Cape Town has done it again!
Berenike Trytsman, aka Berry, has won Idols SA Season 17 and the Daily Voice joined her family to celebrate their victory.
The singing mom’s four children, her family and church friends gathered to watch the season finale at her brother-in-law Stuart Woodham’s Montevista home on Sunday evening.
The 31-year-old’s husband Renier was with her in Johannesburg.
It is a dream come true for the Berry, who told the Daily Voice she can finally provide her family with a home of their own.
The family of six live with Berry’s mom in a tiny separate entrance in Bothasig.
An emotional Berry told the Daily Voice: “Wow, winning Idols! It’s been an absolute dream. To make something out of singing, to be here accepting the Season 17 winner title is so overwhelming.
“I’m thankful for the support of South Africa. The genuine love coming from everyone. I hope everyone knows how grateful I am.”
Berry got most of the 12 million public votes after going head to head with Karabo Mathe from Pretoria.
The 22-year-old performed her first single - a spiritual offering Hosanna, while Berry impressed with her Zulu single, Ungowami.
For her final act, Berry did Lady Gaga’s Edge of Glory, and had an emotional duet with semifinalist Karabo, performing We Will Never Break by John Legend.
Stuart said they’re happy that she’s won after a difficult period during which both she and her husband had lost their jobs.
“Berry is part of our worship group and I am also her pastor. The church has prayed for her and we trusted God to get her through this,” he said.
There were cheers and tears of joy when Berry was announced the winner, while her eight-year old son Deyn burst into tears seeing his mom on TV.
The emotional little boy said he doesn’t care about the win, all he wants is his mom home.
Berry said she missed her family after not seeing them for four months and looks forward to coming home as the new Idol.
She follows in the footsteps of previous Cape winners Karin Kortje, Jody Williams, Sasha-Lee Davids, Yanga Sobetwa and Paxton Fielies.
Berry wins 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, as well as 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.
An ecstatic Berry adds: “I feel like I’m walking on clouds. I’m forever going to look back and say I had the best supporters in the world. I’ll never forget this moment in time.”