She won Idols but she also won hearts. The powerful voice and sparkling personality took Zama Khumalo to the top in December 2020. While she was blowing away the judges, she was trending constantly on social media and building up a base of fans who voted for her religiously.
Fresh from completing her matric, Zama took a gap year to explore her musical talent. It went pretty well for the girl from eKasi Emalahleni. She chats to us about life before and after winning the biggest talent show in South Africa.
HOW DID YOU GROW UP?
I’m from a Witbank township called Emalahelini. I grew up with my parents and four siblings: Jonathon, Theo, Zinhle and Angel. I would say that I had a normal upbringing, never wanting for anything. My mum and dad always made sure that I was well taken care of. I went to Witbank primary and high school and completed matric in 2019. In 2020, I decided to enter Idols.
HOW HAS YOUR IDOLS JOURNEY BEEN?
Amazing. I had the best time of my life, especially Mondays to Saturdays. When Sunday came it was nerve-wracking for me because it was elimination night and someone had to go home. The anxiety of thinking that I might be the one to leave came over me. I wasn’t easy, it was hard during the competition. But when I look back, I’m like, hey, it wasn’t that bad at all.
HOW HAS THE CHANGE FROM LIFE BEFORE IDOLS TO NOW BEEN?
I love the support I’m getting and I really didn’t expect to get so much attention. Sometimes it gets overwhelming and I want to hide because I can’t even go to the shops anymore without people recognising me and wanting a picture. It’s a crazy ride. Wherever I go, I hear shouts of “nangu u Zama” and soon people will huddle around me. So, it’s nothing I’m used to but I do enjoy it.
WHAT WAS IT LIKE WALKING ONTO THE IDOLS STAGE FOR THE FIRST TIME?
I felt different kinds of feelings at the same time. I was mostly nervous, yet excited. But then I always remember what my vocal coach taught me. She said being nervous is part of the process and it means you’re eager for the stage. The nerves work in your favour because you will deliver a performance that has emotion and the audience will feel that from you. After some time I loved the nerves because it built my excitement and assured me that I will have a good and proper performance. So, I used my nerves to fuel my energy before going on stage.
DID YOU HAVE A MOMENT WHERE YOU THOUGHT YOU COULD ACTUALLY WIN?
When I reached the top two and on the Sunday of the finale. I thought to myself, there’s a huge chance that I might win this thing because there are only two of us left. I was so excited. I felt it inside that I might walk away as the winner.
WHAT KEPT YOU GROUNDED THROUGHOUT THE COMPETITION?
My source of strength was definitely my family – especially my brother. I would call him and vent to him about the challenges. When I felt like giving up, he was always there, keeping my spirits up and bringing back my confidence. He would reassure me about the support I had back home – they were voting endlessly. At times I wanted to pack and just go home, but he would tell me that I needed to be strong, so I thought, ok this isn’t just about me, let me do it for my family and my hometown.
WHAT CHALLENGES DID YOU FACE BEING AWAY FROM HOME?
Yoh! I was always tempted to go on social media, although we were advised to rather keep away. Sometimes I would go online and read the comments and that would break my heart. People had their opinions and didn’t know what went on behind the scenes, so they had a lot of negative things to say. It lowered my self-esteem, and I got tired of the drama. What got me through was prayer. I would read a comment and pray about it, and cry if I needed to and call my bother and talk to him because I didn’t want to stress my parents and have them worry about me.
HOW DOES YOUR FAMILY AND NEIGHBOURHOOD FEEL ABOUT YOUR SUCCESS?
I often meet older people who I grew up with and they tell me how proud they are of me. They have so much gratitude about how I’ve put Witbank on the map and they take my success as theirs. That makes me very happy and warms my heart because I mean something to them.
ARE THERE ANY PLANS ON GOING BACK TO SCHOOL?
At the moment, the focus is on my album and getting it released. When I get the chance to go back to school, I want to study music and learn about the industry and one day become a music executive.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON NOW?
I am still at home. I will start working on my album in February, because I’ll be moving to Joburg.
WHICH LABEL ARE YOU SIGNED TO?
I was signed by Kalawa Jazmee! I’m so excited to join one of the country’s biggest record labels. I can’t wait to go to the studio and create music with the best producers and artists.
WHO IS YOUR MUSIC IDOL?
It has to be Rachelle Ferrell. She is the best vocalist I’ve heard in my life. She has set the bar for me – I want to reach her level of perfection. Locally I love Amanda Black, I feel her voice is out of this world and I’m a huge fan.
WHAT GENRE OF MUSIC WILL YOU DO?
I don’t really want to box myself in. I want to explore my voice and talent in all kinds of different sounds. I trust my versatility in music and when I start recording with Oskido, I’ll say what I would love to explore.
WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO COLLABORATE WITH?
There is a song that came out recently by past Idols contestant Loyiso and DJ Zinhle called "Indlovu". After I heard their song, I went crazy and wanted to collaborate with DJ Zinhle, too. DJ Zinhle is part of Kalawa so hopefully we can get a chance to work together, hold thumbs for me.
WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU LOVED THE MOST ABOUT IDOLS?
