This
site is designed for Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator versions
4 and above and a screen resolution of at least 800x600
|
|
|
SA chooses idol
By
Raphael Mweninguwe - 18-06-2002 |
|
|
South African fans on Sunday evening chose Heinz Winckler as their idol in an M-Net television show Idol amid controversy.
An estimated 1.4 million fans voted for the three remaining idols—Melanie Lowe, Brandon October and Winckler.
Winckler got 40.2 percent of the votes. It was not disclosed, however, how many votes the other two contenders got.
The show which began early March this year ended on Sunday and was the country’s version of the popular British Pop Idol.
Many people expected October, a 25-year black designer who is also a gospel singer, to win.
Nicki Chapman, one of the fans who had followed the show up to the end, wished October well, saying he was the rightful winner.
“I wish him well,” she said.
October himself said he would continue with his life after “this [idol] competition is over”.
He was quoted by the Reuters as telling the Citizen newspaper that he was “very disappointed because the outcome of the competition will not be a reflection of what the South African public feels”.
Veteran singer Yvonne Chaka Chaka and several others wished the winner the best of luck.
One of the fans said the winner should know that his life did not belong to him but to the people.
Reuters, quoting the Star newspaper, reported that the show has been dominated by racial accusations.
“Accusations are flying thick and fast, depending on whether one’s favourite has survived or not; the judges are racist; the audience is racist; the journalists are racists,” said the Star in its editorial last week.
Winckler is a 23-year-old white law student while Lowe is a 26-year-old blonde who has been harshly criticised even by some of the judges for her voice.
Winckler among other things went away with a Sporting Toyota Car, R20,000 and other gifts worth about R150,000.
In the UK Pop Idol, Will Young won the competition and sold millions of copies of his CD within a short period.
The next Pop Idol in the UK is expected to start in August this year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
