Is IDOLS a racist concept?
The question of racism has been raised again after 2 “black” contestants were eliminated from the Top 14. For the past 4 seasons of idols, the judges’ votes and the viewers’ votes were split equally (50:50). But as of this year, the viewers are solely responsible on who becomes the next South African Idol. The judge’s role this year is to smile,
act as if they don’t like each other or pretend as if they are listening when the contestant sing….. Yesterday The Times had an article about the elimination of Thuba and Thabs from the Top 14.
I just knew that the decision for the judges not to have a say on who makes it to the top 10 was going to backfire for some demographics........this was my initial reaction when I first heard that the Judges won’t have a say on who becomes the 5th South African Idols.
Mara Louw was quoted on The Times saying:
Following the elimination of Rethabile “Thabs” Kgoroeadira and Thubalethu Myeki from M-Net’s show on Monday night, Mara Louw said black contestants were at a distinct disadvantage. She said black contestants received fewer votes than whites because they received insufficient support from traditionally black radio stations and newspapers.It is not a racial thing, but in this competition, unfortunately the white people seem to vote more than the black people.” “But after they were both eliminated on Monday, I cried, thinking what talent they had and how they did not have the platform to rally for people to vote for them because they are not getting as many interviews in the black press as others are getting on white stations.”A fellow blogger Vesa had this to say:
Gareth was talking about this on his show this morning, he thinks people are not voting based on talent but on popularity...and he even said that he thought Thabs & Thuba were better than some of the people that are still there! Another blogger mentioned in another blog that, 2/4 IDOL winners were black? So why is everyone (including myself) making an issue about race/idols/mnet????? Will get back to this question later.
I had a pleasure of speaking (over the phone) to Thuba and Thabs who were both eliminated on Monday evening. I was not really interviewing them about the racist comments/issue being raised by the media and the public; I just wanted to speak to them, seeing they were my fav contestants. Thuba – I called him the “Mzoxolo” of Idols
Mjj: now that your short journey on IDOLS is over what do you plan to do?
Thuba: I’m hoping to work in Theatre and do anything related to music.
MJJ: next year?
Thuba: I plan to study Music at AFDA in JHB.
MJJ: How was being part of the show, who was your best friend, and who fought with whom?
Thuba: There were no fights, I liked everyone, and I was also very close to Ntsepa, Thembi, and Sasha-Lee. It was nice meeting new people, I love singing and it was nice to be surrounded by people who love music.
Mjj: At your audition Randal was clapping for you, was he being sarcastic or was he happy at your performance?
Thuba: Mara cried, did you see that?
Mjj: Nope, answer my question?
Thuba: He was happy, Randal is not a bad guy, and he is a human being.
Mjj: Talking about the judges, were you happy at hearing that they would have no votes in the competition?
Thuba: I was actually shocked.
Mjj: Especially considering the fact that most black people have no access to DSTV. It’s worse for people like you who come from outside Gauteng where you can’t even canvas to your community to make sure they keep you in the competition?
Thuba: I really didn’t like the notion of judges not having a say on the matter, because people don’t necessarily vote for the best singer, they vote for whom they like. But we were told the judges won’t have a say on who progress to the subsequent stages of the competition.
Mjj: and in this case, the public happen to like a different race than yours? (I know I was putting words in his mouth)
Thuba: Ja, the public will vote based on personality and not necessarily on talent.
Mjj: Are you bitter at the process?
Thuba: No….
Mjj: Would you call the process racist?
Thuba: Not at all.
My interview with THUBA was kind of boring on paper (but it was actually interesting to talk to him) and I hope when he makes it big he will remember that “I” not “IDOLS” gave him publicity…..lol…Thuba my brother, hola at your boy when you come to Jozi again……You know boss you have talent and I wish you all the best in your future endeavours. After trying to get hold of her without success, she managed to buzz me….and when I called her back the phone was on voicemail…and she was singing…..I dropped the phone imm….I then tried again later…..
Mjj: Phone ringing…
Thabs: Hallo
Mjj: Yippe you answered and it’s not your voicemail...boy am I glad.
Mjj: This was your third time entering idols?
Thabs: yes it was my third time, the first 2 times I didn’t even see the judges…..
Mjj: How come?
Thabs: Before you actually see the judges you have to go through 2 rounds of auditions. The first 2 rounds are done by the producers.
Mjj: What? That’s news to me….. Are you trying to tell me that, the people that can’t sing are actually auditioned for entertainment?
Thabs: Oh yes, its all for entertainment…
Meaning the lady who sang
killing me softly with a remix and kwasa kwasa was actually paid to do that…..
Mjj: I wonder what else is false about this show???
Mjj: SO what are you doing now?
Thabs: I’m trying to record and hopefully someone will give me an opportunity.
Mjj: I believe you were on Omo, Uno and Sparletta ads???
Thabs: Yes I did those ads, it was nice…..
Mjj: so how was being part of the top 14?
Thabs: Lovely, grateful, nice food (
blacks and food), no competition amongst the group (me rolling my eyes) and we stayed at a nice hotel...
Thabs was quoted in The Times saying:
Cameron Bruce and other contestants had more advantages over us as some scored interviews with [Gauteng radio stations] Jacaranda FM and 94.7 Highveld Stereo. W e black competitors don’t get that support from black radio stations like Kaya FM or Metro FM, meaning we don’t have a platform to rally people to vote for us,” she said.Mjj: so did others get publicity?
Thabs: Yes they did
Mjj: Why them?
Thabs: You see the radio stations that are media partners wanted to interview certain people? They wanted to give publicity to the individuals selected
Mjj: Most of these stations are predominantly white stations?
Thabs: Yes they are Afrikaans stations
Mjj: Surely they won’t want to interview the likes of you and Thuba. SO if you were interviewed on Yfm, most probably you would have not been eliminated?
Thabs: I’m sure if the Yfm listeners knew about me, they would have voted…You c, blacks didn’t stand a chance because most of the stations part of idols are Afrikaans stations.
Mjj: Mara was gyrating when you performed Amy’s song….Do you think she’s auditioning for her next gig or she was genuine excited about your performance?
Thuba: I think she’s sincere….and I’m grateful at the comments of the judges….
Mjj: It was nice talking to you, all the best on your future…..
Eish I wanted to tell her that her Model C access kills me softly….but I didn’t have the guts……
Obviously I didn’t write down everything I talked about with Thuba and Thabs
Renegade -
What I'm saying is that Idols does not provide a platform for all the contestant to be on the same par...period. A show on DSTV does not have a SA viewership, it has a white majority viewership, and we all know that, and we knew that even before the show started, and that's how we know that next week it's the other two blacks going out, although after this outcry, i'm sure there'll be fiddling with the votes(but that's another can of worms).I have to agree with Renegade. This is really not about BEING RACIST and I actually think the reason for these 2 to be eliminated was because their audience does not have access to DSTV compounded by the fact non of the blacks were interviewed by media partners of the show (according to the papers and Thabs)…..
I think Mnet should make sure that its media partners represents the true demographics of our society…in fact it should represent all the demographics of the children entering idols…..else there’s no hope of any black child making it to the Top3 if the judges are to be exempted in choosing the Top 3…..The truth of the matter is that Thabs and Thuba’s friends and fans don't have access to MNET…..and its worse now, because Open Time is no longer available.