By: Poelano Malema
Zama Khumalo was crowned the winner of ‘Idols SA’ season 16 last year December.
The 20-year-old wowed South Africans with her incredible voice and stage presence.
Talking about her win, the singer said that “it is really amazing” and has changed her life.
The young Zama said she took a gap year to pursue her dream of becoming an ‘Idols’ winner.
This is after one of her friends encouraged her to enter the singing competition.
“A friend of mine convinced me to enter Idols. Obviously, it wasn’t the first time auditioning,” said the singer.
Zama said she arrived at the audition venue the night before. She says her friend stood in the queue for her the entire night while she took a nap, so that her voice didn’t take strain.
The talented singer says she didn’t always feel confident that she could hit the right notes.
“I was always shy, I was always the girl who never believed in herself,” said the 20-year-old.
“My mom said I started singing at the age of two.”
But she says she realised she could sing when she was in Grade 6.
“Besides winning, my favourite moment on Idols was when I did the duet with Ntokozo Mbambo,” said Zama.
The two sang ‘In The Shadow’ – a Joyous Celebration classic. They received a standing ovation from Somizi Mhlongo and the audience.
Zama says the collaboration was amazing.
“Oh, it was amazing, it was really amazing. I’ve never had the feeling that I had that day. It was just an amazing feeling. God was with us,” she said.
Zama says that although her mom was sceptical about her entering ‘Idols SA’, and wanted her to pursue her studies, her dad was her number one supporter.
“I feel like my dad is my number one supporter. He was behind me all the way,” says Zama.
Zama says she wants to finish working on her upcoming album, which is being recorded under the Kalawa Jazmee record label.
“My album is going to be filled with a lot of surprises, and I think with this one, everyone who likes uZama is gonna love me even more,” says Zama.
The ‘Idols SA’ winner says she hasn’t decided on the genre she is going to sing as yet.
“I’m a worshipper because I’ve obviously sung at church, but I don’t think I want to do Gospel. I am a versatile person, so I guess I’m just going to be doing everything,” she says.
Zama says she also wants to go back to school and is considering a career in acting.
“I’m thinking of going back to school, maybe studying music. I just want to do everything you know. I want to get into acting,” she said.
Image courtesy of Instagram/ @idolssa_zama