Let’s not settle for average
SETH Godin, the US author and public speaker, once said: “The problem with competition is that it takes away the requirement to set your own path, to invent your own method and find a new way.”
As I look at Idols SA Season 12, I realise that those are not the only problems that come with competitions. Last week, I was shocked by the judges’ decision to save two Idols hopefuls to compete in the Top 10, making me question their judgment.
Sometimes competitions are not about who has the better talent. I was proved right because Amanda and Thamsanqa have better vocal chords and better stage presence than Bevin and Sanele, who both look too shy and have little vocal talent – it is doubtful viewers or lovers of musical talent shows will forgive their lack of presence.
As the judges – Unathi Msengana, Somizi Mhlongo and Randall Abrahams – are the music experts in this case, I thought they would make a solid case to try to convince me and many other Idols SA followers that they made the right choice in saving the two.
I didn’t want to jump the gun. I chose to watch the show with family at home, and not go to the State Theatre in Pretoria last Sunday so I could listen to Sanele and Bevin without any distractions from the rowdy, sometimes uncontrollable crowd which attends the show.
I was not moved by their performance. They have talent, but did not deserve the two spots in the top 10. I’m happy that millions of South Africans were not responsible for this. Certainly, we are not impressed with them.
Idols SA has become part of our Sunday entertainment – need I mention the wooden mic moments which show that some contestants cannot sing? Some of their voices make you cringe, and want to hide, and even make you feel better about your own most embarrassing moments in life.
It’s also interesting how most of the hopefuls genuinely believe that they can sing, which makes you ask: Is this person kidding me? Do they really believe they can sing?
Trust me, I have seen it all. Some become winners no matter how hopeless their singing is.
This brings me to my point(s) about competitions, especially this one.
In Idols, no matter how talented a singer you are, you need to win the hearts of South Africans; the viewers have to love you, no matter your shortcomings.
It’s about the loyalty of the viewers, your family, your community, the provincial support and then your talent.
If this competition was all about talent, Terra Cox would undoubtedly be crowned the winner because almost everyone, on social media, the neighbours, the guy on the street corner, agrees that Terra’s singing is terrific.
However, music competitions are far more complicated than meets the eye or ear.
As we anxiously wait to see who goes home tomorrow, I hope that South Africa ensures that Bevin and Sanele don’t make it to the Top 9. Even though competitions are about one winner, neither of the two deserves to be there and to keep them competing would be unjust.
We as viewers also want to be taken seriously by the judges. We may not be experts, but we sure can distinguish a good singer from a pedestrian one and we know whose music we’ll buy and who we’ll pay to see perform.
In conclusion, I quote former US president Herbert Hoover: “Competition is not only the basis of protection to the consumer (us viewers), but the incentive to progress.”