short-lived.
J – Musa Sukwene
I didn’t expect Musa to win. The entire season was pretty much a disaster. Once again those who voted for the winner fails to show any support in terms of album sales.
9) R - Musa Sukwene
Likely the most underwhelming winner the show has produced. Just average in every possible way. Brendan should have won.
J – Anke Pietrangelli
Her crowning was another gigantic ‘WTF’ moment for me. She had such a beautiful voice but didn’t have enough character to do anything significant with it.
10) R - Karin Kortje
The only thing she's known for these days are scandals and terrible life choices. Big voice and, sadly, little else.
J – Karin Kortje
Probably the least successful of all the winners, Karin is more known for her personal scandals than for her musical talent. Pity really because she did garner quite a following during the show.
*Sasha-lee Davids is not featured on my ranking because she never actually garnered the votes to be called an Idols winner.
