The winner of Musina Idols’s first season, Constance Nthabiseng Mavhandu from Nzhelele Tshirenzheni, said that winning the competition was a dream come true for her and it had already opened many doors.

The talent-scouting competition, organised by the team at Musina FM, was launched at the Musina Multi-Purpose Centre on 29 July this year. Voting started in August and lasted until the first week of September. The grand finale took place at the Ngwelemotse Community Hall in Musina on 9 September, where the 23-year-old Mavhandu became the very first winner of Musina Idols. Her splendid rendition of Zahara’s song “Phendula” won the judges’ hearts.

Mavhandu, who is an N5 tourism student at Vhembe TVET College’s Musina campus, went home with R1,000 in cash, a free data package, Musina FM merchandise, a radio advert, and a free photoshoot. To top this up, she will also form part of the judging panel for Musina Idols Season 2.

She was beyond exhilarated about her win. “It really feels good and exciting. I am overflowing with happiness. When I entered the competition, I never in my wildest dreams thought I would actually end up as the winner out of all the contestants.”

Mavhandu said the timing could not have been more perfect as she was planning on releasing her first album soon. “What more do I need? With a recording deal in place and the adverts to promote my album, the sky is the limit!” she said excitedly.

The director of this popular singing competition, Mr Joe Maila, said Musina Idols was more of a vision than a mere event. “Although the judges decided on a winner, in my books, everyone was a winner, especially the top six. To me, this was not just a competition, it was about creating a platform for upcoming musicians to be noticed and encouraged. Two of them have already been invited by other event organisers, who saw the videos of them singing. You can bet on it that there will be a Season 2 in 2024, and it will be bigger and better,” he said.