Idols winner Berenike ‘Berry’ Trytsman says she ‘ugly cried’ when she saw her kids for the first time after four months away from home.
The mother of four from Bothasig touched down on Wednesday afternoon and the Daily Voice was there to welcome her home.
On Sunday night Berry won Idols season 17, which saw her walk away with R1 million in cash, sponsored by Old Mutual Money, Samsung, Darling and Mzansi Magic.
She also gets a brand-new car, a Renault Kiger valued at over R269 000, Yamaha music equipment worth R85 000, clothing from Truworths worth R100 000, a Samsung Galaxy Fold 3 cellphone,and from Regenesys Business School, a Bachelor of Business Administration bursary worth R260 000.
“I am extremely happy to be home with my babies. The first thing I did was hug (my kids) and cry ugly when I got home,” she said shortly after surprising her son Deyn, eight, at school.
She adds: “I had to hide from people when I went to fetch him (Deyn) because I didn't want to attract any attention before he saw me.
Speaking from her modest one bedroom home, surrounded by her kids and comfortably dressed in jeans, t-shirt and sloffies, the songbird says she has no plans to relocate and wants to stay in Cape Town to be close to her family.
“I am going to be based in Cape Town otherwise I am going to miss out on a lot with my other two boys,” she says referring to her stepsons.
“I’ll be based in Cape Town and I will fly wherever they need me, but I won't leave home because it’s where my heart is and my kids are here,” she says.
While she has no gigs lined up yet, Berry says she hopes to go on the road soon to thank her fans for all their support.
"I don't have any bookings or appearances yet, but hopefully next week I will make a plan to get out to the fans to thank everyone for their support, she says.”
Her husband Renier, 36, said he is happy to have his wife back home.
"For four months I was a single father," he jokes.
“I’m really proud of Berenike for what she achieved. She worked really hard to get here,” he adds.