Pro has joined forces with legendary Idolsdirector Gavin Wratten, who has directed all seven seasons of Idols to date and also produced season 6 and 7, to form a new production company called [sic] Entertainment, which will oversee the eighth season.

“Internationally it is not unusual for on-camera talent to be involved with production,” says M-Net communications manager Lani Lombard, citing original American Idol judge Simon Cowell as an example. “Since he joined Idols as a host in season six, ProVerb has displayed an instinctive insight into what it is that makes Idols so special, and he has made a tremendous contribution to the success of the past two record-breaking seasons.

“ProVerb has his finger on the pulse of the local music scene and we're excited about his extended role on the production."

ProVerb, who launched his television career on Channel O, has been a rapper since 1999 achieving success with albums such as The Book of ProVerb, Manuscript, and Write of Passage.

On radio ProVerb was the technical producer of The Fresh Breakfast Show on YFM and The Avenue 3 to 6 with Glen Lewis and Idols judge Unathi on Metro FM, and he can currently be heard on air on 94.7 Highveld Stereo.

He has also hosted two Miss South Africa broadcasts and lectured in TV production and radio at Damelin College. Season eight of Idols is a co-production between M-Net and Mzansi Magic and will be broadcast on both channels from June 2012.

“This time Idols is looking for a funky, cool, versatile singer with soul,” says Lombard. "Someone who has the talent and personality to captivate the imagination of an entire nation."

The first auditions for Idols season eight were held at the Sandton Convention Centre in the heart of Sandton on Saturday, 4 February.

As in previous years, entrants must be at least 16 years old and no older than 30 on the day of their auditions, and all contestants must present a valid I.D. document to enter. A parent or a legal guardian must accompany entrants younger than 18 years of age.

On Saturday, 11 February auditions move to Durban, at uShaka Marine World; on 18 February it’s Cape Town’s turn at the Grand West Casino Entertainment World; and the final auditions for 2012 will take place at the Walter Sisulu Hall in Kliptown, Soweto, on Saturday, 25 February.

Prospective Idols are advised to arrive early to register and to make sure they are available for call-backs over the whole weekend, if necessary.

“If you don’t come and show us what you’re made of, you will never know if you could have made it,” warns ProVerb.

Updates and further information can be found on the official Idols Facebook page at ‘Idols South Africa’, on Twitter @IdolsSA and on the official Idols Season eight website at www.mnet.co.za/idols.