DESPITE missing out on the top 10 on the current season of Idols, Pinetown Boys’ High School old boy, Thamsanqa Mathonsi, described his time on the show as amazing and humbling.
The 20 year old’s passion for music began when he was given his first solo in the school choir at Benjamin Pine Primary School. His love for music has grown and he is now in his second year at UKZN studying towards a BA Music and Drama Performance degree. “I love the beauty of the message in music. Nothing can touch someone’s soul like the melody or the lyrics of a song. With music you can change lives without even knowing it,” said the singer.
Thamsanqa said he chose to enter this year to try out the talent search and did not know how far he would go. “Making the top 16 was quite a shock for me. I really have had an amazing journey on the show. I met people and made bonds that will never be broken and I am so humbled to have been on the show.
“My favourite moment on the show was being able to perform with the Idols band. I am so humbled that I got that opportunity and I will never forget it. They are world class.
“The show has taught me a lot about myself as well as professionalism so I have learnt to challenge myself vocally and also to push myself as a person,” he said.
He said that his greatest achievement to date was when he was a member of the KwaZulu-Natal Youth Choir. “I was also apart of the eThekwini Gospel Choir, which recorded its first live DVD on 31 July at The Playhouse,” he said.
For his music, he draws his inspiration from those around him as he believes that people are able to learn something new everyday. “My mentors taught me to never take anything for granted, thus I keep an open mind and learn from everyone I work with. Be it their weaknesses or strengths, I still grow as a person,” said Thamsanqa.
Now that his time on the Idols stage is at an end, he will continue to pursue a career on stage and is highly interested in theatre as well as screen acting.
