By Kgothatso Monono
The Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (FoICT) is celebrating a major success by one of its students, Thandukwazi Mathebula, who has been crowned winner of the Directorate of Extracurricular Development (DED) Idols Season 2, at the Tshwane University of Technology.
Born and raised in Driekoppies, Nkomazi, Mpumalanga - fondly known as the Place of the Rising Sun -Mathebula impressed audiences with his vocal talent, dedication and stage presence, securing the top spot in the competition as its only male contestant.
Currently pursuing a diploma in Informatics, Mathebula has been balancing his academic journey with his passion for music since 2014, drawing inspiration from South African gospel greats like Dumi Mkokstad, Ayanda Ntanzi and Oncemore Six.
Reflecting on his win, he said: 鈥淚t elevates me to a level of recognition that opens doors in the music industry. I had faith, gave it my all and was humbled by the overwhelming support from the audience.鈥�
Despite the challenges of managing his studies and music, Mathebula credits discipline and time management for keeping him on track: weekdays for studies and weekends for music. He also thanked DED for providing platforms that nurture young artists.
Looking ahead, Mathebula hopes to merge his creative talent with his academic knowledge by building a company that bridges both worlds. 鈥淭he sky is not the limit; the only limit is your mind,鈥� he added.
FoICT applauds Mathebula鈥檚 dual success in academics and the arts, hailing him as an inspiration to fellow students to pursue their passions without compromise.
Thandukwazi Mathebula, season 2 DED Idols Soshanguve Campus winner