SA’s singing cop wins Idols

TSHWANE. - The winner of Idols South Africa season 18 was announced during a spectacular live finale on Sunday.

After weeks of gruelling competition, Nozi Sibiya and Thapelo Molomo took to the stage one more time at the Heartfelt Arena in Tshwane. Molomo, a warrant officer in the South African Police Service, was crowned the winner. After his name was called out, the 29-year-old knelt and prayed onstage. He then performed his debut solo single, Phanda.

In a previous interview with News24, Molomo said he was inspired to enter the singing competition because he felt “very much ready” to contest for the coveted title. “I believe this is my season,” he said.

The South African Police Service congratulated Molomo, who is stationed at the Brits Police Station in North West.

Molomo has a BA (Hons) Psychology degree and began his career in the police service as an intern in the Psychological Services Section and was later employed as a trauma counsellor.

The Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele, attended the finale on behalf of SAPS.

“The member serves as a beacon of hope for many police officers who are on a daily basis faced with psychosocial challenges. He has illustrated to thousands of officers that hard work, determination and perseverance is the foundation of any successful human being,” said Cele.

Along with the title, Molomo walks away with an impressive prize package: just over R1 million cash, made up of R350 000 in a Standard Bank MyMo account, R300 000 from Spotify and R350,000 from Mzansi Magic; access to a Standard Bank wealth manager; a Toyota Starlet; a fashion voucher from Truworths and his live show outfits, all to the value of R100,000; R85,000 worth of musical equipment from Yamaha; and a recording contract with Kalawa Jazmee Records.