TWO talented University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) students Minenhle Ntuli and Nomthandazo Xaba have made it to the Top 16 on season 13 of South African Idols.
Twenty-two-year-old Ntuli is a final year Bachelor of Arts (legal studies) student while Xaba, (18), is a drama and performance studies student. They describe the Idols experience as a major learning curve.
Ntuli defines an Idol as someone who’s ‘ground-breaking and memorable’. She hopes to show people, through her own example, that it is possible to live your dreams.
During the Durban auditions, guest Idols judge Phat Joe, who was hiding under the table at the Durban auditions, surprised Ntuli. He recognised her as a student activist who had confronted him before. Ntuli is the former president of the Student Representative Council (SRC) at UKZN.
“During theatre week, I learned a lot, especially in singing. I learned that my harmonies had to be put to the test,” said Ntuli.
Group rounds taught them that sometimes it is okay to learn from others and lead from the back.
When auditioning, Xaba said she aspires to ‘be a triple threat as a singer, actress and dancer.’ Despite struggling with her voice, she says she is ready to enjoy the experience and draw from her passion in order to make it all the way to the end and beyond.
They urged the university community to support them on their Idols journey. “I would love students to be fully behind us because we are UKZN products. We are doing this for them, our success is also theirs,” said Ntuli.
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