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Idols South Africa crowns first black winner | Idols South Africa crowns first black winner |
(6 months later) | |
For eight series it has provided smash hits, screaming fans and deepening unease about one of the world's most racially divided societies. | For eight series it has provided smash hits, screaming fans and deepening unease about one of the world's most racially divided societies. |
But on Tuesday, finally, the television talent show Idols South Africa got its first black winner. | But on Tuesday, finally, the television talent show Idols South Africa got its first black winner. |
Khaya Mthethwa, 25, won a nationwide vote against 23-year-old Melissa Allison, ending the dominance of racial minorities since the contest, based on Britain's Pop Idol, launched in 2002. | Khaya Mthethwa, 25, won a nationwide vote against 23-year-old Melissa Allison, ending the dominance of racial minorities since the contest, based on Britain's Pop Idol, launched in 2002. |
The gospel-influenced Mthethwa, from Durban, had been the favourite to win and was backed by a vociferous campaign. Some fans reportedly bought multiple mobile sim cards so they could vote more than once. | The gospel-influenced Mthethwa, from Durban, had been the favourite to win and was backed by a vociferous campaign. Some fans reportedly bought multiple mobile sim cards so they could vote more than once. |
Mthethwa's season eight victory was announced at a gala event in Johannesburg featuring performances by local artists. Almost 3 million South Africans voted over the past week, broadcaster M-Net said. | Mthethwa's season eight victory was announced at a gala event in Johannesburg featuring performances by local artists. Almost 3 million South Africans voted over the past week, broadcaster M-Net said. |
Idols has become a cultural litmus test 18 years after the end of apartheid, with viewers apparently tending to vote along racial lines. | Idols has become a cultural litmus test 18 years after the end of apartheid, with viewers apparently tending to vote along racial lines. |
White people make up less than one in 10 of the South African population. But black contestants are said to be disadvantaged because Idols is shown on a subscription channel and viewers must pay to vote, meaning that voters are disproportionately from the white middle-class. | White people make up less than one in 10 of the South African population. But black contestants are said to be disadvantaged because Idols is shown on a subscription channel and viewers must pay to vote, meaning that voters are disproportionately from the white middle-class. |
When there have been non-white winners of the series, they were mixed race, a category often regarded as culturally separate from the black majority. | When there have been non-white winners of the series, they were mixed race, a category often regarded as culturally separate from the black majority. |
On Monday South Africa's Times newspaper noted that in each of the previous seven seasons of Idols, M-Net has had to defend itself against allegations of vote-rigging and racism. | On Monday South Africa's Times newspaper noted that in each of the previous seven seasons of Idols, M-Net has had to defend itself against allegations of vote-rigging and racism. |
"Smelling blood, black celebrities have, to use political-speak, canvassed and mobilised voters on Mthethwa's behalf, sensing that he is on the verge of changing the trend," the paper said. | "Smelling blood, black celebrities have, to use political-speak, canvassed and mobilised voters on Mthethwa's behalf, sensing that he is on the verge of changing the trend," the paper said. |
A famous picture of thousands of women marching against apartheid-era pass laws had been digitally altered to read "SMS 08 to 37400. Vote for Khaya", the Times added. | A famous picture of thousands of women marching against apartheid-era pass laws had been digitally altered to read "SMS 08 to 37400. Vote for Khaya", the Times added. |
A change in the racial trend seemed on the cards two years ago but strongly tipped Lloyd Cele was eventually defeated by Elvis Blue. They split the winnings. | A change in the racial trend seemed on the cards two years ago but strongly tipped Lloyd Cele was eventually defeated by Elvis Blue. They split the winnings. |
Mthethwa takes home a prize package worth almost R1m (£74,139), including a recording contract with Universal Music South Africa. | Mthethwa takes home a prize package worth almost R1m (£74,139), including a recording contract with Universal Music South Africa. |
He will start work on an album in the next two weeks. | He will start work on an album in the next two weeks. |
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