When I made the top 16, I met my new family. We were so close, you’d swear we weren't in a competition, we would also forget that sometimes. I enjoyed the rehearsals more than anything because it was a chance to be creative and even if you make a mistake, it's okay. It can be fixed and polished before Saturday’s performance.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO POTENTIAL IDOLS CONTESTANTS?
One thing I always tell people who want to be on Idols is keep on going back and don’t lose hope too soon. I was also turned back from pre-auditions, but I tried again and got through the next stage. So, my advice would be to go back again and again until you make it.
FUN Facts: Idols winner prizes are worth R1,5 million and include:
I felt different kinds of feelings at the same time. I was mostly nervous, yet excited. But then I always remember what my vocal coach taught me. She said being nervous is part of the process and it means you’re eager for the stage. The nerves work in your favour because you will deliver a performance that has emotion and the audience will feel that from you. After some time I loved the nerves because it built my excitement and assured me that I will have a good and proper performance. So, I used my nerves to fuel my energy before going on stage.
DID YOU HAVE A MOMENT WHERE YOU THOUGHT YOU COULD ACTUALLY WIN?
When I reached the top two and on the Sunday of the finale. I thought to myself, there’s a huge chance that I might win this thing because there are only two of us left. I was so excited. I felt it inside that I might walk away as the winner.
WHAT KEPT YOU GROUNDED THROUGHOUT THE COMPETITION?
My source of strength was definitely my family – especially my brother. I would call him and vent to him about the challenges. When I felt like giving up, he was always there, keeping my spirits up and bringing back my confidence. He would reassure me about the support I had back home – they were voting endlessly. At times I wanted to pack and just go home, but he would tell me that I needed to be strong, so I thought, ok this isn’t just about me, let me do it for my family and my hometown.
WHAT CHALLENGES DID YOU FACE BEING AWAY FROM HOME?
Yoh! I was always tempted to go on social media, although we were advised to rather keep away. Sometimes I would go online and read the comments and that would break my heart. People had their opinions and didn’t know what went on behind the scenes, so they had a lot of negative things to say. It lowered my self-esteem, and I got tired of the drama. What got me through was prayer. I would read a comment and pray about it, and cry if I needed to and call my bother and talk to him because I didn’t want to stress my parents and have them worry about me.
HOW DOES YOUR FAMILY AND NEIGHBOURHOOD FEEL ABOUT YOUR SUCCESS?
I often meet older people who I grew up with and they tell me how proud they are of me. They have so much gratitude about how I’ve put Witbank on the map and they take my success as theirs. That makes me very happy and warms my heart because I mean something to them.
ARE THERE ANY PLANS ON GOING BACK TO SCHOOL?
At the moment, the focus is on my album and getting it released. When I get the chance to go back to school, I want to study music and learn about the industry and one day become a music executive.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON NOW?
I am still at home. I will start working on my album in February, because I’ll be moving to Joburg.
WHICH LABEL ARE YOU SIGNED TO?
I was signed by Kalawa Jazmee! I’m so excited to join one of the country’s biggest record labels. I can’t wait to go to the studio and create music with the best producers and artists.
WHO IS YOUR MUSIC IDOL?
It has to be Rachelle Ferrell. She is the best vocalist I’ve heard in my life. She has set the bar for me – I want to reach her level of perfection. Locally I love Amanda Black, I feel her voice is out of this world and I’m a huge fan.
WHAT GENRE OF MUSIC WILL YOU DO?
I don’t really want to box myself in. I want to explore my voice and talent in all kinds of different sounds. I trust my versatility in music and when I start recording with Oskido, I’ll say what I would love to explore.
WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO COLLABORATE WITH?
There is a song that came out recently by past Idols contestant Loyiso and DJ Zinhle called "Indlovu". After I heard their song, I went crazy and wanted to collaborate with DJ Zinhle, too. DJ Zinhle is part of Kalawa so hopefully we can get a chance to work together, hold thumbs for me.
WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU LOVED THE MOST ABOUT IDOLS?
When I made the top 16, I met my new family. We were so close, you’d swear we weren't in a competition, we would also forget that sometimes. I enjoyed the rehearsals more than anything because it was a chance to be creative and even if you make a mistake, it's okay. It can be fixed and polished before Saturday’s performance.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO POTENTIAL IDOLS CONTESTANTS?
One thing I always tell people who want to be on Idols is keep on going back and don’t lose hope too soon. I was also turned back from pre-auditions, but I tried again and got through the next stage. So, my advice would be to go back again and again until you make it.
FUN Facts: Idols winner prizes are worth R1,5 million and include:
- R1 million;
- R150 000 worth of Samsung products;
- Toyota Starlet 1.4;
- R100 000 worth of fashion from Truworths;
- Kymco Xciting 400 scooter worth R120 000; and
- R80 000 worth of musical instruments from Yamaha.
ZAMA KHUMALO: POWERING HER WAY TO THE TOP
Reviewed by Michelle Pienaar
on
January 26, 2021
Rating:
Reviewed by Michelle Pienaar
on
January 26, 2021
Rating:
