Sky’s the limit now for emotional Idol Karabo

AFTER climbing last night’s mountain of winning the Idols Season 11 finale, Karabo Mogane has many more to summit as South Africa awaits his emergence as an entertainment industry star.

The 24-year-old from Mbombela, in Mpumalanga, was crowned the winner after a gruelling competition. The grand finale was at Carnival City in Johannesburg, but millions of fans around the country were glued to their television sets to witness the decisive moment. This has been a record-breaking season with 78.8 million votes cast over the season, surpassing last year’s 24.3 million.

“It hasn’t sunk in yet. I’m thankful for the people who supported me. This has changed my life in that I have met people who have all contributed throughout my journey,” said an emotional Mogane.

“I have won a car and I rode a taxi to the finale thinking that I will never ride a taxi again. That dream has come true because I have won a Ford Fiesta. I want to renovate my parents’ home,” said Mogane.

Included in the array of prizes he won is a recording contract with Universal Music South Africa.

Celebrities and people involved in the industry congratulated Mogane and added that there was so much more South Africans expected from him after the win.

DJ Oskido said: “Big up to Karabo, it’s been a long road. Welcome to the real world, don’t disappear like the rest of them.”

TV personality Nandi Mngoma tweeted: “Congratulations Karabo! The hard work starts now. You deserve it!”

Khanyi Dhlomo said: “The end of #IdolsSA season 11 and the beginning of a dream come true for Karabo! Well done Karabo!”

Although Mogane’s finale competitor Mmatema Moremi lost out, she made her mark and showed people what she had to offer.

TV personality Maps Maponyane said: “If there’s one thing you know for sure, both Karabo and Mmatema will be stars after this. Wish them all the best.”

Idols SA has, in recent years, been dominated by males. Recent winners were Pietermaritzburg’s Vincent Bones last year, Musa Sukwene from Witbank in 2013, Durban’s Khaya Mthethwa in 2012 and Dave van Vuuren from Johannesburg in 2011.

Mogane will also fly to Los Angeles next year to attend the finale of American Idol after 15 seasons.

PICTURE: OUPA MOKOENA Idols South Africa 2015 winner Karabo Mogane is held high by his competitors after the announcement of his victory in the grand finale at Carnival City last night.