Khaya thrills crowd and makes KZN fans ecstatic

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.