Zandile Thilela wins Durban’s Gospel Icon Discovery comp
Thilela took home R65 000 cash and a recording deal with Sony International for her efforts in the soloist category.
IN a tightly contested competition Zandile Thilela emerged victorious and was crowned the city’s Gospel Icon Discovery (GID) competition.
Thilela took home R65 000 cash and a recording deal with Sony International for her efforts in the soloist category.
Thilela, from Folweni South of Durban, could not contain her excitement and thanked the city for providing the platform to take her music career to new heights.
“It’s been a long journey of not giving up that has made me the winner. I am looking forward to the journey ahead to have my music on the platform that will be accessed by everyone in the country and internationally. I am grateful to the municipality for the opportunity that has been presented for me as a way out of poverty as I lost my parents and only depend on my grandmother,” she said.
GID is an annual programme started in 2013 by the eThekwini Municipality that’s aimed at scouting for singing talent in all 110 wards of the city.
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Philasande Hlangulela, a 14-year-old budding artist, took the winner spot in the Junior category and walked away with R10,000.
The runners up of the competition received prizes varying from R20,000 to R5 000.
Ntokozo Sibiya, Chairperson for the Community Service Committee, congratulated the winners and said the competition does not only create memories but also has a positive impact on society, by developing societies’ musical skills and assisting participants in reaching their aspirations.
“Youth empowerment through performing arts has many benefits for society and is therefore imperative. These benefits include the transfer of skills and work ethic as well as facilitating nation-building and personal development. This is a clear demonstration that this city cares. It started with this government that the creative industry permanently features in our development agenda and there is no turning back,” said Sibiya.
This year’s edition of GID will be broadcast on DSTV’s popular gospel channel “One Gospel” on channel 331 at a date to be announced.
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