Idols SA is currently the country’s biggest stage for aspiring artists looking to showcase their musical talent.
From captivating, well-rehearsed renditions of the country’s biggest hits by the contestants to the larger than life judges: Randall Abrahams, Unathi Nkayi and Somizi Mhlongo – the annual show has cemented its place in the hearts of millions of viewers.
What comes of the winners of the series after the stage lights have gone off and the real world settles in, however, has been a topic of discussion recently.
Following the much-celebrated season 15 victory by Luyolo Yiba, we take look at how far some of the previous winners have come in their respective music careers since being launched into stardom.
This list predates from season 9 to 15.
Season 9 Musa Sukwene
Musa Sukwene rose to fame and became a household name when he won the competition in 2013.
The 32-year-old from Mpumalanga is better known for his third self-titled studio album, which includes hit single “Mthande” in which he collaborated with the late legendary Robbie Malinga. Musa also went to win multiple awards for his Afro-Pop album.
Now, he is currently promoting his latest single.
Season 10 Vincent Bones
The inspirational Vincent Bones won of the competition in 2014 after his voice and story about being homeless won the hearts of many viewers.
He went on to release his debut album “Shaded Soul” the following year while signed to record label, Universal Music.
Bones appears to have been relatively quiet over the last few months, having made his most recent music related social media post on his Facebook page in mid-August.
Season 11 Karabo Mogane
Season 11 winner , who won the competition in 2015 and has released his second album this year.
Unlike many other former winners, Karabo revealed that he had to endure the harsh realities and the cut-throat nature of the music industry after he found himself in debt and without a public relations team.
This was also in addition to having received negative feedback from fans on social media upon the release of his first music video ‘’Ngifuna lo” according to TshisaLive.
The singer has since bounced back from his time out and has focused solely on his comeback.
He is currently promoting his latest single uMAKOTI.
Season 12 Noma Khumalo
Season 12 winner, Noma Khumal released her debut album ‘’Joy” in December 2016 and is currently promoting her latest single “Wenziwa”.
Earlier this year, she also appeared to be facing industry related difficulties, when a tweet showing that the price of her album had dropped from R109 to R5 went viral on Twitter.
In an interview with Drum, Gallo records also revealed that Noma was no longer with the label.
Read more: Idols SA’s winner Noma Khumalo has parted ways with Gallo records – label confirms
Season 13 Paxton Fielies
Paxton Fielies came out victorious as the winner of the season 13 of Idols SA.
At the time, she was the youngest female artist to win the show at 17 years old.
She is currently signed to Gallo Records and released her debut album “This is me” in June 2018. She is currently promoting her most recent non-album single “No Distractions” in collaboration with house DJ, DJ Maruti.
Season 14 Yanga Sobethwa
Season 14 winner
Sge went on release her album, ‘Promised Land” on 10 May 2019. The album did incredibly well but she had to make a few sacrifices for it to get there.
Recently the now 18-year-old hitmaker from Delft Cape Town, found herself in a position where she had to take to social media to clarify rumors that she regretted not writing her matric exams due to the pressure that came with recording and promoting her debut album.
In an interview with DRUM earlier this month, the hitmaker explained the emotional toll that came with being trolled on social media about her studies, adding that she is still enrolled for her matric exams but is doing her subjects in portions due to her other obligations as an artist.
Season
15 Luyolo Yiba
