Twenty-year old Dewald Louw from Bloemfontein became kykNET’s first Idol on Sunday night (27 August) during the grande finale to this popular TV talent search. For the past three months, viewers were glued to their TV screens as all the drama unfolded while more than 6 500 entrants were gradually cut down to a final three. Dewald, Willem Botha (19) from Riversdal and Alzonia Titus (19) from Great Brak river were the last remaining Idols finalists to battle it out for the title. It was a tough battle, with more than 400 000 votes cast in the last week alone. But it was the boytjie from Bloemfontein who clinched the Idols crown with his strong voice and charismatic stage personality. It was third time lucky for Dewald – he has entered Idols twice before. In 2003 he made it to the Top 32, but last year the judges gave him a no in the very first round of the competition. Sunday night’s show was a stunning affair with performances by previous Idols winners, Karin Kortjé and Anke Pietrangeli. The three finalists also performed three songs each – a judges’ choice, their own choice and a brand new single, selected by the record company, SonyBMG. Each finalist sang a different single – Dewald sang Idol, written by Ghapi; Willem performed Boemerang, written by Idols presenter, Sean Else and Eden member, Johan Vorster; and Alzonia sang Dis my droom, written by Idols judge, Mynie Grové. Dewald will record his single, Idol, this week and it will soon be heard on radio stations across the country. He will also do several media interviews, including Kwêla on kykNET (Wednesday at 20:00) and Egoli – Place of Gold (M-Net on Thursday at 18:00). He walks away with a recording deal from SonyBMG, a Peugeot 206, R50 000 cash from ATKV, a laptop computer from @lantic, a cordless microphone from Shure and a gift pack from Truworths, valued at R10 000. Dewald will be recording his album soon and it is aimed to hit the shelves of music stores before Christmas. Meanwhile the booking requests are already streaming in. Dewald will also perform at the Aardklop Arts Festival in Potchefstroom at the end of September. He will join five other Top 12 Idols finalists – Tracey-Lee, Valeska, Nelda, Jaco and Willem – on stage in an exciting production of sensational singing and excellent entertainment.