Idols' turns into race war

A RACIAL war has broken out on social networking sites over who should be named the next Idols superstar – the sassy Port Elizabeth-born coloured girl, or the humble black guy from Durban.

While some South Africans want Khaya Mthethwa, 25, to be named the first black Idols winner, Eastern Capers are head- strong that Melissa Allison, 23, should take home the crown. Allison is the first Port Elizabeth contestant to make it to the finals, coincidentally after the Friendly City was eliminated as one of the spots for preliminary auditions to be held.

But while some supporters are rooting for the contestant with the smoothest voice, the majority have proudly based their vote on race, and are not afraid to tweet about it.

One tweeter, purporting to be the loose-tongued ousted ANC Youth League president Julius Malema, has endorsed Mthethwa to be the last man standing, sparking yet another war of words.

"Let's all vote Khaya for Idols SA Season 8 by sending SMS 08 to 37400. He's undeniably the best of all Idols and needs our support,” the user tweeted. South African musician Kabomo responded:

"To find out where to get your R100000 that the generous Julius Malema is giving to each and every citizen of South Africa SMS 08 to 37400.”

Meanwhile, some users are confident Mthethwa will not win Idols simply because he looks too much like Juju. Other black celebs Loyiso Bala, Kuli Roberts and Minnie Dlamini, have also urged the nation to stand behind Mthethwa.

Allison's fans on the other hand have hinted at producers rigging the votes so that a black competitor can win for the first time in eight years.

Hundreds of fans have tried to persuade the public that Allison, being coloured, should be classified as a black contestant and that politics should therefore be thrown out of the window.
Fan Christopher Shining wrote on the Idols Facebook page: "The whole season [of] Idols is rigged ... as they heading off to Mzansi and needed a black person to win. But guess who is going to win ... a coloured person.”

But it is down to the wire for fans of all races and creeds as the ultimate Idols winner will be announced during a live show on M-Net at 7.30 tonight.

Until then, funnyman Trevor Noah's only wish is for all South Africans to show the same enthusiasm when voting in the national elections.