Cape Town -For the second year in a row, a Cape Flats teenage girl has been crowned Idols SA’s winner.
Seventeen-year-old Delft singer Yanga Sobetwa blew the judges and South Africans away last night, and according to M-Net, the two finalists received a record 32.5 million votes over the last week.
Dressed in a glittering black dress and supported by her dad, Ayanda Sobetwa, 51, who was in the audience, Yanga and runner-up Thato Makape, 24, from Postmasburg went head to head in the Season 14 finale at Carnival City in Johannesburg on Sunday night.
Happy Delft residents Picture: Armand Hough/African News Agency/ANA
A stunned Yanga said after her win that she intends finishing school and investing her R1 million prize money as her dream is to open a music academy in Delft. She also wins a Ford Fiesta, music and clothing vouchers, as well as a recording deal.
“It’s unbelievable. I feel blessed and humbled,” she said.
“I don’t deserve this platform or the awards. I don’t deserve anything, but you gave it to me. I’m so grateful. Thank you, guys.”
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A proud Ayanda says his talented daughter is an inspiration to all, adding: “We are grateful, but the honour does not come to us, it comes to God.”
Meanwhile, Delft residents came out in their thousands to show their support for their Idol at the Voorbrug Sports Field fan park.
Young and old could be heard chanting Yanga’s name as they patiently waited for the live broadcast of Idols, streamed on a big screen since 5pm.
The community fun day was organised by Ward councillor, Michelle Adonis, who said getting behind Yanga has brought the community together.
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The crowd also cheered when Mayor Dan Plato joined the festivities.
Resident Suleiga Francis from Team Yanga says they have been campaigning for her to win Idols since day one.
Mivuyo Manetsha, 9, Photo: Armand Hough/African News Agency/ANA
“We went door to door from Delft to Mfuleni to Mitchells Plain to get support for her. We knew she would win!” an excited Suleiga said.
Yanga ended off the Idols finale by singing her new single, Scars (all over me) with the rest of the top 10 joining her on stage and lifting her onto their shoulders.
Yanga joins the league of Cape Idols Paxton Fielies (2017), Karin Kortje, Jodi Williams, Sasha Lee Davids and Heinz Winckler.