In the 2000s and 2010s, Idols South Africa was the stage where dreams were made—or so we thought. The show framed winning the televised competition as the ultimate ticket: instant virality, a record deal, and a career set in motion. However, there’s a strange irony to Idols SA. The winners often disappear, while the so-called “also-rans” end up shaping the industry. No story captures this better than Shekhinah’s stable stardom.
Here’s the mind boggle: she didn’t win. In fact, she finished in the top six, and we all know that people rarely remember who won second place. Nevertheless, after over a decade, she remains undeniably one of the most successful artists the show has ever produced. She has carved out not just a career, but a lane where her beautiful voice and storytelling thrive. The way her albums Rose Gold and Trouble in Paradise had us in a chokehold cements her as a voice of a generation. Even so, I still ask myself, “Why her?”
Why Shekhinah? Maybe it’s her story—adopted, resilient, determined. Perhaps it’s her radiant smile, or the way her music makes you feel seen. The truth is: it’s everything. Every part of her being, every note, every choice built the kind of authenticity that no talent search show could package. Without a doubt, she embodies the rare combination of talent, perseverance, and relatability that fuels long-term success. Consequently, this is where we have to give Idols SA a little bit of credit.
The show, as cringeworthy as it was, didn’t hand out recording contracts. Instead, it tested range, demanded flexibility, and put raw talent under necessary pressure. For someone like Shekhinah, it wasn’t a dead-end contest; it was a launchpad. Shekhinah’s journey on the show, her ability to experiment and grow week after week, was part of her artist development. This was on live television, at the crest of Twitter’s popularity. Therefore, she’s familiar with the social pressure to succeed. Fundamentally, we’re missing that right now. It is a reminder of what the industry desperately needs more of today: spaces where young artists can sharpen their craft in public, not just chase a viral moment.
This year, Shekhinah returned with a new album, “Less Trouble”, proving she’s not only relevant but restless in the best way. Teaming up with Moliy, who’s carrying Afrobeats into global spaces, Shekhinah is building bridges across genres and continents. “Spoonky”, her tribute to Jabu Khanyile, features rising Amapiano star Young Stunna. This is yet another reminder of how grounded she is, and her audience appreciates her for it. Ultimately, it’s a reminder that her career isn’t defined by what Idols SA couldn’t give her, but by what she continues to provide us. She reinvents without losing her core, and collaborates without losing her voice.
Should we ???? 😭 https://t.co/UDlNfzsUGC
— SHEKHINAH (@shekhinahd) September 17, 2025
More than ten years on, Shekhinah’s victory is clear. It is not in a golden ticket or a firework-filled finale, but in the way she’s stayed the course when others fell off. She has outlasted the fame game by focusing on the craft. Hence, she stands tall as something Idols SA could never manufacture: an artist who belongs to the people, not just a moment.
The show definitely gave her a stage, but she gave us a legacy. It is for this reason that she deserves more than applause. She deserves her flowers, all of them.
Stream “Less Trouble” Now. Available on all streaming platforms.
