31-year-old mother of four Berry Trytsman became the eighteenth* South African to be named Idol on Sunday night (21 November) when she won the Season 17 showdown against fellow finalist Karabo Mathe.
Berry walks away with:
R1-million,
A recording contract from Kalawa Jazmee, which was awarded to the Top 5,
A Renault Kiger, valued at over R269,000,
R100,000 in Truworths fashion vouchers,
A Bachelor of Business Administration bursary valued at over 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.
Speaking to
Daily Voice last week, Berry said she dreams of buying a home for her family if she wins as they currently live at the back of her mother's property.
Here's a recap of how the finale unfolded by Mzansi Magic:
For the Capetonian, this moment is the culmination of 22 years of nurturing her talent and dreaming of making it big.
Earlier this year, she joined 15,000 other Idols hopefuls to, just one more time, take her shot at stardom and audition for the show.
This was not Berry’s first time standing on the Idols stage - way back in Season 6 in 2010, she reached the Top 30 before being eliminated from the show. This often prompted judge Unathi Nkayi to remark that she was an inspiration to those who doubted themselves.
Sunday's announcement came after an evening of entertaining performances by some of SA’s most popular musicians, 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.
Karabo, who first auditioned for the competition as a shy 17-year-old back in Season 12, may have not won the competition, but she certainly left a lasting impression.
She also walks away with over R200,000 in prizes, namely: 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.
Commenting on this year’s competition, Nomsa Philiso, Director of Local Entertainment Channels at M-Net, said the talent had been truly exceptional and she was proud to be associated with a vehicle that season after season uncovers the talent South Africa has to offer.
“Congratulations to both Berry and Karabo for making it this far in the competition. 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,” she said.
While Idols exits our screens for now, it will be back next year, having been renewed for another season that is set to keep viewers entertained with excellent performances by up-and-coming stars.
Watch this space for more details.
*There were two winners in Season 5, Jason Hartman and Sasha-Lee Davids.