Berry wins Idols SA 2021

21 Nov 2021 - 21:23

Published under the Creative Commons Licence

South African singer Berry was announced as the winner of this year’s Idols SA competition on Sunday evening.

Berry.

Berry beat Karabo in the competition’s finale and a thousands of hopefuls who participated in the Season 17 of the music competition. More than 12.5 million votes were cast last week, with the public making Berry an instant millionaire, courtesy of Mzansi Magic, Old Mutual, Darling Hair and Vodacom.

Berry, along with the rest of the top 5, scored a recording deal with Kalawa Jazmee Records. She also walked away with a slew of other prizes including a Renault Kiger valued at R269 000 ($16 500), R100 000 in Truworths fashion vouchers, a bachelor of business administration bursary valued at R260 000 from Regenesys Business School, R85 000 worth of musical equipment from Yamaha and a Samsung Galaxy Fold 3 on a Vodacom Red 100GB Plan.

Karabo, who first auditioned for the competition as a 17 year old back in Season 12, won over R200 000 in prizes including R50 000 in an Old Mutual Money Account, R50 000 cash from Vodacom, R50 000 in Truworths fashion vouchers and a Regenesys Business School bursary for a higher certificate in business management worth R87 000.

M-Net director of local entertainment channels Nomsa Philiso said the talent had been exceptional throughout Season 17. “Congratulations to both Berry and Karabo for making it this far in the competition,” she said. “I am blown away by their talent and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for them as they join a long line of Idols SA winners who have since become celebrated stars. Idols SA has been making dreams come true since inception and as Mzansi Magic. We are proud to have given the contestants a platform to showcase their talent.”

This was not the first time for Berry on the Idols SA stage. She participated in Season 6 of the music competition in 2010 and reached top 30 before being eliminated. This often prompted judge Unathi Nkayi to remark that she was an inspiration to those who doubted themselves.

The final featured performances from local artists including Musa Keys, Sir Trill, Mafikizolo and Oskido, who shared the stage with Idols SA Season 16 alumni Ndoni and Meez. Season 16 Idols SA winner Zama performed ‘Is’thunzi’ from her debut album In the Beginning while the rest of this season’s top 10 returned to the stage one more time for electrifying performances.