Winning formula for Idols
“THE ULTIMATE victory in competition is derived from the inner satisfaction of knowing that you have done your best and that you have gotten the most out of what you had to give,” said the late American sport journalist, Howard Cosell.
Tomorrow, the 2017 Idols SA season goes one step closer to crowning the winner, and I hope that the three remaining hopefuls realise the ultimate victory isn’t winning the competition itself.
I want Mthokozisi or Botlhale or Paxton to win Idols SA Season 13. Unfortunately, come next week Sunday, there will only be one man standing, or lady.
Let me share my thoughts on why I think each one of them deserves to be in the finale.
Mthokozisi: The 25-year-old from KwaMashu has had a very difficult road to the Top 3. I remember the news about his shooting just after he got his golden ticket for theatre week. That could have been a setback. But, like the true Christian he is, he knew that a setback is a set-up for a comeback. I have heard a lot of memorable performances from him. However, the duet with Thami that deliveredSam Smith’s Lay me Down stands out for me. It was too beautiful for words. Interestingly, it was sung last week and is as fresh in my memory as yesterday.
It is, indeed, a story of pain and fame. However, what I like more about this Zulu-Boy is this; he never lets the pain get in his way. He is orphaned and was shot in both legs earlier this year. I never felt pity for him on stage, because he pours his heart out. Mthokozisi is resilience personified. For that, he deserves a spot in the final.
Botlhale: It has always bothered me that Idols SA takes place in the country’s capital and, to date, there hasn’t been a winner from Pretoria.
Well, I also know that it has to be someone deserving. My prayers could be answered in Botlhale. His performances are synonymous with versatility. The Ga-Rankuwa-born singer has got all it takes to win this.
My fondest memory of Botlhale’s take on stage has to be his rendition of Sedi Laka by The Soil.
The State Theatre erupted into a worship house. Everybody, quite literally, was on their feet. It was not about who is here to support whom. It was a uniting song to Idols SA supporters. The song says, “My light show me the way”. Evidently, the light has shun upon Botlhale thus far; and tomorrow, with his fans, we hope he makes it to the final. He has got that thing! Ha ba hemisi (he doesn’t give them a chance to breathe).
Paxton: At first, I wanted this teenager to pack her bags and focus on school. Yes, typical of a black South African who thinks everybody should get his/her breakthrough in life through school.
I quickly swallowed those words as this teen showed me that her being young has got nothing to do with how well she can sing.
I knew from the Top 10 that, if South Africans vote for talent, she would not be ignored. Paxton is amazing. Her comprehension for music, lyrical content and everything musical shows that when you’ve got it, you’ve got it.
All her performances were faultless, in my book; most importantly, they were a reminder to me why she is in this competition to win it.
At the end, there will be only two people in the Season 13 finale; and whether it’s Mthokozisi and Bothale; or Mthokozisi and Paxton; or Botlhale and Paxton, I will be happy. They all deserve it – and that win will still not be the ultimate victory in the competition.
Kabelo Chabalala is the founder of the Young Men Movement. Email, k ab e l o 0 3 c h ab a l a l a @ g mai l . c o m; Twitter, @KabeloJay; Facebook, Kabelo Chabalala