Durban - The African National Congress Youth League’s (ANCYL) threat for a national boycott of Idols SA seems to have gone unsuccessfully.
The League threatened to boycott Idols SA after Gareth Cliff who is a judge on the show, voiced his opinion in relation to Penny Sparrow’s “monkey” statement which saw him come under fire.
The controversial media personality was dismissed from his position after he weighed in on the Sparrow debacle for what M-Net regarded as a racial slur.
However on Friday, after a mammoth legal battle between Cliff and M-Net, the South Johannesburg High Court ordered the Pay TV channel to reinstate the sacked Cliff.
The 12th season of South African Idols kicked off with pre-auditions on Saturday in Durban, at the Playhouse without any disturbances.
M-Net Head of Public Relations Nondumiso Mabece said, “We haven’t seen anything aside from just the contestants coming through. We haven’t had any disruptions. The crew has been here since 4 this morning and there was nothing. It’s been a great day focused on talent.”
The pre-auditions saw more than 1 800 people turn out, which according to Mabece is better than previous years.
“At this stage, we are looking at a bigger audition than what we had in the past. It’s a great crowd here on Saturday. The Durban crowd had been so energetic, chanting and singing outside,” she said.
All four Idols judges, Randall Abrahams, Unathi Msengana, Somizi Mhlongo and, recently reinstated judge, Gareth Cliff, will be present for the final judging auditions on Wednesday.
Auditionees who were given a yes to return on Wednesday said they welcome Cliff’s return to the judging panel.
Lindokuhle Sithole says: “I’m Glad whatever situation there was has been resolved, because it wasn’t healthy for either party.”
Andrew Robertson/ IOL Mojo